Amar Ujala, a leading Hindi newspaper publisher with 22 editions reaching 179 districts in 6 states and 2 union territories, has diversified to commercial print through Impressions Printing and Packaging. To strengthen its presence in the segment, Amar Ujala is revamping its commercial printing division in Noida with significant upgrades in technology, productivity, and resources.
According to Rakesh Singh, operation head at Impressions, the company has set a revenue target of ₹150 crore for this financial year and aims to scale up to ₹500 crore over the next five years. “Our focus is on building a niche customer base, especially in the inkjet digital printing sector, catering to those seeking short-run high-quality print.”
The revamp, therefore, focuses not just on upgrading machinery but also on creating an infrastructure that will support Impressions in delivering superior quality, faster turnaround, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
A major highlight of the transformation is the first installation of a new inkjet web press from Founder Electronics in India. Technova, distributor of the Founder inkjet web press provided technical support in the press installation process in Amar Ujala. The monochrome inkjet, roll-to-sheet press boasts specifications of 150 meters a minute and a resolution of 1200 dpi, which Singh suggests, is a first in the market. “Through this revamp, we aim to be listed among the top publisher-printers in India. We are not only increasing our capabilities but also setting new benchmarks in the printing industry.”
This investment is specifically aimed at serving the growing demand for short-run print, catering to small publishers, self-publishers, and customers who require high-quality prints on a limited scale. “With this new press, we’re able to tap into a unique market segment that prioritizes quality over volume,” Singh noted.
In the basement of Amar Ujala‘s new building in Noida, the new press is housed in an area dedicated to digital printing operations. This space will be equipped with post-press equipment, ensuring that Impressions Printing and Packaging can offer end-to-end solutions to its clients. “One-stop solution for the entire printing need.”
Singh revealed plans for significant investments in pre-press and post-press. “Our vision is to fully automate the infrastructure. Automation will help us minimize errors, reduce manual intervention, and enable us to deliver on time, every time,” he said. The new commercial printing space will house the entire workflow, including the Founder digital inkjet press and Bindwel’s automated bookbinding solutions.
To streamline operations, Impressions Printing and Packaging has invested in Apogee Software, a comprehensive pre-press workflow and automation tool. According to Singh, this software, supplied by Technova to automate the prepress workflow, will be pivotal in automating the entire printing process, from pre-press to final delivery. “With Apogee, we can estimate delivery times for each printing job with precision. This level of automation not only improves workflow but also allows us to optimize our production schedules, ensuring timely deliveries,” Singh explained.
In addition to advancements in pre-press, the commercial print division is focusing on automating its post-press. Bindwel’s automated bookbinding solutions enable faster and more accurate binding processes and are expected to play a crucial role in delivering high-quality finished products, whether it is books, magazines, or other printed materials. “Our new cutting and binding equipment for the digital commercial printing operation ensures that our customers receive a fully finished product with minimal delays and the highest quality standards,” Singh added.
The company has a common pre-press facility for its newspapers and commercial print equipped with design software and Kodak and Agfa CTPs for the offset plates.
Why inkjet
As the printing industry increasingly shifts toward short-run jobs, Singh sees inkjet technology as a key growth area in India. “The inkjet press we are investing in, along with the results these presses will deliver, is exactly what the market needs right now,” Singh remarked. He highlights the inkjet press as a game-changer, particularly for small publishers seeking high-quality, short-run printing solutions, suggesting that inkjet technology is not only highly efficient but also cost-effective for book production – offering a significant advantage over traditional printing methods for smaller-scale projects.
Emphasizing the continued development of inkjet technology, he says it will play a critical role in shaping the future of India’s book printing industry. He envisions technological advances will open up new opportunities for printers and publishers alike, offering faster turnaround times and more flexible production options. “We are positioning ourselves to be at the forefront of this change,” he adds, expressing confidence that Impressions Printing and Packaging will become the go-to solution for short-run, high-quality printing, especially in the growing Indian book publishing market.
Packaging plant in Jammu
In addition to the new commercial print setup in Noida, Amar Ujala is investing ₹50 crore in a packaging plant in Jammu. With both monocarton and flexible packaging, the new plant is to become operational in January 2025. Singh emphasized that sustainability will be a central focus of this plant.
“The new packaging plant in Jammu will be equipped with all the necessary certifications for pharma and food packaging, ensuring we meet the highest industry standards,” Singh said.
Looking ahead, Amar Ujala has plans to expand its commercial printing capabilities at the Jammu plant to serve the publication needs of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and other northern areas. This will be achieved with the installation of a cold set web offset press, further enhancing their service offerings. The organization has several other commercial printing units and packaging plants in the pipeline, which are part of the company’s broader expansion strategy across the country. “We are investing heavily in these segments and are very optimistic about the future,” Singh remarked.
