Monthly Archives: August 2023

Konica Minolta Print Xpress digital yatra covers 130 cities

India, 28 July,2023: Konica Minolta’s much-publicized Print Xpress digital yatra of four buses — containing a complete digital press with its workflow — has covered more than 130 cities. The yatra endeavors to complete 150 cities to meet new customers who are learning the benefits of digital production as well as increase brand and product awareness.

As reported earlier by Indian Printer and Publisher, the journey was flagged off in the end of March from Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR. By the latter part of May, the four Print Xpress buses had already reached more than 80 destinations for one-day demonstrations.

Titled “Print Xpress – Innovations in print, the roadshow showcases Konica Minolta’s AccurioPrint C4065 High Chroma Engine production printer, its AccurioPress C73hc, and a print finishing application zone.

Despite various logistics challenges, including the paperwork required for the transport of capital equipment across state lines, there has been considerable enthusiasm for the mobile roadshow in tier 3 and 4 towns and cities where the Print Xpress arrives in the morning, gives demonstrations throughout most of the day, and then heads to the next town or small city.

Konica Minolta says it has observed a shift in the requirement of the print volumes. The printers are also acknowledging the benefits of digital printing in the short run. In tier 1 cities, the interest in digital printing is still increasing. Economic growth across the country is having a positive impact on print consumption in all forms — digital, offset, labels, and packaging.

Progress of the Print Xpress

Manish Gupta, national marketing manager of Konica Minolta India, said the PrintXpress has so far covered more than 130 cities and aims at completing 150 cities. “The journey has been very exciting. We are meeting a lot of new customers who are learning the benefits of digital production printing. We expect this to increase brand and product awareness. We have covered almost all the states with the Print Xpress, including some in the Northeast. The major focus of this voyage is to seek more opportunities for growth while creating awareness. We aim to be the facilitators of the digital transformation that we have envisioned for the future.

Konica Minolta has been continuously expanding its portfolio to cater to the requirements of its customers and new segments such as labels and commercial printing. “Additionally, we have introduced embellishment devices to add eye-catching effects to documents. This has expanded the list of applications that can be done using digital technology. We shall continue to bring in more products into digital printing for the benefit of our customers and to be relevant to the changing dynamics of print requirements and consumption for mutual growth.

The Konica Minolta print Xpress digital yatra

India, 25 May,2023: The Konica-Minolta Print Xpress digital yatra of four buses containing a complete digital press with its workflow and attendant finishing operations was flagged off at the end of March from Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR. In the latter part of May, the four Print Xpress buses had already reached more than 80 destinations for their one-day demonstration. Titled *Print Xpress ~ Innovations in print, the roadshow showcases Konica Minolta’s AccurioPrint C4065 High Chroma Engine production printer, its AccurioPress C73hc, and a print finishing application zone.

Printers and potential customers are invited for demonstrations and down-to-earth explanations of the technology where they can examine the equipment and the finished products. They can ask questions about digital print business opportunities.

The four Print Xpress roadshow buses are expected to reach their target of one hundred towns, including those furthest away from the starting point, by the end of May. Despite various logistics challenges, including the paperwork required for the transport of capital equipment across state lines, there has been considerable enthusiasm for the mobile roadshow in each tier 3 and 4 town where the Print Xpress arrives in the morning, gives demonstrations throughout most of the day, and then trundles on to the next town or small city. In the Print Xpress bus traveling in South India, almost 100 local participants have come to see the demonstrations on a single day in many of the towns.

At Konica-Minolta India’s launch of the Print Xpress in end-March, which coincided with the company’s 150th-anniversary celebration, the company’s managing director for India Katsuhisa Asari said the roadshow – a digital press and finishing plant on wheels – aims to connect with new customers and showcase new business opportunities. “India is huge and so is its print market. This roadshow will touch base with our customers, potential customers, or curious visitors. We aim to educate lier 3 and 4 cities about the possible capabilities with digital print and how incredible their businesses can be with the right application,” Asari said.

Commenting on what he calls the Print Xpress digital yatra, Indian Printer and Publisher’s editor, Naresh Khanna said at the time of its launch, “Listening to printers across the country and interacting with them by demonstrating the latest technology can be a transformational and inspiring voyage of discovery.

For any citizen or company that dares to explore the vast potential of creativity and uses of print that a nation hungry for communication and education possesses, there is bound to be a great reward of learning. These lively interactions will enhance the power of print and democratize the business ~ creating livelihoods. The Print Xpress digital yatra will engender access to ideas, education, and technology. Print helped to bring freedom to the nation and it is essential to use it more widely to continue to build prosperity and a scientific temper.

How digital printing’s efficiency contributes to sustainability

India, 28 June,2023: Publishing on paper, logos on labels, agendas on Ads, and graphics on gravures may never go out of style. Businesses bank on print, even today. Thanks to the power of visual recall, when the written word is allowed to attain physicality on paper, it elicits cognizance, attention, and gravity, which is hard to match by a screen. Printing remains a preferred process in business processes, even when tasks are maintained and managed digitally. So, how does that marry into businesses’ ESG compliance?

The solution lies in understanding the chain of sustainability, and how it does not begin and end with the usage of paper. Moving forth from the necessity of paper and other derivative substrates in carrying print, there lie other avenues of sustainability optimization in the entire printing process.

Digital Printers solve the problem of printing sustainably. What should be measured in the metric are micro technologies inside it, which work in tandem to create an efficient and environmentally safe output that results in a positive total product lifecycle. The engineering behind digital printing creates sustainable results.

Energy conservation and plate elimination

Digital printing offers a sustainable alternative to offset printing, which is inefficient for short print runs. Unlike offset printing’s use of metal plates, digital printing employs electrostatic rollers known as ‘drums’ to apply toner and achieve vibrant color on the paper. By eliminating the need for metal plates, digital printers significantly conserve energy and minimize environmental impact. Additionally, the toners used in digital printing form a surface layer on the paper, preventing bleeding and enabling printing on diverse materials, including packaging, plastics, fabrics, and metal foils.

One study by a leading print solutions manufacturer says, “It (Digital Printer) reduces environmental impact significantly, with a 57% reduction in electricity usage compared to conventional screen-printing. In addition, it helps save energy for operations such as air conditioning and lighting by increasing customers’ production efficiency.

No wastage of paper + no drying time

Offset printers often require wasteful practices such as using an initial set of paper to warm up the ink and running successive sheets with the same print image. In contrast, digital printing allows for individualized output, thus reducing waste and avoiding the need for minimum order quantities. That allows publishers to tailor output for individual markets, without having to commit to an MOQ that runs their books to the red.

Flexographic (offset) printers have long setups and constant running waste, often higher than 15%. That means that for every order of labels produced, 15% more is just thrown in the trash.

What is economical is ecological

Digital printing eliminates the energy-intensive and capital-heavy process of creating aluminum plates required in offset printing. The infrastructural setup of offset printing drives up costs and setup time, making it economically viable only at scale. On the other hand, digital printing offers a quick setup, utilizing digitized copies of images and minimizing energy consumption for small print jobs. This results in a quicker turnaround time, which allows minimized energy utilization for small-run print jobs.

Manufacturers are focusing on making the substrates sustainable by using recycled paper, which cuts down waste even further. Leading suppliers now provide a wide range of options, including FSC-certified materials, 100% post-consumer waste materials, PLA (corn-based) alternatives, recyclable materials, biodegradable options, and even substrates that are free from traditional tree-based sources.

Key takeaway

By eliminating metal plates, reducing wastage, and offering quick setup, digital printers provide an environment-friendly alternative to traditional printing methods, both for publishing and corporate needs. Manufacturers are actively developing sustainable substrates to further minimize waste. To embrace sustainability in printing, organizations should leverage technology and prioritize conscious sustainability practices throughout their operations. The transition to digital printing empowers businesses to achieve their ESG compliance goals while working in the ideal intersection of economically and environmentally viable.

How Eco Printing reduces carbon emissions and Helps in saving the Environment

India, 24 July,2023: Sustainability in recent years has become a hot topic for all boardroom discussions across the globe. Whether it’s a large organization or an SME, businesses across all verticals are either already in the process of investing or looking for methods that assist them in achieving their sustainability goal.

In the backdrop of this ongoing trend, the printing industry as well has changed its way of working. There are multiple areas where businesses can make changes and ensure they are on the right path toward achieving their sustainability target. Whether it is wastage, carbon footprint, or the type of materials, organisations in this segment use – these all can be reduced so that the firm can operate in a more environment-friendly way. One of the most crucial and underrated areas/components in any organisation is its printer.

Even though the majority of businesses in the post-pandemic times have already digitalised their large chunk of operations, printers continue to play a vital role in their smooth functioning. In 2021, the value of the print industry across India was over 225 billion rupees, and the report suggests that the numbers will exceed 250 billion rupees by 2024. However, the industry will still take some time to reach the pre-pandemic levels, i.e., 296 billion rupees in 2019.

The positive outlook brings a wave of relief and positivity to all participants in the printing industry. However, there still looms a threat, especially from the sustainability angle. So, how can the industry overcome the rapidly evolving scenario? The answer lies in making printing eco-friendly.

One of the ways to achieve it is by using materials that are produced from renewable energy. This primarily includes paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and inks that are made from plant-based material. Additionally, using recycled paper can greatly cut down the environmental impact of printing, as it minimises the need for virgin materials and the energy required to produce them.

Additionally, using sustainable materials and digital printing can also reduce their overall environmental impact. For instance, companies can use digital printing methods, such as online printing services and document management software, to trim down the amount of paper they use. It is worth mentioning that some of the leading Print Service Providers (PSPs) are finding solutions and technologies that support the printing/graphics industry as it shifts to a more sustainable future.

Today, digital printing uses inkjet or toner-based printing technology to produce a wide range of high-quality prints with a minimal environmental impact. This is because digital printing does not require the use of traditional printing plates, which can generate a large amount of waste. Additionally, digital printing uses less energy than traditional offset printing, which results in lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Another non-conventional printing method used by PSPs and print converters is variable data printing (VDP). It enables businesses to provide personalization of each printed piece, which can be beneficial in reducing the amount of waste generated during the printing process. With the presence of VDP and digital printing, PSPs today are positioned better to provide tailored assistance to the customer, which automatically slashes the need for reprints or discarded materials.

Finally, assisting environmentalists and governments in reducing carbon emissions is the need of the hour. The printing industry can take the rising global temperature as a nature’s slap on the wrist. Therefore, it is imperative to bring boardroom conversations and targets into reality. The big question remains, from where to start? Businesses in the space can begin by encouraging their employees and peers to recycle paper, cardboard, and other office waste. Using sustainable materials, energy-efficient equipment/machine, and sustainable printing practices can help to minimize the environmental impact of printing while also reducing costs and improving efficiency. By working together, the industry can create a difference, making the future of the printing industry more sustainable.

Konica Minolta India Hosts Annual Strategic Partner Conference 2023, Focusing on Tech Innovations and Growth

• ‘Powering Growth’ Theme Inspires Over 170+ Partners to Connect and Collaborate

• Konica Minolta Management Shares Strategies for Sustaining Growth and Building Strong Relationships with Partners

India(New Delhi), 16 May,2023: Konica Minolta India, a leader in providing digital transformation solutions and services, recently hosted its Annual strategic Partner Conference at Alila Diwa, Goa. The event was centred around the theme of “Powering Growth” and featured dialogues on the latest tech innovations in the industry and their potential to be scaled to Konica Minolta’s realm of operations.

The conference, held on April 24th, 2023, provided a platform for over 170+ partners from across India to connect, discuss the latest trends in the industry, and share their vision for the future. During the session, the Konica Minolta management team communicated their strategy to sustain the growth path of the company and add more power to the growth path as a family. The session covered dialogues around the latest tech interventions in the industry, providing partners with insights into the latest industry trends.

Speaking about the annual partner conference and its importance for the brand, Mr. Katsuhisa Asari Managing Director of Konica Minolta India said, ” Partners are the backbone of the company. We are always eager to connect with our valued Partner Community to understand their unique challenges and opportunities. The conference provides a platform for us to connect with our partners, understand the latest industry trends, and share our vision for the future. We are committed to providing our partners with the latest cutting-edge solutions and services, as well as building stronger relationships, to create a better future for the industry.”

During the conference, partners were also felicitated for their achievements, recognizing the important role they play in Konica Minolta’s growth journey. The partners also aligned with the company’s growth strategy and shared their commitment to achieving new heights as a family.

The event witnessed over 170+ partners from across geographies in PAN India, making it a great success for Konica Minolta India. This conference was an opportunity for Konica Minolta India to strengthen its relationship with its partners and take the collaboration to the next level.

Konica Minolta India installs AccurioJet KM1e Industrial Printer at JB Khanna Pictures

The state-of-the-art AccurioJet KM1e Press to streamline production process and boost efficiency for JB Khanna Pictures.

India, 10 May,2023: Konica Minolta Business Solutions India has announced the installation of its AccurioJet KM1e Press at JB Khanna Pictures, the printing company known for its impactful visual communication production. This marks Konica Minolta’s latest addition of AccurioJet KM1e in the Indian market for the first time.

The KM1e LED UV inkjet Press is a state-of-the-art solution that utilizes advanced technology to provide high-quality prints on a variety of surfaces. With its speed, accuracy, and versatility, our machine is ideal for industrial and commercial applications, enabling companies to streamline their printing processes and improve their productivity.

Commenting on this special occasion, Mr. Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director of Konica Minolta India, said, “It gives me immense pleasure to announce our collaboration with JB Khanna Pictures, and we are delighted to bring the AccurioJet KM1e to India. As a leader in industrial, commercial, and packaging solutions in the B2C segment, we understand the need for advanced printing technology, and our latest addition to the Indian market is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence.

We firmly believe that the AccurioJet KM1e will revolutionize the printing industry in India and streamline the processes for our Indian partners. With its speed, accuracy, and versatility, this machine has the potential to transform the way they approach printing and achieve their business goals more efficiently and effectively.

At Konica Minolta, we are committed to provide the highest quality products and services to our customers. We are confident that this collaboration will be a long and successful one, and we look forward to working closely with them to achieve their printing goals.

To mark the installation of the AccurioJet KM1e, JB Khanna Pictures organized an on-site event at their Chennai facility on April 30th, 2023. The event showcased the advanced capabilities of the machine, emphasizing its potential impact on their business. Attendees were treated to a demonstration of the state-of-the-art technology, which left them impressed and inspired. Overall, it was a successful event that highlighted the benefits of this cutting-edge solution for industrial and commercial printing needs.

JB Khanna Pictures pioneers in the application areas of religious pictures, images of national leaders, Sceneries, and variety of wall décor designs. Company operates with more than 5000 active dealers PAN India and number is growing. Company takes pride by stating that every house in India will have minimum one picture printed at JB Khanna Pictures.

Commenting on this occasion, Mr. Rajesh Khanna, Director, JB Khanna Pictures, said, “We are pleased to announce our partnership with Konica Minolta for our printing needs. As a printing company that values innovation and quality, we are excited to have found a like-minded partner in Konica Minolta.

The AccurioJet KM1e is the machine that has already shown great promise in revolutionizing the printing industry. We are thrilled to see the benefits it will bring to our production process, enabling us to deliver even more impactful visual communication to our clients.
We are confident that our partnership with Konica Minolta will be a fruitful and long-lasting one.

Konica Minolta Inida Brings Enrichments To it’s Managed Content Solutions Offering

India, 17 April,2023: Konica Minolta India, a prominent provider of digital transformation solutions and services, continues to support businesses in transitioning from paper-based systems to seamless digital solutions and services. As part of this commitment, the company has announced major enrichments to its Managed Content Services (MCS) portfolio to provide features with low-code automation capabilities, aimed at empowering Indian firms to improve their Document life-cycle management and Business Process Management (BPM).

Konica Minolta India, through their MCS offerings, leverages its unified enterprise-wide solutioning platforms and adds value through its consultation-based approach to tailor make solutions to fit their customer’s business requirements. With their current enrichments, the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) mode of deployment can be leveraged by organisations looking to accelerate their Digital Transformation journey with minimal hassle and quicker ROI. To ensure secured cloud deployments, these solutions are hosted in Tier-4 datacentres meeting the best of industry standards.

Speaking about the anticipated launch Mr. Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta India, said, ” At Konica Minolta, we are always eager to gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges our clients face to enhance productivity. After comprehending their content management and utilization requirements, we are delighted to introduce our unique software to the Indian market. MCS offerings can propel our clients ahead, with its out-of-the-box offerings in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. In the normal course of their operations, our clients receive documents in various formats, including hard copies and electronic versions, from multiple locations. At this juncture, MCS assumes a vital role in structuring the content in an organized manner, enabling them to optimise their workflows and achieve their objectives with greater efficiency.”

With its “low-code/no-code” process designer, rapid implementation and flexibility is the new norm that ultimately leads to an Intelligent Connected Workplace.

To further enable Rapid Implementation, Konica Minolta has biz-out-of-the-box accelerator for popular industry use cases like Accounts Payable automation, Contracts Life-cycle Management, Vendor Onboarding, Talent Acquisition and so on.

The modular design provides flexibility in terms of overall solutioning, deployment and pricing. Through these offerings, Konica Minolta will lead towards a Green Digital Transformation which is also aligned to their global sustainability goals where they aim to be ‘Carbon Minus’ by 2050. Ultimately, enrichments to its solutioning platform will aid Konica Minolta in serving their customers better leading to an efficient and paperless workplace.

Pamex 2023: Konica Minolta showcases its range of offering

At Pamex 2023, held at the Bombay Exhibition Center on 27-30 March, Konica Minolta showcased its printers to existing and potential customers and resellers.

India, 14 April,2023: Konica Minolta used the event as an opportune moment to showcase its offerings, including industrial and professional printers; in industrial printers, AccurioLabel 230, AccurioShine 3600, along with its digital die-cutting solutions and in professional printers, AccurioPress C12000 with IQ-501.

Konica Minolta emphasised the extensive benefits of its digital press, the Accurio Label 230, for its customers regarding productivity, flexibility, and stability to meet growing market needs. Overall, the company showcased six sheetfed professional printers and three industrial printers along with finishing accessories, to make pre-press to post-press setup with ample business opportunities in the printing market.

Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta India, said, “We are delighted to receive such a positive response from all potential businesses in the region. The exhibition has given us an insight into how Konica Minolta is enabling businesses in the printing segment to expand their operations. At the same time, it has given us a new viewpoints/areas in which we can develop and modify our products that further assist our user base.

He added, “We, at Konica Minolta India, believe that trust is the best medium to grow success. In tandem with this as our core value, we have well-positioned ourselves in providing office automation and digital printing solutions that aid us in bolstering our credibility amongst our esteemed partners and resellers. With our solutions and products, we are committed to assisting businesses in achieving their sustainability target.”

Konica Minolta also demonstrated their AccurioShine 3600 and AccurioPress C12000 as tools for digital label production. The AccurioShine 3600 is a pioneering technology that customers could use for building 2D and 3D gloss effects on its products. With customisation and personalisation at the forefront of Konica Minolta’s offerings, the company cater to the ever-growing demand for tailored printing solutions that enable customers to address the increasingly complex requirements of modern-day printing.

Konica Minolta India bags the ‘Prestigious Brands of Asia’ accolade

India (New Delhi), 6 April,2023: Konica Minolta, a leading name in offering multifunctional printers, has been accorded the Prestigious Brands of Asia by Brand Advertising Research & Consulting Pvt. Ltd. (BARC) under the category of providing exceptional printing solutions. The accolade was presented to Konica Minolta in an event held at Sheraton Abu Dhabi on the 28th of February 2023. This significant honour is a testament to their strong dedication to providing cutting-edge technological solutions in the printing industry.

The “Prestigious Brand of Asia” recognition is one of the most coveted accolades in the industry and is proof of a brand’s commitment to excellence and innovation. Konica Minolta India has proven the ability to deliver exceptional products and services to meet the needs and expectations of the customers, has bagged this prestigious accolade.

Expressing his delight on this momentous occasion, Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director of Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., said, “This is a moment of immense pride for the entire family of Konica Minolta. It marks a pivotal juncture in our corporate journey and serves as a testament to our dedicated efforts toward delivering cutting-edge solutions to our clients. We take immense pride in our ability to curate tailored solutions for all our esteemed partners and clients and have been serving them for over the course of a decade. We remain resolute in our pursuit of excellence, personalising solutions and our continued relevance in the marketplace.

Konica Minolta India holds more than 50 per cent market share in the production printing domain and offers the most comprehensive product portfolio from pre-press to post-press. The company outshined in every segment – Production, industrial, and office printing. With customization and personalization at the forefront of Konica Minolta’s offerings and having bagged this prestigious award, they continue to cater to the ever-growing demand for tailored printing solutions that enable customers to address the increasingly complex requirements of modern-day printing.

Konica Minolta’s ‘Print Xpress’ initiative aims to attract potential printing businesses

Konica Minolta flags off 4 Print Xpress coaches to demonstrate production printing solutions to potential customers in India’s T2, T3, and T4 towns

India, 21 March,2023: Promoting Konica Minolta’s 150-year legacy, Konica Minolta India recently flagged off its first mobile roadshow platform titled ‘Print Xpress – Innovations in Print’ in the presence of Katsuhisa Asari, managing director; Kuldeep Malhotra, deputy managing director and senior leadership members of the company.

The one-of-a-kind roadshow showcased Konica Minolta’s production printer AccurioPrint C4065 High Chroma Engine – AccurioPress C73hc and finished Print Application Zone to educate customers for new business opportunities in the digital print business.

The core objective to launch this innovative platform is to connect with new customers and showcase new business possibilities to the existing players and also to new entrants in the digital production printing space.

As part of the Print Xpress, four coaches carrying the digital presses set out to travel in all four directions while demonstrating their usage to potential and existing customers. The roadshow started from Greater Noida and is aimed to cover the T2, T3 and T4 towns like Meerut, Gorakhpur, Samastipur, Tezpur, Ranipet, Karwar, and Kavali among others, focusing on customers and unfrequented locations.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Katsuhisa Asari, managing director of Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, said, We are excited to launch Print Xpress, our latest initiative to expand our reach and introduce our advanced printing technologies to the customers. We look forward to meeting new customers during this nationwide show. We are proud to pioneer innovative solutions and services in India’s printing, imaging, and document management industries. We are committed to helping our customers to achieve more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable workflows. We will continue to strive for excellence in everything we do.

Print Xpress is the first initiative in the digital production printing domain wherein modified coaches are used to exhibit our solutions to a wide array of potential customers, including jobbers, photo lab owners, print businesses, and creative agencies, residing in different cities and towns. As an industry leader, we hold more than 50% market share and offer the most comprehensive product portfolio from pre-press to post-press.

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way’ – Print Xpress is the perfect example to showcase our commitment towards reaching and educating new potential customers and existing businesses to start and grow. In the last 12 years, we as a leading brand grew multi-fold,” said, Kuldeep Malhotra, deputy managing director, sales and OP marketing division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India.