Author Archives: Konica Minolta

Ludhiana’s Waka Digital gets AccurioPress C4080

India, 14 April,2025: Situated at Ludhiana’s Dholewal Chowk near Manju Cinema Hall, Waka Digital, a veteran photo album maker, has significantly enhanced its photo album printing capacity by installing a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C4080 digital production press.

Established in 1988, the printer offers a variety of products, including photo albums, photo frames, pamphlets, and calendars. It also works extensively for the apparel industry, providing DtF printing on textiles and labels and tags for packaging.

In a conversation with Indian Printer & Publisher, Paramveer Singh said his father Haridayal Singh set up the business as a photo color lab for wedding photography and albums. He explained how photos were earlier printed using films, bromide paper, and chemistry in dark rooms in a highly skill-dependent process that slowly embraced automation. “We are pioneers in photo albums and the first to install a Noritsu QSS 3000 for developing pictures in 2005. However, the photo album-making scenario was revolutionized by digital printing.”

Ludhiana-Waka-Digital

Waka Digital’s AccurioPress C4080 is an all-in-one print production machine, with features that efficiently manage workflow and print output. The digital press offers the flexibility of 2-sided printing of sheets up to 34 inches long with excellent image quality at resolutions up to 3600 X 2400 dpi and on substrates from 62 to 360 gsm.

Although Ludhiana is still developing, Singh says the wedding album market is witnessing a downward trend. “We kept adding value to our wedding album products over the years with technology and premium finishing. However, photographic services, which have been our core, saw more opportunities with sample booklet printing for the garment industry. We have many hosiery manufacturers as our regular customers and they demand printed samples of how the clothing will look when worn. We do the photography and printing, which they distribute to their customers.”

Waka Digital is witnessing growth. In addition to photo printing, it has diversified its products to include photos, frames, calendars, DtF printing, and customized jobs for its customers. “The calendar business is another strong sales point for us.

We get many corporate and customized orders and personalized calendars are growing. Personalization is gaining attention as businesses are focusing on branding and marketing. We are receiving orders from schools for prospectuses and class pictures,” Singh elaborates.

To add to the versatility of its products, the company owns a Canon image PROGRAF Pro-546 large-format inkjet printer. Waka Digital utilizes the large-format printer for glowing signboards, usually for temples, religious events, and local events. Some of the orders are for large framed pictures. It currently outsources digital embellishment, foiling, and spot UV enhancements.

The company plans to add an MGI digital embellishment machine from Konica Minolta to provide customers with all solutions under one roof. Singh feels that being a one-stop provider will benefit the business with enhanced efficiency and bring more growth opportunities.

Konica Minolta India hits hat-trick with Prestigious Brands of Asia recognition

-Patparganj Industrial Area, Delhi-based Unity Ads & Print has recently invested in a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C12000.

India, 04 April,2025: Konica Minolta Business Solutions India has been recognized as one of the ‘Prestigious Brands of Asia’ for the third consecutive time, completing a remarkable hat-trick of this distinguished honor. The recognition was presented at the Global Business Symposium 2025, at the Amari Bangkok Hotel in Thailand. Additionally, the marketing team of Konica Minolta Business Solutions India received the coveted ‘Marketing Meister Award 2024-25’ at the same event.”

The ‘Prestigious Brands of Asia’ recognition is awarded to super driven brands that have performed consistently and have redefined the benchmarks of their industries, establishing their presence across the Asian markets. This prestigious listing, conceived by Herald Global & ERTC Media, celebrates organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance and innovation in their respective fields.

“We are proud to announce that Konica Minolta Business Solutions India has been recognised as the ‘Prestigious Brands of Asia’ for the third consecutive time, completing our hat-trick. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the printing solutions industry,” said Katsuhisa Asari, managing director at Konica Minolta Business Solution India. “We are equally delighted that our Marketing Team has received the ‘Marketing Meister Award 2024-25,’ recognizing their exceptional strategies and execution that have strengthened our market presence across India.”

Asia-recognition

The Marketing Meister Award is a special honor that celebrates and felicitates exemplary marketing personalities of top leading companies across Asia. This recognition highlights the creativity, strategic thinking, and effectiveness of Konica Minolta India’s marketing initiatives in communicating the company’s value propositions to its diverse customer base.

The Global Business Symposium 2025 was a prestigious event that saw top dignitaries from across Thailand and Asia in attendance. The ceremony was inaugurated in the presence of notable Thai dignitaries, setting a high-spirited tone for the recognition of outstanding individuals and brands that have made significant contributions to their respective industries.

Unity Ads & Print invests in AccurioPress

-Patparganj Industrial Area, Delhi-based Unity Ads & Print has recently invested in a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C12000.

India, 14 March,2025: Azam Fareedi, owner and proprietor of Unity Ads & Print, said, “We have been using Konica Minolta’s AccurioPress 6120 for the past two and a half years, and while it efficiently handled our monochrome printing needs, we found that a significant portion of our colour printing work was being outsourced. This led to reduced control over quality and timelines, and, in some cases, even loss of clients to external print vendors.”

To address this challenge and boost its business profitability, the company decided to invest in Konica Minolta’s AccurioPress C12000. “This strategic upgrade has enabled us to offer high-quality in-house color printing, enhance efficiency, and provide faster turnaround times for our clients,” Fareedi said.

He added, “Regarding training and support, we have maintained a strong connection with Konica Minolta’s engineering team, which has been instrumental in ensuring smooth machine operation and regular updates. Additionally, since our operators were already familiar with the AccurioPress 6120, the transition to the C12000 was seamless, requiring only minor hands-on training provided by Konica Minolta’s team.”

Unity-Ads-Print-invests

The company has a well-equipped in-house setup that integrates printing, binding, and finishing solutions to ensure high-quality output. The facility includes Konica Minolta’s AccurioPress C12000 for colour digital printing and three AccurioPress 6120 for high-volume monochrome production. To further enhance capacity, the company plans to invest in the C12000/C14000 series.

For finishing, it utilises Stahl’s folding machine for brochures and booklets, German binding machines, Polar and Schneider cutting machines, and a Schneider sewing machine for bookbinding. Its thermal lamination setup (up to 45-inch) ensures premium print finishes.

“With continuous investment in advanced technology, we are committed to delivering precision-driven, large-scale corporate printing solutions,” Fareedi said.

Unity Ads & Print began its journey in 2005 under the name Unity Computers & Advertisers. Over time, it expanded its services and embraced new technologies, and rebranded as Unity Ads & Print to better reflect its growing capabilities.

The company’s clientele spans across retail, corporate, and educational sectors. It primarily caters to corporate clients, including MNCs, Japanese, and Singaporean companies, providing high-quality marketing materials such as brochures for events. In the education sector. It works extensively with schools, JEE, and NEET coaching institutes, supplying printed study materials. “Our expertise in digital printing allows us to serve a wide range of businesses with customised print solutions tailored to their needs,” Fareedi said.

The company has a dedicated team of 20-22 professionals, including designers, machine operators, and marketing personnel. Our workforce comprises four skilled machine operators who ensure seamless production, along with a marketing team that focuses on client engagement and business growth.

Fareedi said, “The AccurioPress C12000 was installed three months ago, and we have already seen a strong ROI. Having been in the business for years, we understand our client demands, and the C12000 has significantly boosted our production efficiency.”

He added, “Within a month, we produce approximately 2.5 lakh prints, demonstrating the machine’s high-volume capabilities and its ability to meet our growing customer requirements. The investment is proving to be highly profitable, allowing us to retain existing clients, attract new business, and scale operations effectively.”

MR Print See Growth in digital embellishment market

-Delhi printer installs AccurioShine 3600 from Konica Minolta.

India, 04 March,2025: Delhi’s MR Print, a commercial printer and packaging provider in the Naraina Industrial Area, which recently made a shift toward digital, is growing with the installation of a Konica Minolta AccurioShine 3600. The printer sees growth in high-quality marketing materials, premium packaging, luxury-finish wedding cards, corporate gifting, and other niche applications.

Proprietor Vishal Sharma said, “Our first step into the digital printing world was marked by the installation of our first Konica Minolta production printer. In April 2024, we decided to venture into the digital embellishment market by installing the Konica Minolta AccurioShine 3600. The growing demand for premium printing solutions, especially for wedding albums, photo books, and marketing materials, motivated us to take this step.”

He says he opted for the AccurioShine 3600 because it perfectly complements his vision of diversifying services. “Its ability to add premium embellishments, such as foil and spot UV finishes allows us to cater to high-value clientele and deliver unmatched quality. We have confidence in Konica Minolta’s technology and the support they provided throughout our journey. Their innovative solutions have empowered us to grow and excel in the digital embellishment segment,” he adds.

Delhi-Printers

On business, he says, “Our expertise lies in high-quality digital printing. With the addition of the AccurioShine 3600, we offer digital embellishment services, enabling us to provide foil and spot UV finishes that enhance the appeal of premium products for our clients. The press has been a game-changer. It opened up new business opportunities in the digital embellishment market and allowed us to meet the demand for premium printing solutions.”

He says MR Print aims to elevate its service portfolio by offering premium embellishment options. “This investment is helping us attract new customers while also increasing the value we deliver to our existing clients. Our aim is to elevate our service portfolio by offering premium embellishment options. This investment is helping us attract new customers while also increasing the value we deliver to our existing clients.”

The Konica Minolta Accuriolabel 230: A Smart Choice for Entry-Level Printers

India, 28 February,2025: At PrintPack India 2025, Konica Minolta showcased the AccurioLabel 230, a state-of-the-art label printing solution designed for customers looking to diversify their offerings in the printing industry. This innovative technology enables businesses to enhance their capabilities and explore new market opportunities in label production, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to expand their services.

The AccurioLabel 230 is a digital label printing system offering enhanced productivity, job flexibility, operability and excellent image quality with an affordable system cost. It is a ‘Perfect Fit’ for business expansion and parallel use with existing analog machines.The unique toner technology gives good light fastness, excellent colour gamut all with a high lustre finish.

Manish Gupta, National Marketing Manager – PP & IP, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. said “Digital printing is experiencing significant growth within the overall segment, attracting interest from a diverse range of customers, including offset printers, traditional converters, and label manufacturers. This trend highlights the importance of diversification as a valuable addition to any business. As digital printing gains acceptance among customers, they are increasingly recognizing the advantages of having in-house capabilities. The variety of options now available, such as embellishments, allows businesses to better meet their needs and enhance their offerings.”

Entry-Level-Printers

The AccurioLabel 230 is the 3rd re-design of Konica Minolta’s popular label series of toner-based printers. The new design offers speed improvement on tack papers and tack films with a maximum print speed of 76ft/min, shorter warm-up times, and an optional over-print kit enabling additional capabilities of running pre-printed media. The new AL230 also incorporates improvements to it’s GM winder and un-winder that include: air chuck control for trouble-free handling of roll material, pre and post area access lights for improved viewing of web path and updated tension control for automatic tension settings during label runs.

“When considering print quality, both the AccurioLabel 230 and AccurioLabel 400 deliver equivalent results. However, the distinction lies in their production capabilities and available options. The AccurioLabel 400 includes white ink options, making it ideal for customers seeking versatile applications with white or base colors as white. It also boasts enhanced production capacity and higher speeds. At PrintPack, we’ve chosen to exhibit the AccurioLabel 230, catering to commercial printers who are exploring the label segment. This provides them an opportunity to start with the 230 and later transition to the advanced AccurioLabel 400 as their needs grow.” Manish Conculdes.

Konica Minolta makes a strong statement at Printpack 2025

-Print provider unveils AccurioPress C14010S, a CMYK+White digital press.

India, 17 February,2024 Konica Minolta made a strong statement at Printpack 2025, unveiling its latest digital printing innovations and reaffirming its leadership in the market. Katsuhisa Asari and Manish Gupta of Konica Minolta shared insights on the company’s participation and technological advancements at the event.

Asari said Printpack India ranks among the world’s top three print exhibitions, following drupa and Printpack China. Konica Minolta secured its exhibition space as early as May 2024, recognising the importance of the event in showcasing advanced digital printing technology.

strong-statement-Printpack-2025

The company’s flagship launch at the exhibition was the AccurioPress C14010S, a CMYK+White digital press set to be commercially available in Q2 FY25 (July- September). This early showcase underscores the company’s commitment to staying ahead of industry trends. The C14010S is designed to enhance printing versatility, particularly for labels, high-end gifting, and short-run packaging applications, supporting media sizes up to 13 x 51 inches.

Gupta emphasised that Konica Minolta’s aim is to encourage commercial printers to embrace digital transformation, exploring new avenues such as embellishment, book printing, and labels. He noted that demand for transparent media printing, particularly in cosmetics and pharmaceutical labelling, has been a key driver behind the development of the CMYK+White technology.

Strong industry response and market outlook

The industry response to the new digital press has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 200 visitors-predominantly existing Konica Minolta customers- attending the showcase on the opening day. “Many of our customers are looking to upgrade their machines after five to seven years of usage, and this product provides a strong investment opportunity,” Asari said.

Globally, Konica Minolta has maintained a leading position in digital label printing, with over 1,500 AccurioLabel devices sold. In India, the company sees strong growth potential in digital labels and small-format packaging applications, despite relatively lower sales volumes compared to global markets.

Indian printing industry: growth amid challenges

Assessing the broader Indian printing industry, Asari noted that while growth in 2024 may be slightly slower than in previous years, the market remains on a positive trajectory. He highlighted the accelerated shift from analogue to digital printing, particularly in short-run applications, as a key factor driving industry expansion.

“While other global markets may face stagnation or decline, India remains a growth market with increasing demand for digital print solutions,” Asari concluded.

Konica Minolta unveils colors of life with 2025 calendar

-Spot UV and foiling with AccurioShine 3600.

India, 13 February,2025: Konica Minolta India has unveiled its annual calendar themed ‘Unleash the Colours of Life’- celebrating the diverse and meaningful role of colors in Indian culture while showcasing innovation and precision.

In an interaction with Indian Printer & Publisher, Mohit Kaval, head of marketing communications and brand management at Konica Minolta India said, “As we step into 2025, Konica Minolta India has unveiled its annual calendar, designed to resonate with India’s vibrant spirit of life and cultural richness.”

A Konica Minolta AccurioShine 3600 was used for spot UV and foiling, resulting in a luxurious, embellished finish. Kaval said only one AccurioShine 3600 was utilized for the production of around 13,000 calendars. The company’s entire customer database across business segments receives this calendar.

2025-calendar

Kaval says the 2025 calendar stands out as a visual masterpiece, “Drawing inspiration from the concept of a color waterfall, the form factor of the calendar is enhanced by laser die-cut leaves, creating a cascading effect that is both artistic and tactile.

He explains that the calendar represents an annual connection with all of the company’s respective stakeholders via calendar sharing, a core offering of its business.

“The calendar is not just a functional tool,” Kaval says. “It’s a statement of our brand promise encapsulated in the campaign ‘We Power Your Growth.’ It embodies our commitment to empowering customers and partners by pushing boundaries in printing and embellishing solutions.”

“At Konica Minolta, colors are more than just shades-they are stories, emotions, and experiences. The 2025 calendar gives a visual appeal with consistent, stunning color outputs. This project also underscores our focus on leveraging innovative technology to create remarkable results for our customers and partners,” Kaval says.

Konica Minolta Pioneers Digital Transformation in Printing, Packaging, and AI-Driven Workflow Solutions in India

-Konica Minolta Pioneers Digital Transformation in Printing, Packaging, and AI-Driven Workflow Solutions in India

India, 13 February,2025: Konica Minolta, a global leader in imaging and networking technologies, offers cutting-edge printing solutions. Committed to digital transformation, the brand helps businesses in India seamlessly transition from conventional to digital printing with unmatched service and innovation.

During an exclusive interaction with NCN Magazine, Mr. Manish Gupta, Head of Product Lifecycle Management and Planning Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Pvt Ltd, shares insights on the company’s latest innovations, digital transformation, and packaging solutions.

Please give us an overview of the key solutions Konica Minolta is showcasing at PRINTPACK 2025?

We are currently demonstrating all our production devices, including some of the industry’s leading printing devices for packaging solutions. Our solutions cater to a wide range of requirements, starting from commercial printing to mid-production and high-production levels. We are also introducing new products to help our customers transition from commercial printing to labels and packaging. Additionally, we are focusing on labels and converters entering the digital space. One of our key highlights is the introduction of CMYK plus white, which enhances the printing capabilities of our devices.

How does Konica Minolta’s AccurioPro support productivity?

Under the AccurioPro, we are demonstrating multiple solutions that enhance productivity and automate repetitive tasks within the print process. These solutions help our customers streamline operations, making them more efficient and productive. With automation playing a key role, we aim to minimize manual intervention and improve overall workflow management.

What Konica Minolta is offering the packaging segment which you recently forayed into?

We are relatively new to the packaging segment and currently have a limited set of solutions. Our focus is primarily on soft board packaging and mono-carton packaging in small sizes. At present, our size offerings are limited to 13×51 inches. However, we also have the AccurioJet KM-1e, which is the world’s first UV inkjet press catering to V2 size. While we are still in the early stages of our journey in packaging, we have taken significant steps to integrate digital printing solutions for labels and packaging. Our digital presses are already serving entry-level and mid-production requirements.

How is Konica Minolta integrating AI into its workflow solutions?

Pioneers-Digital-Transformation

We are actively incorporating AI solutions into our workflows, including digital embellishment solutions. One of our innovations is an artificial imaging scanner that plays a crucial role in embellishments. When we superimpose two images—one on top of the other—precise registration is paramount for a high-quality print output. Our AI-powered scanner ensures real-time image alignment, enhancing the visual appeal of printed materials. This technology is helping us deliver superior print quality and operational efficiency.

How does Konica Minolta update its partners and customers about the new solutions?

We have a dedicated online platform called Partner Connect Portal, where we share all relevant updates about our latest solutions. In addition to this, we run various training programs where our teams engage with partner sales teams to educate them about new developments. We also conduct direct customer outreach programs in collaboration with our partners to ensure they understand our latest offerings. Furthermore, our partners receive the same level of technical knowledge and training as our internal teams, ensuring they can independently manage and sell our devices. We also provide training for service engineers through dedicated programs to maintain high service standards.

How does Konica Minolta position itself in the digital printing space?

This is the perfect time for digital printing. We are witnessing a significant shift from traditional print methods to digital, primarily due to the reduction in print run lengths. This transition makes digital printing a more viable and cost-effective solution. At Konica Minolta, we are well-positioned to support this shift with our reliable technology, robust service infrastructure, and innovative digital printing solutions.

How does Konica Minolta support its customers across India?

We take pride in being a trusted and reliable brand in India. Our service and support structure spans across the country, covering regions from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to southern states, as well as the eastern and western regions. Since printing is a service-intensive industry, our ability to provide strong after-sales support is crucial. We have a dedicated service network ensuring customer satisfaction, and we are happy to share that our customers have given us positive feedback regarding our support and services this year.

What is your message to the businesses transitioning to digital printing?

The digital printing industry is evolving rapidly, and businesses that embrace this transformation will gain a competitive edge. With our comprehensive range of digital printing solutions, Konica Minolta is committed to helping businesses transition smoothly into the digital era. Our focus remains on innovation, customer satisfaction, and providing reliable solutions that meet the needs of an ever-changing market.

SS Color Lab invests in Konica Minolta

-Kolkata-based SS Color Lab recently invested in the AccurioPress C3080, C7090, and C73hc to enhance its printing capabilities, particularly for catalogues, brochures, and other high-quality commercial print applications.

India, 12 February,2025: Goutam Adhikary of SS Color Lab said, “These machines have helped us improve print quality, increase efficiency, and expand into premium printing segments. The Konica Minolta team gave training and education to ensure the smooth adoption of the new equipment.”

SS Color Lab is a well-established name in the digital print industry with a legacy of 45 years in the printing business, operating out of Kolkata. Founded in 2018 by Goutam Adhikary, the company has built a strong reputation over the past six years, serving a diverse clientele utilising our extensive industry expertise to deliver high-quality printing solutions.

The company’s primary clientele consists of vendors who rely on it for high-quality printing solutions. The company specialises in photo albums, catalogues, brochures, and commercial printing, catering to a wide range of printing needs with precision and efficiency.

SS-Color-Lab

The team consists of 12 dedicated professionals who work collaboratively to ensure high-quality printing solutions and exceptional service for our clients.

Adhikary said the investment has yielded positive returns since the installation in 2023, with a steady monthly print volume of 1.5 lakh pages.

Konica Minolta Introduces High-Speed AccurioPress C14010S at PrintPack 2025

India, 11 February,2025: Konica Minolta successfully concluded its participation at PrintPack 2025, marking the reveal of its AccurioPress C14010S. The five-day exhibition, held at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, demonstrated Konica Minolta’s comprehensive portfolio of digital printing solutions. The event witnessed an overwhelming response with 2000+ visitors exploring Konica Minolta’s innovative solutions.

The new AccurioPress C14010S with capability of white toner printing, showcases groundbreaking automation features including the standard Intelligent Quality Optimizer (IQ-601) and Paper Inspection Unit (AI-101). These innovations significantly reduce the need for manual intervention and specialized expertise in printing operations, allowing businesses to focus on creative and value-added services.

Konica Minolta marked its presence by showcasing the AccurioPress C14010S, which captivated industry professionals with its innovative white toner capability. The system demonstrates exceptional versatility with its ability to print at speeds of up to 140 A4 pages per minute, maintain consistent quality across media weights from 52 to 450 g/m², and achieve stunning white prints on colored and transparent media. Even when using white toner, the system maintains impressive speeds of up to 120 sheets per minute.

The exhibition drew diverse audiences including:

  • Commercial Printers: Exploring digital color solutions for marketing collateral, catalogs, and premium print products
  • Packaging Converters: Seeking short-run packaging solutions and prototyping capabilities
  • Book Publishers: Investigating mono production systems for educational and trade publications
  • Photo Studios: Looking for high-quality photo printing solutions

Key applications showcased included:

  • Production Printing Color: High-end photo books, luxury packaging, real estate brochures, marketing collateral, and specialty prints featuring white toner applications
  • Production Printing Mono: Educational textbooks, training manuals, financial documents, and legal publications demonstrated on the AccurioPress 6272P and AccurioPrint 2100
  • Industrial Printing: Short-run labels, packaging prototypes, specialty applications with embellishments
  • C14010S-PrintPack-2025

    The exhibition featured an impressive array of Konica Minolta’s production printing portfolio, including the high-performance AccurioPress C12000, the versatile mid-range AccurioPress C7100, C4080, and AccurioPrint C4065 series, and the specialized AccurioPress C84hc with high-chroma technology. In the monochrome segment, the AccurioPress 6272P and AccurioPrint 2100 demonstrated exceptional productivity for high-volume commercial printing applications. The AccurioLabel 230 demonstrated advanced capabilities in digital label printing, while the MGI AccurioShine 3600 and AccurioShine 101 displayed sophisticated digital embellishment solutions.

    Mr. Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director at Konica Minolta Business Solution India Pvt. Ltd., reflected on the event’s success, saying, “The response at PrintPack 2025 validates our strategic focus on digital transformation in the printing industry. The enthusiastic reception of our AccurioPress C14010S demonstrated the market’s readiness for innovative printing solutions. The strategic partnerships formed during this exhibition will enable local businesses to compete globally, reducing waste, and creating new opportunities for young professionals entering the field. Our larger endeavour is building a more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive printing ecosystem that will benefit everyone from rural textbook publishers to urban marketing agencies.”

    Konica Minolta will continue developing targeted digital printing solutions that address specific market inefficiencies, particularly in high-volume variable data printing and short-run packaging. The positive response at PrintPack 2025 reflects their commitment on precision engineering, as they continue to support India’s evolving print sector.