Author Archives: Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta Honors Wang Yang For His Inspiring Gold Medal Win At World Para Athletics 2025

-Konica Minolta Business Solutions proudly announced the remarkable participation of one of its employees, Mr. Wang Yang NDM News Network

India, 10 October,2025: Konica Minolta Business Solutions proudly announced the remarkable participation of one of its employees, Mr. Wang Yang, at the World Para Athletics 2025 that was held in New Delhi during September 27 to October 5. Mr. Yang, who represented China in the Paris Paralympics and won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, was chosen to be an athlete in this international event, continuing his story of resilience and excellence.

Mr. Yang achieved a historic milestone by winning the gold medal in the 800m T34 event at the World Para Athletics 2025, further cementing his legacy as one of the most inspiring para-athletes in the world. His victory stands as a testament to his perseverance, talent, and commitment to pushing beyond boundaries.

Mr. Yang’s participation in the World Para Athletics Championships is evident of his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and the spirit of inclusiveness that Konica Minolta champions. In addition to being a testament to his athletic excellence, his persistent track record of competing at the world’s most prestigious sporting events also serves as an inspiration and motivation to colleagues and communities across the world.

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Speaking on this achievement, Mr. Wang Yang said, “It is an honour to be able to participate in such a prestigious competition. To compete on the world stage motivates me to push my limits further, and I am grateful for the support I have received from Konica Minolta, which has always encouraged my aspirations both as a working professional and as an athlete.”

Congratulating Mr. Yang, Mr. Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., shared, “We are immensely proud of Mr. Yang’s accomplishments and his remarkable spirit. His accomplishments strongly align with Konica Minolta’s values of resilience, dedication, and innovation. We believe his journey is a source of inspiration, not only for his colleagues but for society at large.”

Konica Minolta is steadfast in its dedication to supporting a culture of inclusiveness and empowering people with disabilities, both withing the company workforce and our communities. Through focused initiatives, equal opportunity policies, and programs, the company will establish a culture in which persons of all abilities will be able to contribute meaningfully.

Following an appropriate advocacy for accessibility and partnership with awareness, Konica Minolta builds momentum toward progressive transformations in support of an inclusive future. The experience of Mr. Wang Yang is a powerful story of the opportunity of determination leading to a sustainable impact on personal and professional fronts.

Inside the AccurioPress C7100 Enhanced kit

-Manish Gupta, head, product life cycle and solution consultancy division at Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, explains how the AccurioPress C7100 Enhanced is poised to redefining digital print through automation, sustainability, and versatility that challenge offset and screen printing in India’s evolving market

India, 10 October,2025: When Konica Minolta introduced the AccurioPress C7100 Enhanced in India in July this year at the PrintExpo in Chennai, it was touted to be more than an upgrade. For Konica Minolta, it was a statement about where print production is heading, towards automation, sustainability, and smart integration that blurs the line between offset quality and digital agility.

Manish Gupta describes the new press as a platform built for modern print realities. “The AccurioPress C7100 Enhanced combines our Gamma 13 colour management and IQ-501 Intelligent Quality Optimizer to make colour consistency a fully automated process,” he says.

Gamma 13’s real-time colour algorithm measures and refines profiles as the press runs, ensuring consistent reproduction across a wide variety of media. The IQ-501 performs density, registration, and defect corrections in real time, creating what Gupta calls a “proofless production environment” that removes manual intervention.

Ap_C7100Enhanced-kit

The result is predictable colour and reduced waste. “For print service providers, this means faster approvals, fewer reprints, and consistent brand colours across every run,” he explains. The automation narrows the quality gap with offset while outpacing it on setup time, turning what used to be a labour-intensive process into a streamlined digital workflow.

Versatility for India’s diverse market

India’s print industry is expanding steadily, projected to grow from INR 260 billion (USD 3.09 billion) in 2023 to over INR 288 billion (USD 3.43 billion) by 2026. The growth is driven by packaging, regional marketing, and short-run commercial print. Gupta notes that the C7100 Enhanced is engineered to serve all these segments simultaneously.

“The press supports everything from 52 to 400 gsm and sheets up to 1,300 mm,” he says. “That allows our customers to print prototypes, short-run packaging, book jackets, wraparound labels, and long-format marketing pieces on the same platform.”

This flexibility is especially relevant in India, where brands frequently demand regional SKUs, seasonal promotions, and customised editions. Gupta adds, “Offset or screen printing would require separate setups and plates, but with the C7100 Enhanced, printers can produce these variants quickly, cost-effectively, and with consistent quality.”

By combining substrate versatility with inline finishing, printers can reduce capital costs and operate leaner production lines. The result is faster time to market and the ability to compete for premium work without the overhead of traditional processes.

Sustainability and energy efficiency

Environmental responsibility is no longer a luxury; it is an operational necessity. Gupta points to the Simitri V toner as a key contributor to sustainability. “Simitri V is a biomass-supplemented, low-temperature fusing toner,” he explains. “Lower fusing temperatures directly reduce electricity consumption, which in turn cuts Co2 emissions.”

Because the toner fuses at lower heat, it also supports delicate and recycled materials. “This matters in packaging and textile-adjacent printing, where substrate sensitivity is high,” Gupta says. “Simitri V reduces thermal stress while maintaining fine detail and colour stability.”

For brands increasingly judged by their environmental footprint, these features enable print service providers to deliver sustainable outputs without compromise. “Digital printing with Simitri V becomes a genuinely greener alternative to processes like offset or screen, which require significantly higher drying or curing energy,” he notes.

Automation that rivals offset

Offset printing remains the benchmark for high-volume efficiency, but automation is rewriting that equation. The AccurioPress C7100 Enhanced runs at a consistent 100 images per minute and integrates seamlessly with Konica Minolta’s AccurioPro workflow suite. “AccurioPro automates job submission, colour management, preflight, and RIP-to-print processes,” Gupta explains. “It removes manual steps that add both time and variability.”

This automation pushes digital production deeper into offset territory. When setup times, plate costs, and labour are factored in, Gupta argues that “many medium-run jobs become more economical on digital.” He continues, “With frequent revisions, regional variants, or variable data, digital presses deliver not only cost savings but entirely new revenue models.”

AccurioPro Flux extends this automation further by offering Web2Print integration. “It helps printers build online storefronts and automate order-to-production workflows,” Gupta adds. “That is essential for businesses expanding into B2C and custom print-on-demand models.”

Replacing and complementing screen printing

As screen printing evolves into niche industrial uses, the C7100 Enhanced bridges the gap for short-run and speciality work. Its S.E.A.D. X imaging engine enhances tone reproduction, halftone stability, and sharpness on difficult substrates.

“The C7100 Enhanced can print on textured, embossed, and recycled stocks with remarkable consistency,” Gupta says. “Applications that once required screen printing can now be done faster, with greater flexibility and less manual setup.”

Rather than displacing screen or offset outright, Konica Minolta’s approach is complementary. “Screen remains ideal for very high-volume or specialty finishes, but the C7100 Enhanced takes over shorter runs and variable designs that keep those traditional lines occupied,” he explains. This hybrid production model maximises equipment utilisation across print floors and enables printers to offer a wider range of services.

Inkjet-like performance from a toner platform

While the C7100 Enhanced is a toner press, Gupta describes its operation as “inkjet-like” in responsiveness. “Enhanced sensors detect media properties before printing begins, allowing dynamic adjustments that prevent misfeeds and maintain alignment,” he says. “It behaves with the speed and agility customers expect from inkjet, while preserving the image consistency and finishing compatibility of toner.”

By combining these sensors with AccurioPro automation, the system reduces make-ready time and waste, boosting real-world productivity. For operators, it translates into faster job turnovers, fewer stoppages, and consistent output across shifts. “It is a press designed to run intelligently rather than depend on manual supervision,” Gupta adds.

Resilient supply chain and service reliability

With the global shift from “just-in-time” to “just-in-case” logistics, supply chain reliability has become a competitive differentiator. Gupta explains that Konica Minolta’s integration of consumable management and service infrastructure ensures uninterrupted operations.

“Printers can monitor consumable levels remotely, automate ordering, and even have the machine raise a service call if required,” he says. “Our regional warehouses and service network in India ensure quick delivery of toners and spare parts.”

Compared with offset or screen printing, which rely on plates, inks, and chemicals that may have long or variable lead times, digital simplifies logistics. “It reduces the need for large stock buffers and makes production more predictable,” Gupta says. “This reliability becomes essential for printers who must meet tight deadlines for e-commerce or fast-moving consumer brands.”

Empowering small and medium enterprises

One of the C7100 Enhanced’s most profound impacts lies in how it levels the playing field for small and medium print businesses. “The IQ-501 automates critical quality controls that used to require highly skilled operators,” Gupta says. “SMEs can now achieve offset-level consistency without needing offset-level manpower.”

By automating calibration, registration, and defect detection, the press allows smaller teams to manage more work. “It frees operators to handle multiple machines or client interactions instead of manual colour checks,” he adds.

The efficiency gains are tangible. “You see less waste, faster setup, and consistent output regardless of who is running the shift,” Gupta notes. “That means higher productivity and better profitability per square foot of production space.”

A digital future shaped by flexibility

Looking ahead, the market direction seems clear. Smithers projects that India’s print sector will continue to grow through 2030, driven by packaging, short-run personalisation, and digital convergence. Gupta believes the C7100 Enhanced is built for this environment.

“The press supports a wide range of inline and near-line finishing,” he says. “This allows printers to move from imaging to finished product seamlessly, reducing touchpoints and human error.”

As digital demand grows, automation will become the baseline rather than a bonus. “Printers who can offer end-to-end digital production will capture a larger share of high-value work,” Gupta predicts. “The C7100 Enhanced enables exactly that by combining image quality, substrate versatility, and workflow intelligence.”

Offset will continue to dominate long-run labels and packaging, but the C7100 Enhanced opens new profit zones. “Printers can now produce short-run customised labels, premium cartons, and limited-edition designs profitably,” Gupta explains. “With variable data and regional language variants, they can deliver personalisation at scale.”

These capabilities create opportunities for higher-margin work such as luxury brand prototypes, regional marketing campaigns, and personalised packaging for e-commerce.

“Even small batches, when aggregated across multiple customers, can outperform the revenue of traditional offset jobs,” Gupta says. “From colour accuracy to workflow automation, every part of the C7100 Enhanced is designed to make digital more competitive, not just convenient. It empowers printers to do more with less, less waste, less time, and less energy. And that is what the future of print will look like in India.”

Aimss Digital invests in AccurioPress

-Ernakulam-based Aimss Digital has recently invested in a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C7090.

India, 03 October,2025: According to Mohammed Saahil Nellippilly, managing partner, Aimss Digital, the investment was a strategic decision.

“We wanted a versatile, all-in-one solution that could help us deliver exceptional image quality, handle diverse applications, and still be cost-efficient. The C7090 has allowed us to do exactly that. It has helped us achieve better quality in less time and opened up new possibilities for our business,” he said.

He added, “The Konica Minolta team also provided us with thorough on-site training for the C7090. The expert team guided our operators, pre-press staff, and supervisors through real-world workflows, finishing modules, and colour quality management. They also trained us on IC controller usage, ensuring we understood how to fully leverage the machine’s automation and productivity tools. Even today, we continue to receive ongoing support from Konica Minolta, especially for colour calibration and workflow optimisation.”

AIMSS_AccurioPress

“Together, this setup allows us to deliver comprehensive print solutions to our clients and meet a wide range of printing needs,” Nellippilly said.

Aimss Digital Printing started in 2006 with the installation of its first Alwin wide-format machine at Simson Towers, Ernakulam. Soon after, the company invested in its first Konica Minolta laser printer, the C6501, which helped it expand into higher-quality digital printing. As it grew, it upgraded to the Konica Minolta C1085, and today, its latest investment is the AccurioPress C7090. With each step, it has been able to strengthen our offerings and keep pace with the evolving demands of the printing industry.

The business is led by Mohammed Saahil Nellippilly as the managing partner, along with partners Shibumon NH and Mohammedali PA. Together, they manage and drive AIMSS Digital Printing forward Over the years, the company has built a strong customer base across different segments. Its principal clientele includes the advertising industry, studios, event management companies, and several leading offset customers.

The company operates with a lean but highly skilled team of 11 members. It includes four designers, four operators, and one dedicated accounts professional. This balance helps the company stay agile, manage customer expectations, and deliver premium-quality print solutions efficiently.

Nellippilly concluded, “Having been in the printing business for more than 20 years, we are confident about achieving a fast ROI on our new investment. The AccurioPress C7090 has enabled us to strengthen our Print-On-Demand services, which has opened new opportunities and increased our print volumes. By catering to multiple segments through POD jobs, we are not only expanding our business but also ensuring steady growth and faster returns.

In the modern workplace, managing printing costs while embracing sustainability is more important than ever. Businesses across the globe are searching for ways to reduce waste, cut operational expenses, and improve energy efficiency. One of the most effective solutions is investing in an eco-friendly office printer. By choosing the right printing solutions and implementing smart practices, organizations can achieve significant cost savings while contributing positively to the environment.

1. The Role of Eco-Friendly Office Printers in Today’s Workplaces

An office printer is often one of the most used pieces of equipment in any workplace. From reports and invoices to presentations and client proposals, printing remains a crucial function. However, traditional printers consume excessive energy, paper, and toner, which leads to higher expenses and environmental harm.

Brands like Konica Minolta are redefining office printing by introducing energy-efficient, eco-conscious devices. Their range of printers is designed to reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and deliver high-quality prints without inflating your costs.

2. Energy Efficiency That Cuts Costs

One of the main benefits of an eco-friendly office printer is its ability to save energy. Printers with Energy Star certifications, like those offered by Konica Minolta Business Solution India, automatically switch to low-power or sleep modes when idle. This feature significantly reduces electricity bills without affecting productivity.

For companies with multiple printers running throughout the day, energy-efficient models can lower annual operational costs by a noticeable margin while supporting corporate sustainability goals.

3. Duplex Printing for Less Paper Waste

Paper usage is a major contributor to both environmental waste and office expenses. Activating duplex (double-sided) printing across all your office printers can reduce paper consumption by nearly 50%. This simple yet impactful step helps your business save money and reduces the need for frequent paper restocking.

Konica Minolta India printers come with built-in duplex features, making it easy to integrate sustainable printing habits into your workflow without requiring additional investments.

4. High-Yield Cartridges: Save More, Waste Less

An eco-friendly office printer is designed to accommodate high-yield cartridges and toners. These cartridges last longer, print more pages, and reduce the need for frequent replacements. Not only does this lower your printing costs, but it also minimizes cartridge waste, contributing to a greener workplace.

Konica Minolta provides a range of compatible high-yield toner solutions that ensure consistent quality while supporting your cost-saving goals.

5. Print Management Solutions for Smarter Operations

Uncontrolled printing often leads to wasteful practices such as unnecessary color prints, forgotten pages, or unauthorized usage. Implementing print management software with your office printer setup allows you to track usage, set user permissions, and enforce responsible printing policies.

Konica Minolta offers advanced print management solutions to help businesses monitor print behavior, optimize workflows, and cut down on expenses while maintaining document security.

6. Regular Maintenance for Longevity and Sustainability

Just like any other office equipment, your office printer requires regular maintenance to perform efficiently. Dust buildup, outdated firmware, or worn-out parts can lead to excessive energy use and costly repairs. Partnering with a trusted provider like Konica India ensures your printers are serviced on time, helping them last longer and operate at peak efficiency.

7. Encouraging Digital Alternatives

While a reliable office printer remains essential, businesses can further reduce their environmental footprint by encouraging digital workflows. Using cloud-based document sharing, e-signatures, and secure digital storage can drastically cut down unnecessary printing. This hybrid approach—print when necessary, digitize when possible—leads to both cost reduction and improved operational efficiency.

8. A Dual Benefit: Saving Costs and Protecting the Planet

Switching to eco-friendly office printers is not just about being environmentally conscious—it’s also a smart financial decision. Companies that adopt green printing solutions can reduce their electricity bills, lower paper and toner costs, and minimize maintenance expenses.

With innovative products and solutions from Konica Minolta, businesses gain access to cutting-edge printing technology designed for sustainability without compromising performance.

Sustainability and cost efficiency go hand in hand when it comes to office printing. By upgrading to eco-friendly office printers, leveraging print management tools, and promoting responsible usage, businesses can achieve meaningful savings while making a positive impact on the environment.

If your organization is ready to reduce printing costs and adopt greener practices, consider partnering with Konica Minolta India—a leader in delivering high-performance, eco-conscious office printing solutions.

Konica Minolta Launches C7100 Enhanced Press

-Media Versatile press for SMEs and mid-sized printers

India, 10 September,2025: Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, a leader in digital printing solutions, has unveiled the AccurioPress C7100 Enhanced Series digital press, which is designed to empower print providers to expand their offerings and tap into high-value markets.

A key highlight of the press is its ability to handle a diverse range of substrates, from lightweight paper to heavy boards up to 400 gsm. The press can also accommodate long-sheet formats of up to 1,300 mm, opening up a world of possibilities for creative applications in packaging, labels, and specialty printing, the company said.

In an interaction with Indian Printer & Publisher, Manish Gupta, head of product life cycle and solution consultancy division at Konica Minolta, said the new press promises a powerful combination of high productivity, intelligent automation, and unmatched media flexibility.

“The C7100 Enhanced Series provides a bridge between the offset world and the evolving digital-first marketplace,” Gupta said. “Its speed, flexibility, and sustainability-enhanced performance make it a unique option for print providers looking to expand into new markets.”

A standout feature of the new press is its advanced intelligent automation. The C7100 Enhanced offers automatic color calibration, registration adjustment, and image quality optimization, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring consistent, high-quality output across different print runs. This not only reduces errors but also frees up operators to focus on fulfilling customer needs rather than repetitive adjustments.

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“The press also seamlessly integrates with existing digital workflows, job scheduling, and print management systems, further streamlining operations and encouraging business growth,” he adds.

The AccurioPress C7100 Enhanced is specifically tailored for commercial printers, in-plant print service providers, and mid-to-large-sized print operations. It is also particularly well-suited for businesses that pursue short-run packaging, customized labels, and marketing collateral, where demand for personalization and quick turnaround is high.

Asked about the market segment it targets, Gupta explained that SMEs and mid-sized printers will find the press’s versatility a significant advantage, enabling them to meet the diverse needs of clients across various sectors, including advertising, publishing, and event printing. Larger organizations can also leverage it as a complementary solution for flexible, on-demand production, which helps reduce waste and time-to-market.

According to him, the unique selling proposition (USP) of the AccurioPress C7100 Enhanced lies in its ability to combine flexibility, automation, and sustainability into a single platform. “The press’s intelligent automation ensures consistent quality and precise registration, while its media versatility eliminates the need for multiple machines for different applications.”

“The C7100 Enhanced promotes eco-responsible production through optimized workflows that minimize waste and energy consumption. With its enhanced productivity, efficiency, and customization capabilities, the press is positioned as an ideal solution for print providers aiming to expand their services, boost profitability, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market,” he concluded.

Prayash Copiers Boosts Printing Power with Konica Minolta C4080

-Prayash Copiers and Services has recently purchased a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C4080.

India, 08 September,2025: Prayash Copiers upgrades with Konica Minolta C4080, enhancing print quality and efficiency, achieving 30k–40k prints monthly with reliable service support.

Nitin Kurle of Prayash Copiers stated, “The upgrade was in order because the older machines were coming to the end of their useful life, and the buyback programme provided by Konica Minolta made the transition trouble-free.”

He further added, “As we were already familiar with Konica Minolta machines, the training requirement was less. But the engineering team gave us assistance at the time of installation and remains highly responsive to any questions. Through the years, we have developed a good relationship with the service team, which has always made things easy.”

Besides having two Konica Minolta units, the AccurioPress C4080 and the Bizhub 808 multifunction printer, there are also various HP and Epson large-format printers which the company runs. “Our in-house facility comprises 12 to 14 machines, a broad spectrum of printing capabilities ranging from black and white work to A0-sized plotting,” Kurle explained.

Prayash-Copiers

He further said, “Our company started with a basic internet café operation in the beginning. With the passage of time, we transitioned to CAD plotting and later ventured into the digital printing business. This transition was necessitated by the growing demand for quality, efficient printing services. Presently, we have corporate clients, and we offer them digital printing solutions as per their requirements.”

Kurle has his mother supporting him, who is also a partner in the company. Siddharam Gangade are the sub-manager and have been with the company for the last 15 years.

Our staff now consist of six to seven people. Two of them are looking after research and accounts, two take care of operations such as lamination and cutting, and the remaining staff work on machine functions and printing processes.

Kurle stated, “With the AccurioPress C4080, currently we are making 30,000 to 40,000 prints a month, and we have done almost 4 lakh prints till date. With our current client base and demand, we are expecting to get the return on this investment over a period of time, hopefully within a year.”. Although volumes have varied, our emphasis has been on ensuring quality and consistency, and the performance of the machines has helped meet that objective well. Our experience with Konica Minolta since 2014 has been extremely satisfactory in both product reliability and service support.”

Managing office printing costs is a priority for businesses of all sizes. Uncontrolled printing expenses can quickly add up, impacting your bottom line. With the right strategies, you can save money without compromising on productivity or print quality. Here are some practical cost-saving tips to optimize your office printer usage.

1. Choose the Right Printer for Your Needs

Selecting a printer that matches your office’s workload is essential. Overpowered machines can lead to unnecessary expenses, while underpowered ones may increase maintenance costs. Brands like Konica Minolta offer multifunction printers (MFPs) designed to handle a range of office tasks efficiently.

2. Implement Print Management Solutions

Print management software helps track and control printing activities in real time. It allows you to set user limits, manage print queues, and prevent unnecessary printing. By monitoring usage patterns, you can significantly reduce waste and optimize print resources.

3. Opt for Duplex Printing

Duplex (double-sided) printing is one of the easiest ways to cut paper consumption in half. Most modern office printers come with this feature, and enabling it as the default setting helps reduce costs while supporting eco-friendly practices.

4. Use High-Yield Cartridges and Toner

High-yield toner cartridges may have a higher upfront cost, but they offer a lower cost per page. For offices with high print volumes, this can result in substantial long-term savings while maintaining consistent print quality.

5. Regular Maintenance and Servicing

Routine maintenance ensures your printer operates efficiently. Dust buildup, worn-out parts, or outdated firmware can lead to higher energy consumption and increased repair costs. Schedule regular checkups with certified service providers like Konica Minolta India to keep your printer running smoothly.

6. Encourage Responsible Printing Practices

Educate employees about cost-conscious printing habits—such as previewing documents before printing, using grayscale mode for drafts, and avoiding unnecessary color prints. Even small changes in user behavior can significantly reduce overall expenses.

7. Invest in Energy-Efficient Printers

Energy-efficient printers not only reduce electricity bills but also support your organization’s sustainability goals. Look for devices with Energy Star certifications, which ensure optimal performance with minimal power consumption.

By adopting these strategies, businesses can effectively control printing costs without sacrificing performance. Whether you’re a small office or a large enterprise, the right combination of technology, maintenance, and user habits can make a big difference. Partnering with reliable providers like Konica Minolta India ensures access to advanced office printing solutions that are both cost-effective and environmentally responsible.

Sustainable Labelling Solutions for Eco-Conscious Brands

India, 02 September,2025: In the sustainability journey, innovations such as compostable boxes, bio-based wraps, and recyclable cartons often steal the spotlight. Yet, the humble label, a small but mighty component, can quietly make or break a brand’s entire sustainability strategy. Labels, when not designed responsibly, have the power to undermine packaging claims, create compliance headaches, and even shake consumer trust.

Why Labels Matter: Beyond Aesthetics

Today’s consumers are savvier and more environmentally conscious than ever before. As an example, in 2023 the Deloitte survey showed that 67% of global consumers will factor in environmental transparency when making purchasing decisions. Every detail of the packaging, including the label, will be subjected to scrutiny.

Labels are no longer just an aesthetic element of products in the packaging world. They have become trust elements that embody the integrity of the brand Brands now also consider labels as a marketing piece. They also use Spot UV and Foil to make it look more appealing the consumers.

Navigating Compliance in a Changing Regulatory Landscape

India’s statutory frameworks are becoming increasingly stringent. The Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016 (updated 2022) and the EPR Guidelines Under Rule 9 now require recyclability and traceability for all packaging elements, including labels.

Common substrates and materials like PVC, multilayer films, conventional inks, or siliconized liners can turn an otherwise compliant packaging into a compliance horror. These elements can result in rejected recycling batches, discrepancies with EPR reporting, or CPCB notices.

Progressive companies are using new solutions to overcome the challenge:

UV inks that reduce VOC emissions by 40%
Digital printing reduces waste by approximately 25% and traceability down to the SKU level
Workflows that create recording and reporting (e.g., Form V annually) transformational and easy

These solutions provide a triple win: packaging, compliance, and efficiency.

Tackling Hidden Waste in Labels

In India, over 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated each year. This figure is representative of the collective pollution produced by primary packaging—rigid and flexible items that are disposed of after an item is used. But it can also mask more significant issues relating to secondary packaging items such as adhesives, liners, and films. Historically, these materials have played an overlooked role in general packaging strategies and sustainability roadmaps, whereby they cause problems with the waste municipal segregation and recycling of materials or can also be formed into microplastics when burnt or landfilled.

Industry innovations are rising to meet this challenge:

Roll fed systems that do not use liners (and thus secondary waste)
Washable adhesives and water-soluble inks that are easier to recycle
Laser embossing and other label free marking solutions
Mono-material labels that should separate easily from the primary packaging

By addressing hidden waste, businesses don’t just improve sustainability performance, they build operational resilience that pays dividends across their operations.

Labels as a Medium for Engagement

Labels are evolving into potent medium of connection that bridge consumers and brands. Smart features of labels have created some unique possibilities of connectivity with consumers, such as QR codes that detail recycling instructions, variable data printing that can provide batch level traceability, and anti-counterfeiting features to authenticate products — giving brand owners a new means of engagement while enhancing both transparency and consumer experience.

Eco-Conscious

Smart labels can provide consistency with packaging design and culture to engage consumers. This is an opportunity for brands to take advantage of the possibility of making labels the herald of sustainability and packaging innovation to build stronger connections, particularly with environmentally engaged consumers.

The Role of Digital Printing in Future-Ready Labelling

Digital label presses are changing the way organizations balance sustainability with agility and efficiency. The benefits are compelling:

Print on demandcapabilities that prevent overproduction and obsolescence
Short-run flexibility for customized jobs with lightning-fast turnaround
Automated quality control that reduces setup waste and manual intervention
Integrated traceability that supports compliance across the entire packaging lifecycle

As technology advances, digital labelling is positioning itself as a critical enabler of sustainable, compliant, and future-ready packaging solutions.

Conclusion: From Blind Spot to Differentiator

While labels may not require a large footprint, they can have a large impact on compliance outcomes, consumer trust, and overall sustainability performance. Companies that seek a labelling solution that is regulation compliant, lower-impact, and digitized are in turn reducing their negative environmental impacts and future-proofing their business against regulation changes.

Companies that incorporate labelling as a key part of their sustainability strategy can convert what was once an agility blind spot into an opportunity to differentiate for competitive advantage, ultimately contributing to ESG goals, exceeding consumer and clients’ expectations, and helping to build better and smarter sustainable packaging ecosystems.

Pixel Designers upgrades with AccurioPress

-The transition was easy as the company already had experience of the Konica Minolta ecosystem

India, 29 August,2025: Kudroli, Mangalore-based Pixel Designers has recently invested in a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C12000.

Viktor Andrade of Pixel Designers said, “The investment decision was fuelled by our desire for quicker, more efficient, and high-volume colour printing capacity. Having been users of the Bizhub Press C1060 for the last eight years, we had direct experience with the reliability and support of Konica Minolta. The C12000 provided us with a technological advancement especially in terms of speed, automation, media handling, and colour consistency — functions that matched exactly our business needs.”

He added, “As we already had experience of the Konica Minolta ecosystem, the transition was easy. Konica Minolta did, however, give us a brief training session through their service engineer to familiarise our operators with the key features of the new system. Their assistance has helped to facilitate a seamless shift from the old machine to the C12000.”

In addition to the recently installed AccurioPress C12000, the company also uses the bizhub C250i multifunction printer for daily tasks and the AccurioPress 6120 for high-volume monochrome printing.

“We started with the Bizhub Press C1060, which was with us for almost a decade. Currently, all our digital print production is coordinated with the Konica Minolta systems, highlighting our faith in their quality and service consistently.”

Pixel Designers was established in 1997 with a vision to deliver high-quality design and printing solutions. Over the past two decades, we’ve grown steadily, building a reputation for excellence, reliability, and creative precision.

The firm is led by Viktor Andrade, who serves as the proprietor. He comes with more than two decades of hands-on experience in the production of prints and servicing clients.

The company serve a versatile clientele ranging across educational institutions, FMCG players, and private organisations. The clients list includes reputed universities, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Ideal Chicken and others.

Pixel Designers now has a core team of 16 experienced professionals. It consists of seasoned designers, machine operators, and customer support staff to ensure everyday operations run smoothly.

“We have experienced solid and encouraging growth year after year, and with the addition of the C12000, we are looking forward to an impressive return. The machine’s greater speed, less manual involvement, and increased media compatibility enable us to pursue more varied and high-value work. We foresee not only faster ROI, but also increased client base and service offerings due to the added functionality this machine brings to our operations,” Andrade concluded.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions India

-Interview with Mr.Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India

India, 21 August,2025: Konica Minolta is a Japanese multinational technology company that develops, produces, and sells a wide range of products and services.

Print3 : Could you tell us more about Konica Minolta?

Katsuhisa Asari: We are a globally renowned technology company headquartered in Japan, known for our leadership in imaging, with a legacy spanning over 150 years. In India, we operate as Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., established in 2010 as a 100% subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Japan. Our comprehensive portfolio includes digital production printing presses, label printers, monochrome and colour production printers, and embellishment solutions like spot UV and foiling.

We also hold a significant presence in the office printing segment with our award-winning bizhub i-Series multifunction printers (MFPs) that are recognized for their security, sustainability, and ease of use. In addition, our offerings include robust workflow automation, document digitization, and print management software, enabling organizations to streamline operations and improve productivity.

P3 : What are your company’s principles, mission, vision & philosophy?

Katsuhisa Asari: Our guiding philosophy is the “Creation of New Value”—a commitment to support people and society by creating and delivering new value in multiple forms. Globally, our vision, “Imaging to the People,” emphasizes our dedication to taking our technological advantages to the people and society. At Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, our vision reflects a deep customer focus: we aim to become the strategic partner of choice for our customers by exploring and solving their unmet needs.

This approach is supported by six core values that shape our corporate culture, guide employee behaviour, and define how we operate:

Open and Honest
Customer-Centric
Innovative
Passionate
Inclusive and Collaborative
Accountable

These values are deeply embedded in every facet of our operations— from product development to customer service—and empower our teams to create long-lasting value for our stakeholders while contributing positively to society. Our mission and culture are not only designed to meet present needs but also to anticipate and shape the future of work, printing, and information management across the globe.

P3 : Can you share Konica Minolta’s history and milestones, highlighting any major innovations or achievements?

Katsuhisa Asari: We have played a pivotal role in advancing India’s digital printing landscape, offering cutting-edge imaging technologies and enterprise content solutions. We emerged as a market leader in the production printing segment, capturing over 50% market share soon after our inception in India and have sustained this leadership for more than a decade. These achievements were underpinned by our commitment to accelerating the transition from conventional to digital printing, especially in high-growth areas such as packaging and labels.

In 2018, we earned international acclaim by winning the Silver Award in the Business Contribution category at the global Konica Minolta Group Assessment. This recognition reinforced our position as a strategic player within the Indian market, bolstered by the introduction of innovative solutions like the AccurioLabel and MGI JetVarnish. Between 2021 and 2023, we continued to set benchmarks with award-winning products, securing multiple accolades from Key point Intelligence, including the BLI A3 Line of the Year, Color Consistency Award, and recognition for our Dispatcher Phoenix Workflow Automation Platform.

Print3

During this period, we also diversified our offerings to include document-centric and workflow automation solutions tailored for sectors such as education, healthcare, government, and legal services. In 2023, we launched the one-of-itskind Print Xpress initiative, connecting with over 150 Tier 3 and Tier 4 towns across India to bring awareness about the benefits about Digital Printing & Automation to improve productivity. Sustainability and social responsibility remained core pillars of our mission, and we launched four structured CSR programs aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Aarogya, focused on making healthcare accessible to everyone across India.
Neev, aimed at providing foundational assistance for the holistic development of children.
Urja promotes renewable energy and environmental sustainability through solar panel installations and awareness drives.
Pravah, addresses water conservation and sustainable agriculture by building check dams, rainwater harvesting systems, and training farmers in eco-friendly practices.

Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to driving positive social change while supporting inclusive and sustainable development in India. Continuing our momentum into 2025, we opened new corporate offices in Mumbai (Andheri) and Kolkata (Salt Lake).

These centres now serve as innovation hubs and talent incubation platforms, enabling faster go to-market strategies and fostering next generation print technologies. In addition to these strategic expansions, we are proud to be recognized as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years, a testament to our commitment to nurturing a positive and dynamic work culture that drives both employee satisfaction and organizational success.

Print3 : How does a high-speed digital press maintain consistent print quality across largescale print jobs?

Manish Gupta : We maintain consistent print quality through our innovative inline solution IQ-501 Intelligent Quality Optimizer, which performs real-time adjustments to color and registration without perator intervention. Coupled with SEAD (Screen-Enhancing Active Digital Process) technology and high-resolution imaging (3600 x 2400 dpi), our systems ensure every page operator intervention.

Coupled with SEAD (ScreenEnhancing Active Digital Process) technology and high-resolution imaging (3600 x 2400 dpi), our systems ensure every page meets exacting quality standards across large-scale print runs.

P3 : What automation features are integrated into modern digital presses to improve efficiency?

Manish Gupta: We produce a variety of rubber rollers for the printing industry, including inking rollers, fountain rollers, distribution rollers, and dampening rollers, compatible with all leading offset printing machines.

P3 : How do digital presses handle a variety of media types, from coated to uncoated stocks?

Manish Gupta: We design our presses with advanced paper handling systems that support a broad media range, including coated/uncoated, textured, synthetic, and long-sheet formats (up to 1300mm). Our air-suction feeding mechanism and advanced fusing units ensure stable feeding and excellent toner adhesion across various substrates.

P3 : How is color accuracy achieved in digital printing, especially for detailed graphic work?

Manish Gupta: We achieve colour accuracy through our Simitri V and HDe toners, which provide fine particle distribution and smooth gradation. Our IQ-501 performs automatic color calibration and density adjustments, while SEAD X image processing maintains consistent tone reproduction across long runs—making it ideal for highend graphics and photography applications.

P3 : How does digital printing benefit businesses with smaller print volumes and customized orders?

Manish Gupta: Digital printing eliminates the need for plates and setup costs, enabling costeffective short runs and on-demand printing. It supports variable data printing (VDP), allowing customization at scale—ideal for marketing campaigns, personalized packaging, and direct mail Businesses can respond quickly to market demands without overproduction.

P3 : How do digital presses ensure productivity and quality for high-volume monochrome printing?

Manish Gupta: Our monochrome presses like the AccurioPrint 2100, AccurioPress 7136, and AccurioPress 6272P deliver up to 100, 136, and 272 A4 pages per minute respectively, equipped with high toner and paper capacity for uninterrupted operation. With advanced image stabilization, media sensors, and durable. components, we ensure high uptime and consistent quality across long production cycles.

P3 : What role does ink density control play in achieving consistent print quality during high-volume production?

Manish Gupta: Toner density control is vital for maintaining consistent colour across a print run. Our closed-loop density adjustment systems automatically monitor and regulate density levels in real-time, correcting any deviations to ensure colour fidelity and uniformity— especially in applications requiring brand colour consistency. The machine and the controller with the machine has features to control the toner density to give the right color output.

P3 : How do digital presses handle a wide variety of substrates and paper types efficiently?

Manish Gupta: We use multi-feed trays, adjustable transfer belts, and sophisticated fusing technologies that adapt to the texture, weight, and size of substrates. This flexibility allows you work with lightweight paper, envelopes, heavy stock up to 450 gsm, and textured materials without compromising speed or quality.

P3 : How do UV inkjet digital presses support printing on non-traditional substrates?

Manish Gupta: Our UV inkjet presses enable printing on non-absorbent materials such as plastics, films, and metallic foils. The UV curing process dries ink instantly, allowing for high-speed output without smudging and expanding application capabilities beyond standard paper stocks.

P3 : What automation features are integrated into modern digital presses to improve efficiency?

Manish Gupta: Humans have five senses touch, sight, smell, taste & hear. Our brain responds as any of these are activated. With the Spot UV and Digital Foil we influence the 2 senses touch & sight. There is a very high tendency to see any good eye catchy document or packaging material which leads to touch. These sensory activation brings a very positive impact on printed documents. Our AccurioShine 3600 applies 2D and 3D spot UV coatings and digital foiling to add texture and visual contrast. These effects enhance perceived value, particularly for wedding cards, luxury packaging, and corporate brochures, delivering a tactile and premium finish without requiring dies or screens.

P3 : How do digital presses contribute to cost-effective short-run label printing?

Manish Gupta: With our AccurioLabel series, we offer quick job setup, minimal waste, and flexographic-quality output — ideal for short – run and personalized label production. We eliminate the cost of plates and setup associated with traditional flexo, making digital label printing more accessible and profitable for smaller batch requirements.

P3 : How do digital presses manage highspeed production while maintaining print quality?

Manish Gupta: Our presses, such as the AccurioPress C142000, maintain print speeds up to 1420 ppm without sacrificing output quality. Through highresolution engines, intelligent job scheduling, and on-the-fly quality checks, we support continuous operation even under demanding workloads.

P3 : What is the advantage of automated finishing options in digital presses?

Manish Gupta:: We offer automated finishing options—such as perfect binding, booklet making, stapling, and trimming—that streamline post-print processes and reduce manual handling. This enhances workflow speed, consistency, and precision, especially valuable in fastturnaround environments like education, publishing, and commercial print houses.

P3 : How do digital presses ensure superior print quality even on thin paper stocks?

Manish Gupta:: We use adjustable suction and air separation feeding, low-temperature fusing, and static elimination features to handle thin paper (as low as 62 gsm). These features ensure smooth paper transport and accurate registration, preventing jams or misalignment issues typically associated with lightweight media. In addition to the print, we also offer the option of humidifier t add the moisture to help in the finishing process of cutting and creasing.

P3 : How do digital presses support personalization and variable data printing?

Manish Gupta:: With built-in support for VDP software and RIP integration, our digital presses personalize text, images, and graphics for each piece in a print run. This enables targeted campaigns, event-specific materials, and custom packaging, helping printers offer higher-value services to clients.

P3 : Challenges and Competitions you are facing in the market?

Katsuhisa Asari:: The Indian digital printing sector is undergoing a major transformation, driven by rising demand for short-run, high-quality, and personalized print solutions. However, challenges like price sensitivity in Tier 2 and 3 markets, market fragmentation, and competition from low-cost providers using outdated infrastructure persist. Educating customers on the value of digital embellishment and automation remains tough. Additionally, a shortage of skilled labour and rising input costs impact efficiency and profitability. Despite these hurdles, the industry is pushing forward through customer education and strong service support.

P3 : What are your other businesses?

Katsuhisa Asari:: We operate across textile printing, healthcare imaging, measuring instruments, and IT services globally.

P3 : Business expansions such as future business plans in India?

Katsuhisa Asari:: We are strategically expanding across India, with a focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities that offer vast potential for digital printing transformation. While strengthening our leadership in production and industrial printing, we’re also broadening our reach to serve MSMEs, educational institutions, and government bodies with advanced, scalable, and cost-effective solutions.

Our future focus includes digital production printing across commercial, labels & packaging, digital embellishment, workflow automation, and enterprise content management—critical tools for streamlining operations and driving growth. We are also exploring AIdriven automation and cloud-based print infrastructure to power smart workplaces. Our vision is clear: to lead the Indian print industry’s digital transformation by scaling innovation, improving accessibility, and empowering businesses of all sizes to succeed in the digital era.

P3 : What about your CSR activities?

Katsuhisa Asari: We drive social impact through four CSR programs— AAROGYA, NEEV, PRAVAH, and URJA—focused on healthcare, education, skill development, and energy sustainability. Aligned with UN SDGs, these initiatives are executed with NGO partners to ensure wide reach and lasting impact.