‘In Conversation’ with Digital Impressions, Amit Khurana, CEO, TechNova Imaging
Systems, shares his views on Technova’s increasing footprint in the digital segment,
catering to the developing requirements of the industry.
Veerendra Malik (VM): What factors have influenced Technova Imaging Systems’
decision to expand its portfolio of digital printing equipment in India?
Amit Khurana (AK): With over five decades of partnership with the Indian printing industry,
TechNova has evolved from a single-product company to a comprehensive solutions
provider and now into an integrated ecosystem. Guided by our passion for technology and a
mission to innovate, we consistently strive to make our products and processes future-ready.
Our portfolio spans industries such as Commercial & Newspaper Printing, Publishing,
Packaging, Signage, Photo, Textile, Engineering and Medical Imaging. The growing demand
for short-run, on-demand and personalized printing – driven by digitization and changing
consumer behaviour – has reshaped the landscape of commercial printing, labels and
packaging, publishing and photo album production.
In the last decade, many printing companies transitioning from offset, flexography and
gravure technologies have embraced digital printing solutions. As a market leader and
preferred solutions provider, TechNova places customers at the heart of every business
decision. Expanding our digital printing portfolio ensures we not only cater to the evolving
needs of the industry but also remain aligned with shifting market dynamics.
VM: What are the key challenges that the Indian market faces when it comes to digital
printing adoption, and how does your portfolio address these challenges?
AK:The Indian printing industry faces several challenges in digital adoption. These include
balancing long-run and short-run requirements, as traditional technologies struggle to meet
the growing demand for short-run, on-demand printing driven by changing consumer needs.
Limited awareness about digital printing and difficulty in evaluating the right investment
opportunities further complicate the decision-making process. Choosing the right technology
partner and ensuring compliance with emerging safety, health and environmental regulations
are also critical concerns.
At TechNova, we address these challenges with a customer-centric, consultative approach.
By understanding end applications, investment capacity and business goals, we recommend
end-to-end solutions tailored to meet diverse market needs.
Our portfolio includes best-in-class digital production printing solutions that deliver superior
print quality and productivity with lower total cost of ownership (TCO). We offer versatile
digital labels & packaging solutions that meet nearly all brand packaging requirements. Our
publishing solutions combine unmatched quality, compatibility with diverse substrates and
cost-efficient integrated finishing. Additionally, our range of finishing and embellishment
solutions creates premium value through stunning print enhancements.
VM: Can you provide insight into the digital printing technologies you are offering to
the Indian market in the hardware and software segments. Also, any new
introductions and how they differ from existing solutions?
AK: TechNova collaborates with global technology leaders to bring cutting-edge digital
printing solutions to the Indian market. Our offerings include:
- Dry Toner Production Presses from Konica Minolta for high-quality, reliable
commercial printing.
- Liquid Electrophotography Presses from HP Indigo, designed for advanced labels
and packaging applications, delivering unmatched print quality and versatility.
- Spot UV Inkjet and Foiling Solutions from Duplo and UCOS, which add value through
premium finishing and embellishment options.
- Aqueous Inkjet High-Production Book Presses from Founder, Kyocera and HP,
available in roll-to-roll, roll-to-sheet and sheet-to-sheet formats, catering to diverse publishing
needs.
Our latest introductions focus on combining versatility, speed and cost-efficiency, setting
them apart from conventional solutions. These innovations address the demand for shortrun,
on-demand and personalised printing while maintaining environmental sustainability and
operational efficiency.
VM: How do you ensure that the digital printing equipment you offer is tailored to the
diverse needs of the Indian market, from small businesses to large enterprises?
AK: The needs of the Indian market are diverse, with small businesses and large enterprises
facing distinct challenges. For small businesses, the journey begins with understanding and
adapting to a new business model like digital printing. For large enterprises, the focus is on
integrating solutions seamlessly into their existing ecosystem to better serve their customers.
At TechNova, we cater to this diversity by offering a broad spectrum of digital printing
solutions. From cost-effective entry-level systems for small businesses to advanced
industrial solutions for large enterprises, our portfolio covers various market segments,
applications and budgets. Our consultative approach ensures that each solution aligns with
the unique requirements of the customer, empowering businesses of all sizes to embrace
digital printing and achieve success..
VM: How does Technova plan to support Indian businesses in terms of training and
technical support for these advanced digital printing solutions?
AK:TechNova is committed to providing comprehensive training and technical support to
ensure customers maximize the potential of their digital printing solutions. We offer on-thejob
training and hands-on guidance with every machine we sell, coupled with a robust
escalation matrix to achieve optimum machine uptime, aligned with industry standards.
Understanding that each customer’s needs are unique, we prioritize personalized support to
earn their trust and satisfaction. Our track record speaks for itself – TechNova has
consistently ranked No. 1 in Konica Minolta service support for nearly a decade. Additionally,
our service engineers have received numerous awards for their world-class customer
service skills, reinforcing our dedication to excellence in after-sales support.
VM: What role do sustainability and environmental considerations play in the
development and marketing of your digital printing products?
AK: Sustainability is no longer a choice – it’s a necessity driven by changing consumer
behaviour. With 68% of India’s population comprising Gen Z and Millennials, there is a
growing preference for sustainability-first buying decisions. This environmentally conscious
demographic influences brands to adopt eco-friendly technologies and practices.
At TechNova, we align with this shift by partnering with global technology leaders who
prioritise sustainability. Their products are designed to enable environmentally responsible
printing processes, reducing waste and optimizing resource efficiency. By integrating these
solutions into our portfolio, we empower brands and businesses to embrace greener
practices and meet the expectations of today’s sustainability-conscious market..
VM: How are you working with print service providers, converters, designers to
integrate your digital printing technology into their operations?
AK: With 54 years of experience serving the Indian printing and packaging industry,
TechNova has a deep understanding of customer requirements and business models. We
engage with every entity in the value chain – from designers, brands and prepress houses to
printers and packaging converters – through a consultative approach. By demonstrating how
digital printing can transform their business and add value, we ensure seamless integration
of our solutions into their operations.
Our state-of-the-art TOUCH (TechNova Open University for Change) experience centre
plays a pivotal role in this engagement. Here, we host designers, startups, brands, printers,
converters and even students. The TOUCH facility features an HP Indigo 6K digital labels
and packaging press, along with a versatile gallery showcasing innovative applications. We
conduct sessions on market trends, cutting-edge technologies and our value propositions,
illustrating how digital printing can create value across the supply chain while supporting
businesses in their digital transformation journey.
VM: How do you foresee the growth of digital printing in India over the next 3-5 years,
and what role does Technova plan to play in that growth?
AK: Digital printing in India, though currently at a nascent stage, is witnessing rapid growth.
For many printing companies, it serves as a complementary solution, addressing the
demand for short runs while long-run jobs remain their primary focus. With advancements in
technology and maturing solutions, digital printing is beginning to capture a larger share of
the job portfolio, indicating a strong growth trajectory in the Indian printing and packaging
industry.
TechNova is committed to driving this transformation by continually strengthening its digital
printing ecosystem. Our focus is on delivering tailored value propositions that cater to
diverse market segments and customer needs. By providing advanced solutions and
fostering industry-wide adoption, we aim to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital
printing in India..
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VM: Given the increasing competition in the digital printing space, what unique value
propositions or competitive advantages does Technova offer that differentiate you
from other players in the market?
AK: TechNova’s strategy revolves around offering a harmonious blend of “Offset AND
Digital.” Our ‘Enhance Offset & Integrate Digital’ campaign recognizes the evolving needs of
printers who seek to complement their offset capabilities with digital efficiencies. At the core
of this strategy is our unwavering commitment to helping customers seamlessly integrate
digital printing into their existing ecosystems, focusing on what is right for their unique
requirements.
Our competitive edge lies in providing futuristic digital solutions, combined with unparalleled
reach and deep customer relationships. This enables us to deliver not just products but a
unified ecosystem that enhances profitability and adds value to our customers’ businesses.
Additionally, our commitment to best-in-class service support sets us apart. With strong
technical expertise and a deep understanding of customer applications, we act as trusted
consultants, guiding businesses to choose the most suitable solutions for their needs. This
customer-first approach is what truly differentiates TechNova in the competitive digital
printing landscape..
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