In today’s rapidly evolving
digital printing landscape,
specialty papers are playing a
vital role in transforming
ordinary print into
extraordinary experiences. To
gain insights into this niche yet
impactful segment, we were ‘In
Conversation’ with Raju Suneja
- Director Marketing, Sona
Papers, a leading specialty
paper vendor catering to the
printing industry. In this candid
interaction, he shares his
perspectives on current market
trends, the importance of
substrate innovation,
sustainability, and how digital
printers can leverage specialty
papers to differentiate
themselves and add value to
every print job.
Veerendra Malik (VM): What are the latest innovations in
specialty papers for digital printing, and how have they
evolved in the past few years?
Raju Suneja (RS): As the: printing industry shifts towards
digital printing, our company is actively adapting to this
change by aligning our fine paper offerings with the evolving
needs of both offset and digital printers. We are supplying
high-quality fine papers that are optimized for digital printing
under the brand “TOGO”.
With the increasing focus on eco-friendly printing, we are
offering sustainable fine paper options, including recycled
and FSC-certified papers, which cater to the environmentally
conscious digital printing market. We are working closely
with digital press manufacturers and commercial printers to
test and develop paper solutions that enhance the
performance of digital printing processes, ensuring
consistent and premium print output. Understanding that
digital printing thrives on short-run, on-demand, and
personalized printing, we offer specialty fine papers that add
value to high-end, customized print applications, such as
luxury packaging, corporate stationery, and premium
marketing materials.
By staying ahead of market trends and investing in
innovation, we are ensuring that our fine paper continues to
be the preferred choice for both offset and digital printing in
this evolving industry
VM: What role do specialty papers play in enhancing the
perceived value of luxury packaging and high-end print perceived value of luxury packaging and high-end print
marketing materials?
RS: Specialty papers play a crucial role in enhancing the
perceived value of luxury packaging and high-end print
marketing materials by adding a sense of exclusivity,
sophistication, and tactile appeal. Its unique texture makes
the product feel more premium and influences the
perception and durability at market selves. With its special
look and feel it makes the product look visually appealling
and it helps differentiate premium brands from mass-market
competitors by conveying exclusivity.
VM: What role do specialty papers play in enhancing
sustainability and eco-friendly printing solutions?
RS: Well our basket of specialty papers plays vital role in
promoting sustainability and eco-friendly printing solutions
by offering environmentally responsible alternatives without
compromising quality, aesthetics, or functionality. Paper
produced from FSC certified pulp and from post consumer
recycled pulp, ensures responsible forestry practice. Most of
our specialty papers are designed to be fully biodegradable
and compostable, reducing waste and environmental
impact
VM: How important is tactile appeal (textures, metallic finishes, embossing) in creating brand differentiation, and what options does Sona Papers offer?
RS: Well, you see, specialty papers play a vital role in the perceived value of products. There are many examples
where companies and brands have used our paper’s
offerings like pearlescent coatings, rough-gloss, texture to
create a visually striking appearance. Our papers like Natural
Evolution, Insize Modigiliani, Munken, I mean the names are
endless. We have multiple offerings that gel with the sensory
need of the designs.
VM: Can you share insights on the latest innovations in
coated, textured, or synthetic papers that enhance digital coated, textured, or synthetic papers that enhance digital
print quality?
RS: Currently we do not have any synthetic paper offerings in
our Basket but our principles do have. Hence if there is a
requirement from the customer’s end, that can be fulfilled. In
coated and texture offerings, we have a wide range to offer like;
Natural evolution papers, from Cordenons Insper M, Xtella,
Ensemble from Hansol and a lot of texture and coated papers
from Fedrigoni paper mills and Neenah paper mills.
.
VM: What are the key challenges faced by printers when
using specialty papers, and how does Sona Papers help
overcome them?
RS: I would say that the print and converting industry in India is run by intellectuals and geniuses. It is being run and operated by learned professionals and I don’t think that they would face any challenge while printing on Speciality papers. The available technology, be it offset or digital prints are capable enough to print on speciality media.
VM: How are specialty paper manufacturers collaborating with digital press OEMs to optimize paper compatibility and performance?
RS: I do not know about industry but we have always had a policy of collaboration with the industries. We have recently collaborated with HP Indigo, canon, Xerox to showcase their print capability on our media. And going forward also this would be a continuous process as this kind of collaboration is the need of the hour
.
VM: What advice would you give to print service providers
looking to incorporate more specialty papers into their looking to incorporate more specialty papers into their
product offerings?
RS: For print service providers (PSPs) looking to incorporate more specialty papers into their product offerings, here are some key strategies to ensure success: Identify industries like luxury packaging, high-end branding, fine art printing, and sustainable printing solutions, and offer customization. Consider the right combination and permutation of paper weight, texture, coating, and sustainability for various applications. Last but not least, educating the team and the clients and offering sample dummies is very important.
VM: Looking ahead, what new product innovations can we
expect in the specialty paper segment for digital printing and
Sona Papers role in the industry?
RS: Indays to come we will have lots of new
announcements as we have collaborated with Fedrigoni
Paper, Italy. Their offerings are enormous. Wait for the
announcements..
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