Индустрия печати и упаковки в Индии переходит к премиальному производству и цифровым технологиям

The past week highlighted how the print, packaging and publishing sectors are increasingly being shaped by premiumisation, technology investment and strategic diversification. At the PrintWeek Awards 2026 Jury Meet in Mumbai, jurors observed a growing emphasis on tactile, high-impact print products, signalling a broader shift from volume-driven manufacturing to experience-led production. Categories spanning books, brochures, catalogues, fine art, digital print and packaging demonstrated how printers are focusing on quality, innovation and value creation. In publishing, developments reflected both growth opportunities and ongoing debates around editorial independence. The collapse of the Indian publishing deal for Sonia Gandhi's memoir with Penguin Random House India underscored the sensitivities surrounding high-profile titles, while the Federation of Indian Publishers' partnership with NielsenIQ BookData to launch the India Book Market Report 2026–2030 pointed to a more data-driven future for the sector.  The launch of the Indian Chamber of Commerce's centenary volume, Never Taking No for an Answer: India's Indomitable Private Enterprise, in Mumbai, alongside concerns over the future of the Urdu children's magazine Gul Bootay following the death of editor Farooq Syed, further illustrated the diverse challenges and opportunities facing the publishing landscape. Technology and capital expenditure remained dominant themes across the industry. Fujifilm India expanded its presence with a new Electronic Materials headquarters in Ahmedabad focused on semiconductor packaging, while OnPrintShop prepared to showcase artificial intelligence-powered web-to-print solutions at Printing United Expo 2026 in Las Vegas.  Investments at production facilities also continued unabated. Sivakasi-based Graphic Technic Prints installed a second Rhyguan machine supplied by Flexo Image Graphics, Ahmedabad's Amba Multiprint added another Multitec flexo press to strengthen flexible packaging operations, Jaipur-based Bravura Packers invested in a DGM TechnoFold folder-gluer to boost automation, and Prayagraj-based Classic Printer expanded its digital capabilities with a Canon ImagePress V1000. A parallel trend has been the movement towards broader business ecosystems. Elephant's appointment of Mayuri Nikumbh as chief design officer, Kapoor Imaging's diversification into flexo packaging, electronics and digital systems under Sharan Kapoor, and Hubergroup executives Baldev Garg and Pratip Dey's advocacy for integrated technology, raw material and customer partnerships all point to companies seeking growth through interconnected capabilities rather than standalone investments. Packaging also continued to gain strategic importance. The World Packaging Organisation used World Packaging Day to emphasise packaging's role in food security, sustainability and economic resilience, while Loupe India 2026, formerly Labelexpo India, continued preparations for its landmark edition, reflecting sustained momentum in the label and package-printing market. Trade associations are likewise adopting a more strategic role. The Kerala Master Printers Association outlined plans to address membership growth, workforce development and compliance, while the Indian Printing Packaging & Allied Machinery Manufacturers' Association promoted PrintPack India at Ipmex Malaysia 2026, signalling continued efforts to strengthen international engagement. Taken together, the week's developments suggest an industry increasingly focused on premium print applications, digital transformation, packaging-led growth, artificial intelligence, operational efficiency and collaborative business models, with companies from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Sivakasi, Jaipur and Prayagraj all contributing to the sector's continuing evolution.