PrintPack 2011 transpires at a time when there's a raging debate which says: Change is too expensive; but the status quo is unsustainable. This is a huge predicament for print firms. What is your view?
Change is the need of the times. It is important to be abreast with the latest technologies in the markets which reduces production costs. It is the ultimate aim of a printing press.

Print company CEOs are saying, the cost of changing existing print production routines in India seems too high, but the cost of not changing is, in the long term, even higher.
Yes, the cost of change is high, but it also affects the production cost directly, quality of print and time to market.
 
Today, trust in major manufacturers (Indian and international) has declined.
I believe the manufacturer who invests in technology is the one to be believed.

How does one pick and choose who are the winners and the losers?
A manufacturer will always tend to be a winner if he uses the technology the right way and uses this technology to his benefit by bettering quality output.

So what according to you is the key to success?
Quality according to me is the key to success in the printing industry. The one who prints quality is sure to be a winner; and in turn a leader in his own sector.

We think higher raw material costs and shortages will be the main issues in 2011. 
I agree that rising costs of raw material are adding to the burden of the printer. And so is the uncertainty in the market making printers a bit of a sitting duck. But we also see that printers tend to panic and stock material.

Under such circumstances, what should be a good strategy for a print firm in India?
I think the technique of ‘just in time’ may help where the printer need not block huge capital on the raw material stocks but just buy materials as and when required, or for that matter just forecast for a short period. This is still not a sure shot solution; it may work for some, not for others.
 
Which best practices in India have impressed you? 
I guess the best practices that impress me the most, is the one in which printer invests in technology and believes that technology is the future which will help get more business.

Please give specific examples that you've encountered so that we understand the print world in a way that can help others better their standards.
I know a customer of mine who bought a X-Rite plate reader from us even when he did not have a CTP system in his premises. On asking the reason of doing so, the reply that I received was: "I want to ensure my plate quality is up to the mark as this effects my printing. It's no use blaming the plate maker after I see the print as I have already lost time and money in testing the plate". This is what I call, future thinking.
 
Printing is a business, and many print companies are doing their best business by delivering their print buyers what they want. Is this how it should be?
Catering to the print buyers requirements is surely the most important part of the business. This ensures buyer satisfaction. But I also believe that it is important to educate the buyer about the technology and investments made. An enlightened buyer will make the job of getting premium prices easy.

What are some examples of print firms in India that are practicing the right kind of printing, in your opinion? Please give examples.
The right kind of print firms in my opinion are those presses which follow a colour managed workflow right from the pre-press to the press. Presses who take effort to carry out maintenance of the machines, use manual or auto scanning densitometers and spectrodensitometers and such equipment to control colour are practicing the right kind of printing in my opinion.
 
PrintPack 2011, with more than 400 exhibitors has everything up for grabs. What are the new technologies we should expect during PrintPack 2011?
PrintPack has always been a good show. With lot of international exhibitors participating, there will be new products for the Indian markets. The traditional players have and will always be at forefront as they have been serving the market for a long time. But I guess there is space for everyone.