Creative Graphics Solutions, the first flexographic tradeshop in the country to break geographic barriers has many strength points including the expertise in conversion of gravure jobs to flexo. In talk with MD Deepanshu Goel.
Creative Graphics Solutions started two decade ago and built its reputation on continuous innovation in process, upgradation in its facilities and improving on services and customers experience.
The first milestone was when Creative Graphics Solutions chose to go digital and multi-locational in year 2012. “Creative Graphics Solutions was first flexographic tradeshop in India to break geographic barriers,” says Mr. Deepanshu Goel, MD, Creative Graphics Solutions. It gave them a wide array of clients and also ability to serve customer faster and better. Creative Graphics Solutions’ approach to no-negotiable quality and unparallel service has helped it to achieve new markets and retain customers.
Beating the pandemic
The pandemic period was a tough one for all and so it has been for Creative Graphics Solutions. According to Deepanshu, “Now a days it is VUCA world. External situations are extremely challenging and to a company to survive and excel, there is continuous need of flexibility and adaptability. It was really a challenging time during pandemic for every industry but now we can experience a very positive changes and steep hike in demand. For example, there have been large changes in converting process of boxes, paper and other packaging product recently, which has lead the changes in printing processes. The largest growing segments are labels and corrugation.”
Creative Graphics Solutions has adapted to the changing demands of the market with innovative approach and astute strategic changes. They are working with some large brands and providing them a one shop solution, right from adaptability of artwork, according to process, reprography, mock proof on actual substrate to press pass to give consistent output at all converters across India. “Our key initiatives in this direction will be getting new Technologies, improving efficiencies and getting into new markets,” shares Deepanshu.
With a total strength of 300 + people, an experienced and dedicated management team leads the affairs at Creative Graphics Solutions. Mr S.Sakelley is the CEO, ably assisted by his team that includes, Mr Jairaj as head prepress, Mr Hemant as CFO, Mr Rajiv Sharma as head operations and Mr Sunil Bajaj as head Technical.
After a struggling year because of Corona, Creative Graphics Solutions is seeing a surge in demand. “We have been achieving a double digit growth YOY and looking forward to add one more facility to the current lot of seven,” says Deepanshu Goel.
Creative Graphics Solutions’ core strength is deep knowledge of flexographic printing process and has a similar strong point when it comes to its all variables including plates, inks, tape etc. “Our colour management technology is our forte and the strength shows for itself when it come to simulating the print at our end to be printed on different presses. Our expertise is also in conversion of gravure jobs to flexo,” emphasizes Deepanshu.
Recognizing the increasing interest of printers and customers alike in embellishment technologies, Deepanshu underlines the future of printing and packaging and changing customer preferences, “Embellishment is the icing of cake and gives lot of value addition; it is always easy to grab customer attention with these embellishments. It has also been an integral part of liquor and luxury industry. Now it is being used to give rich feeling to the ultimate product. Different varnishes, foiling, metal ink printing, embossing can be done inline with flexography process and is currently the flavour of all brand owners.”
Changing trends and Creative Graphics Solutions
“There is continuous change in printing technology because of changes in manufacturing of packaging material,” observes Deepanshu. Offset printed cartons are being shifted to flexography pre and post print because of automation of process, quality of cartons and cost advantages. “Brand owners are emphasizing on flexography instead of Gravure because of sustainability. Digital is taking over short run markets and commercial printing. Our focus is on adapting to new demands of market, simulation of process and abolishing the obstacles of flexographic process,” he explains.
Digital printing is taking over many of the printed products previously being printed through various other processes. “Digital is definitely making new head ways and upcoming,” notes Deepanshu. “But largely, it is a complimentary technology to different processes – good for short runs. I think, for example, corrugated printing through digital is not successful and will take ages to be practically implemented,” he reckons.
Key offerings and technologies behind
Speaking about the latest products, services and solutions offerings from the company, Creative Graphics Solutions is the first company in India which is coming up with Photopolymer sleeves technology. “Till date it has been one of biggest hurdles for seamless printing and growth of flexo process,” he stresses.
Creative Graphics Solutions has also come up with its other arm CG Premedia which deals in premedia activities and mock proof. Deepanshu strongly believes their photopolymer sleeves, mock proof and premedia services along with flexographic plates would be the frontrunners of driving the future trends in our industry.
The products and solutions of Creative Graphics Solutions are promoted usually through participation in exhibitions and other media activities. The wide range of solutions by the company stand out due to Creative Graphics Solutions’ customer oriented approach, a dedicated team, adaptability to new circumstances, regular acquisition of new technology and equipment. “Above all hunger for growth and to lead are our key strengths,” avows Deepanshu.
Dupont, Esko and Kodak are their biggest technology partners. “State-of-the-art German machines from Dupont and imaging technology form KODAK and ESKO constitute vital part of Creative Graphics Solutions. Besides, powerful software from ESKO helps us achieve consistent output,” reveals Deepanshu.
Creative Graphics Solutions is a certified IMS quality by none other than SGS. They are also validated by SEDEX. “We have stringent SOP for quality and give regular training to our staff to achieve consistent quality,” further informs Deepanshu.
Having invested heavily in new technologies like photopolymer sleeves and new software to improve efficiencies, Creative Graphics Solutions is looking forward to expand to some new locations. They are largely exporting flexo plates to western markets. Besides, their new venture CG premedia is also offering premedia services and solutions to different markets.
Creative Graphics Solutions and its team find their core strength in their out of the box thinking and owe it all to their customers’ support that has spelled success for them and a name to reckon with in the Indian flexographic market.
