Nearly a decade ago, Agra-based Darpan Printers achieved a key milestone with the installation of its first brand new Komori offset press – an Enthrone 429. This was not a one-off investment but the start of a decade-long transformation. By 2018, a second Enthrone 429 joined the company’s production floor, followed by a third in 2023. Today, Darpan has reached a new pinnacle with the installation of a brand new Lithrone G37, a highly advanced model designed to boost productivity and unlock new applications in the packaging sector.
The vision for growth
While Darpan’s roots date back to a desktop publishing (DTP) house started in 1992 by the family, the company’s modern identity started taking shape in 2016. It was then that Aaryan Dhanwani recognized the need to move away from pre-owned machinery and invest in cutting-edge technology. “I was convinced that to compete at a high level, we need to run brand new machines with the latest technologies,” says Aaryan. “It was a significant leap of faith at the time, but the arrival of the first Enthrone 429 in 2016 changed our entire approach to short-run printing. It set a new standard for quality and reliability that our clients immediately noticed.”
The power of partnership – Richal joins the journey
In 2018, a pivotal year for the company, Richal A Manchhanda, wife of Dhanwani, joined the business. Her entry coincided with a surge in demand that led to the installation of Darpan’s second Komori press. With Richal’s involvement in management and operations, the company successfully scaled its output.
“In 2018, we were redefining what short-run printing looked like in Agra,” says Dhanwani. “We were engaging in jobs ranging from 500 to 1,000 runs, often converting nearly 25 different jobs per day. It became clear that we couldn’t manage the increasing volume with just one press. The synergy within our team allowed us to integrate the second, and eventually the third, Enthrone 429 seamlessly into our production workflow.”
Technical excellence – the Enthrone series
The Enthrone 429 has been the backbone of Darpan’s success. Engineered to operate at a speed of 13,000 sph (sheets per hour), it handles sheet thicknesses ranging from 0.04 mm to 0.06 mm. Its advanced automations – such as the Komori PQC and SAPC (semi-automatic plate mounting) system – make it the ideal press for a diverse job mix. The competency of this technology was so high that a third unit was added in 2023 to keep pace with Darpan’s growth.
The latest arrival – a packaging workhorse
The most recent addition to the Darpan family is the Lithrone GL37, which Dhanwani describes as a “versatile workhorse” specifically chosen for packaging conversion. This A1-size press handles sheets up to 640 x 940 mm and supports substrates up to 0.8 mm thick. With a maximum speed of 15,000 sph (sheets per hour), it is designed to propel Darpan into the high-end packaging arena.
“We are now fully geared up to establish a prominent presence in packaging,” says Dhanwani. “Beyond the hardware, we owe a great deal to the Komori India team. They have been an instrument in training our staff to run these presses with maximum efficiency. Their prompt support, no matter the circumstance, is why we look forward to a long future of upgraded technology and partnership.”
A regional leader
Operating from a 10,000 sq. ft. facility with a dedicated team of 25 highly skilled staff members, Darpan serves an extensive list of regular clients. While based in Agra, their reach extends across Uttar Pradesh to cities like Jhansi, Etawah, Mainpuri, and Kasganj, as well as several prominent clients in Madhya Pradesh.