The current landscape of print education in India is facing considerable challenges. The existing system for imparting education to aspiring printers and the youth is not sufficiently preparing them to meet industry requirements. As a result, there is a gap between the skills and knowledge acquired by students and the expectations of the print industry, which is evolving rapidly and demands a workforce capable of driving transformation and growth.
Growth in the printing sector is increasingly dependent on the adoption of innovative ideas, which has become a standard across all industries. Printing, being a distinctive industry that merges technology and creativity, requires professionals to understand, adapt, and utilise this unique combination. The ability to integrate technological advancements with creative solutions, executed with the highest degree of professionalism, is essential for sustained progress within the sector.
AIFMP’s initiative and approach
To address these concerns, the All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) has launched an initiative aimed at thoroughly understanding the actual status of both the printing industry and print education. The objective is to create a collaborative platform that brings together academia and the print industry. By facilitating joint brainstorming sessions, this platform will help identify the core challenges and pain points faced by the sector.
Through this partnership, logical and real-time solutions can be developed, and a structured process for achieving targeted outcomes can be established. The support and involvement of both academic institutions and industry representatives, coordinated through AIFMP, will be crucial in implementing these strategies effectively and ensuring that the print education system produces a workforce ready to meet the demands of the modern printing industry.
Process
To provide a systematic approach for addressing the challenges in print education and skill development, the All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) will organize a board meeting every six months. These meetings will bring together members from academia, the education and training committee, and printers from various regions. The primary objective of these sessions will be to conduct thorough brainstorming to identify all pain areas affecting print education and skill development. Participants will engage in discussions to propose logical solutions that are aligned with the present requirements of the industry.
A critical focus during these meetings will be the rapid pace of technological transformation within the printing sector. The group will deliberate on strategies to ensure that print education and skill development programmes remain current and responsive to ongoing industry changes. Addressing this challenge is regarded as an essential element of the initiative, ensuring that educational and training efforts consistently meet industry standards and demands.
Signing MOUs with technical universities and institutes
The All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) has adopted a systematic process for advancing print education and skill development in India. As part of this approach, AIFMP will sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with technical universities and institutes that offer programmes in print education and skill development for students. The purpose of these MOUs is to establish a formal collaboration between academia and the print industry, thereby creating a unified platform for joint efforts. Through this partnership, both sectors can work together towards achieving the specific targets outlined for enhancing print education and nurturing industry-ready talent. The collaborative nature of this initiative is intended to bridge the gap between educational outcomes and industry needs, ensuring that the objectives of skill development and professional training are met efficiently.
Beginning of a New Era: Ground-breaking Signing of MOU
The date 27th April 2026 marks a significant milestone in the journey towards revitalising print education in India. On this day, the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) and Nachimuthu Polytechnic College, Pollachi, laying the foundation for a new era of academic–industry collaboration in the printing sector.
The MOU was formally executed and signed by the secretary of Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering & Technology on behalf of Nachimuthu Polytechnic College (NPTC) and Harjinder Singh, chairman, Education & Training committee, representing AIFMP. The ceremony was graced by the principal of NPTC, M Ashok, Professor Murugapandiyan P, Head of the Department of Printing at NPTC, O Venugopal and Vinay Kalaskar, both co-chairmen of the Education & Training Committee, along with numerous staff and faculty members of NPTC. To commemorate this momentous occasion, Dr. M Ashok, principal of NPTC, and O Venugopal, co-chairman of the Education & Training Committee, signed as witness to this MOU.
With the initiation of this collaboration partnership between NPTC and AIFMP, the groundwork is now established for signing similar MOUs with additional technical universities and institutes across India. The Education & Training Committee (E&TC) has already engaged in productive discussions with at least seven other technical institutes, and it is anticipated that most of these MOUs will be formalised by July 2026. It is crucial to involve as many institutes as possible, as this collaborative approach with academia will facilitate comprehensive brainstorming and deliberations during joint board meetings with AIFMP. This process is expected to generate pertinent queries and lead to rational, implementable solutions, particularly in redefining how students are engaged and ensuring they gain a practical understanding of the science and technology underpinning the printing industry. The aim is to enable students, after initial training from machine suppliers, to confidently operate a range of printing machines, thereby enhancing the accessibility and optimal utilisation of the latest technology by Indian printers.
Another significant agenda item, and a considerable challenge, is the integration of innovation, Research and Development within the printing industry. It is imperative for printers to actively engage in innovation and R&D to elevate the status and competitiveness of the sector. However, limited resources and financial constraints often hinder independent R&D efforts by print businesses. This challenge can be addressed through academia–industry partnerships, where academic institutions collaborate with printers to conduct need-based R&D in various areas of the printing industry. Such research-driven collaboration will foster mutual benefit, improving both the industry and academic institutions. Ultimately, this will empower print technology students to contribute innovations on the shop floor, enabling presses to operate more efficiently and autonomously, and allowing printers to expand their operations flexibly in response to market demands.
Additionally, a major barrier to the growth of the printing sector is the lack of qualified marketing professionals. The presence of skilled marketing staff is essential for fostering consistent and sustainable business growth within the industry.
These are some of the critical areas that will be addressed through the collaborative efforts of academia, the Education & Training Committee, and industry stakeholders. Together, they will strive to develop logical and practical solutions that will drive the transformation and advancement of print education and the printing industry in India.
– Harjinder Singh, Chairman, Education & Training Committee, AIFMP
