Bangalore-based iTek Packz has been a serial winner at the recently announced 2020 Excellence in Flexography awards by the Flexography Technical Association (FTA), USA. and has been awarded gold for Flexography in Narrow Web category for the third consecutive year. “For us the highlight was to receive the highly acclaimed Best in Show Award. Being consistently recognized by FTA and receiving the Best in Show award is a huge honor for our business,” said Gopi Ballarwad, head – operations, iTek Packz.
iTek Packz was praised by the FTA jury for its winning entry of a vibrant soap carton in narrow web (process, paperboard). The judges stated, “Lots of action in the carton, and it couldn’t have been executed better. Great screen work, great trap, and great register. The printer’s use of gold cold foil worked out very well. And the overprint varnish textures add measurable diversity and depth.” The company also received a silver award in the narrow web category (process, metalized) for producing a highly embellished brandy. The judges commented that it was flawlessly executed.
A leading print supplier of self-adhesive labels and converter of printed cartons in India, iTek Packz installed an Edale Fl5 flexo press in 2017 and invested in an Edale FL3 wide label press in 2019. Currently, iTek has sheetfed and flexo capabilities to manufacture folding cartons and self-adhesive labels. iTek Packz was formed in 2013, buying back the folding carton unit of Wintek after ITW acquired Wintek’s flexo division.
DuPont Cyrel flexo plates
“Our Best in Show carton entry was produced for a customer who wanted 6-7 colors, gold matte foil, and varnish with other effects. We are delighted to achieve the desired quality using our best in class technology and print capabilities. All these award-winning carton designs were printed with DuPont Cyrel flexo plates on Edale Press,” said Ballarwad.
Speaking about the advantages offered by Cyrel flexo plates, Ballarwad added, “We are highly satisfied with the performance of Cyrel flexo plates, enabling us to achieve high quality printing without hassles, for a range of package printing applications. We’ve been using Cyrel plates for more than a decade now and have found them to deliver high quality consistent results.”
Veepee Graphics
iTek Packz buys its flexographic printing plates from Bangalore-based flexo trade shop Veepee Graphics. “Our relationship with DuPont dates back to 1995, when we started our flexo trade shop business. Being a new industry, the initial hand holding, and support of DuPont helped in cementing the partnership which has only become stronger over the last 25 years. Today, more than just a supplier, DuPont is an extended family of Veepee Graphics. Given our experience and in-depth understanding of the flexo industry, we are privileged to associate with DuPont on testing its new offerings in flexo. Together, working closely with the converters and the brand owners has helped build our businesses over the years in the printing industry,” said Jai Chandra, managing director, Veepee Graphics.
Speaking about iTek Packz’s glory at FTA, Chandra said, “As always, team iTek Packz has surpassed expectations and made India proud by winning this coveted award. Ever since their foray into flexographic printing a few decades back, they have pushed this technology to the limits and carved out a niche market, making themselves front runners of the industry. We are extremely fortunate to be associated with them and proud to be a part of their glorious achievement. Wishing them many more laurels in the years to come.”
Lucy Chen, business leader – Asia Pacific, DuPont Image Solutions, said, “We are excited and proud for iTek and Veepee, both longstanding promoters of top quality flexo. This win indicates well for the Indian flexo industry foraying into the folding carton and flexible packaging markets with inline press. Judging by the print quality of the DuPont 2020 calendar done in flexo by iTek, the carton job awarded must be simply exceptional.”
