Along with some stakeholders, Indigo Digital Press also known as Foto Speed Laser Colour Lab, has pioneered a number of innovations in the industry since its Mr. Antony Issac came to Nigeria about thirteen years ago. Starting with its introduction of digital photo printing; to being the first to use the Silver Halide Photo Book production system; to its recent launch of the very first Indigo Photo Book (Synthetic Album) Production Unit in Nigeria.
In this SPECIAL INTERVIEW spotlight – WHERE To Print caught up with Mr. Issac to shed light on the revolution that Indigo Digital Press has brought to Nigeria, how the company has remained committed to its goals and what plans the company has in place to remain the number one and the best photo printing company in Nigeria. Below is excerpt:
CAN WE MEET YOU?
I am Antony Issac, the General Manager of Indigo Digital Press, born and raised in India, came to Nigeria 13 years ago to introduce the new technology in photography and printing technology.
HOW LONG HAVE INDIGO DIGITAL PRESS BEEN IN THE BUSINESS OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
Indigo Digital Press (Foto Speed) was formally established in Nigeria by Mr. Lalu Baharani over 25 years ago who later handed over the company to Mr. Vivek T K – our present Director and we have made laudable impact to photography profession in Nigeria.
BEING IN THE INDUSTRY FOR YEARS; WHAT EXPERIENCE HAVE YOU GATHERED SO FAR?
It has been a very wonderful and eventful experience so far. Though photography then was nothing close to what we have today with analog photography making waves then and there were lots of technical challenges we overcame through the advent of digital photography that come into scene twelve years ago. Indigo Digital Press (Foto Speed) happened to be one of the pioneers of digital photography in Nigeria. We also were the first to start the photo book production in the country ten years ago. The advent of Digital Photography in Nigeria has paved way for the influx of investors into photography business, unlike in the analog era. We’ve been able to deal with technical and quality issues that have positioned us as the best in the country.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH IS MORE LUCRATIVE -DIGITAL OR ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHY?
The digital photography is quite lucrative and a sort of an eye opener to photographers and those whose hobby is photography. This is because it makes photography less cumbersome for the non professionals and highly competitive. During the analog era, before a photographer will get the feel of his or her job or the quality of the shots, it has to be taken to the photo laboratory for development, with the attendant error and omissions of the dark room. But unlike digital photography, the outcome of the shots is instantaneous. Digital photography is cost effective and gives room to prompt delivery which in return will yield good profit margin for the photographers when compared to the process of analog photography.
AS AN ERUDITE BUSINESS MAN IN NIGERIA AND WITH THE HINDSIGHT OF YOUR PARTICIPATION AT THE RECENTLY HELD PROPAK WEST AFRICA 2014, WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THE SHOW?
This year PROPAK West Africa is one of the well attended and organized exhibitions that I will ever come across in Nigeria. Being in Nigeria for about 13 years, that was the kind of exhibition that the Nigeria printing industry needs to foster the on-going growth and development thereby stimulates economic growth for the nation as a whole. It is also a platform for the players in the industry to know more about the industry and latest printing technologies.
AMIDST THE LOTS OF PHOTO BOOK PRODUCERS IN NIGERIA, WHAT ARE THE INHERENT QUALITIES THAT STANDS INDIGO DIGITAL PRESS OUT?
As I said earlier on, we recently change the company to Indigo Digital Press due to the on-going change from the traditional photo albums and photo laboratory we are known for when we were FOTO SPEED LASER COLOUR LAB. Now from the digitalized photo book and presently Indigo photo book (Non Tearable/ Water Proof/ Long Lasting & Very Light in Weight Synthetic Albums), we are known for the best quality print, customized advice to every customer, and very affordable prices. Over the years also, we have ensured we “stick to our guns” when it comes to the production of qualitative, colour balancing and professionally bounded photo albums. We always train and retrain our personnel to suit the innovations on ground at Indigo Digital Press and we add professional touch to all our jobs – our customers jobs are our jobs, so we give the best service in all our jobs. Also, the newly introduced Synthetic Photo Book albums speaks volume and attest to the fact that Indigo Digital Press remains the only one that produce non tear-able, light weight, water proof and long lasting photo book in Nigeria as of today. Also, we have online booking solutions to all our customers all over and beyond the shore of Nigeria for prompt delivery of jobs.
WHAT OTHER INNOVATION IS IN STORE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS?
The innovation we are still celebrating is the acquisition of the HP Indigo Digital Press, which has better quality than all other offset machines and Direct Imaging machines. This gives us the capacity to participate more effectively in commercial printing and publishing. The machine has also proved beyond reasonable doubt and attest to the fact that HP is one of the good manufacturers of quality technology for print business. The machine has capacity for quality, short run digital print job within the shortest possible time for delivery. Apart from photo albums, photo books, photo enlargement, and all other photography services – we also will be spreading our tentacles to production of Business Cards, Letter Heads, Leaflets, Flyers, Brochures, Calendars, Magazines and event management materials such as invitation cards, event programmes and also print services for advertising agencies.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS IN 2015?
We are assuring them of our total commitment to quality print services in 2015. Our values of quality, speed and total customer service will be once again centered around our highly valued customers. So we are open anytime to serve you.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME SIR
You’re most welcome.
BRIEF ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
I had my professional photography training at Philcorp Academy owned by Konica at Goa in India. After which I diverted to technical and management side of photolab. I specialize on photography and printing technology from the same academy.
