Mr. Harsha Ashok, Manager International Business – Autoprint Machinery Mfrs Pvt. LTD beside Autoprint One-Colour Press at ANKAN GRAPHICS LTD Stand during PROPAK West Africa 2025.
From zero to over 12500 installations, exporting to more than 95 countries in a span of just 32 years, Autoprint Machinery Mfrs Pvt. LTD (Autoprint for short) has emerged as a market leader in the offset printing and allied machinery manufacturing industry, thanks to its customer-centric product design, innovation, and cost-effectiveness, all backed by robust after-sales service support. Little wonder one of its brands – Autoprint One-Colour Press not only stole the show at the just concluded West Africa’s biggest packaging, plastics, printing, and food processing exhibition – PROPAK West Africa 2025 but also recorded unprecedented sales right from the show floor from domestic and international visitors around Africa. WHERE To Print caught up with Autoprint Manager for International Business, Mr. Harsha Ashok, at its Ankan Graphics LTD partner stand during the show to find out, amongst others, how the Coimbatore, India-based printing machines manufacturer intends to support the African market as it continues to alter global perception of Indian-made printing equipment. The summary of his response is excerpted below in this exclusive SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW:
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESSFUL DISPLAY OF THE AUTOPRINT ONE-COLOUR MACHINE AT PROPAK WEST AFRICA 2025; HOW DO YOU FEEL?
We feel truly delighted and humbled by the response at PROPAK West Africa. It’s always rewarding to see how strongly the Autoprint brand resonates with customers. The excitement, curiosity, and confidence shown by visitors reaffirm our commitment to delivering machines that are reliable, affordable, and tailored for the African market.
“The Autoprint One-Colour Press is engineered with simplicity, durability, and affordability in mind”.
WHAT INFORMED YOUR DECISION TO DISPLAY AUTOPRINT LIVE AT PROPAK WEST AFRICA THIS YEAR?
West Africa is one of the fastest-growing printing and packaging hubs on the continent. Nigeria, in particular, is a gateway for this growth. We wanted customers to see the machine live, running with the new Polymaster plates, so they could appreciate both the quality and the cost benefits firsthand. A live demo creates trust and shows how practical our innovations are in real-world conditions.
- The revolutionary One-Colour Autoprint Press.
CAN YOU TELL US SOME OF THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE AUTOPRINT ONE-COLOUR PRESS THAT MAKE IT DIFFERENT FROM THE COMPETITION, AND WHAT INVESTORS STAND TO GAIN FROM ACQUIRING THE MACHINE?
The Autoprint One-Colour Press is engineered with simplicity, durability, and affordability in mind. A key differentiator this year was our demonstration using Polymaster plates instead of conventional CTP plates. Customers were excited to see how easy they are to use, and how significantly they reduce plate-making costs without compromising print quality. Combined with low power consumption, easy operation, and readily available spares, this technology offers investors faster return on investment (ROI) and lower long-term operating costs.
“We will begin installations in Lagos and Abuja shortly, and are also finalizing projects in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. This spread shows how widely our innovation has resonated with customers across West Africa”.
TODAY, SUSTAINABILITY IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES DRIVING INVESTMENT. HOW ARE AUTOPRINT MACHINES DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY QUESTIONS IN TERMS OF CARBON EMISSIONS, WASTE REDUCTION, ENERGY COST, AND WORK EFFICIENCY, AMONG OTHERS?
Sustainability is central to our design philosophy. Our presses consume significantly less power, minimize paper and ink wastage, and are engineered for long-term efficiency. The Polymaster plate system also contributes to sustainability, as it reduces chemical use and energy demand compared to conventional CTP processes. By lowering costs and environmental impact, Autoprint machines help customers become more profitable while staying future-ready.
WE UNDERSTAND YOU HAD QUITE A LOT OF ORDERS DURING THE SHOW; CAN YOU TELL US WHICH PART OF THE COUNTRY, OR OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, WE SHOULD START SEEING AUTOPRINT INSTALLATIONS?
Yes, the response was overwhelming, especially because customers immediately saw the value of running Polymaster plates instead of expensive CTP systems. We will begin installations in Lagos and Abuja shortly, and are also finalizing projects in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. This spread shows how widely our innovation has resonated with customers across West Africa.
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO OPERATORS IN HANDLING THEIR MACHINES, NOT JUST AUTOPRINT, SO THAT THE PRESS CAN STAND THE TEST OF TIME?
The best advice is simple: respect the machine. Regular maintenance, using only genuine spare parts, and investing in operator training go a long way in extending the life of any press. At Autoprint, we always emphasize preventive care — a few minutes spent checking and cleaning the machine daily can save hours of downtime later.
“Autoprint is not only a leader in small offset printing machines but also offers a wide range of world-class post-press equipment”.
WITH ANKAN GRAPHICS LTD AS YOUR PARTNER, WHAT ASSURANCE ARE YOU GIVING YOUR CUSTOMERS TO GUARANTEE YOUR COMMITMENT TO THEIR SERVICE, SPARE, AND OTHER TECHNICAL NEEDS ANYTIME, ANY DAY?
Our partnership with Ankan Graphics LTD is built on trust and a shared vision of customer satisfaction. Ankan brings a strong local presence, technical expertise, and inventory of spares to ensure customers never feel stranded. Together, we guarantee timely service, quick response to technical issues, and availability of parts – the key ingredients for uninterrupted production.
- Interested Investors wanting to know more about Autoprint One-Colour Press during PROPAK West Africa 2025.
AFTER PROPAK WEST AFRICA, WHICH OTHER PROPAK SHOW WILL YOU BE SHOWCASING AUTOPRINT AT?
Autoprint will continue to expand its footprint across Africa. After West Africa, we plan to participate in PROPAK East Africa in Nairobi and also PROPAK Cape in South Africa. These are key markets where we want to demonstrate our commitment and bring our solutions closer to Printers. We will also be at the Gulf Print & Pack, hopefully in March 2026, and the following drupa 2028.
ACQUIRING BRAND-NEW PRESSES CAN BE HIGHLY CAPITAL-INTENSIVE, AMONG OTHER FACTORS, FOR A SMALL/MEDIUM-SCALE PRINT & ALLIED BUSINESS. DOES AUTOPRINT HAVE PRE-OWNED MACHINES, AND HOW CAN PRINTING COMPANIES ACQUIRE THEM?
Yes, Autoprint supports small and medium-scale Printers by offering certified pre-owned presses. These machines are refurbished, tested, and guaranteed by us, making them a reliable alternative for businesses looking to grow without overextending financially. Companies can acquire them directly through our dealers, with flexible financing options depending on the market.
ANY NEWS OR INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
Autoprint is not only a leader in small offset printing machines but also offers a wide range of world-class post-press equipment. Our drip-off coaters and carton inspection systems are truly unique and have earned global recognition for their quality and innovation. Today, Autoprint machines are installed and trusted across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and virtually every part of the world.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?
Autoprint is an India-based manufacturer of high-quality offset printing presses and finishing equipment, with more than three decades of experience. We are proud to have over 13,000 installations across 70+ countries. Our philosophy is to combine world-class engineering with affordability, ensuring that small and medium-sized Printers can access reliable technology. With innovations like the Polymaster plate system, we are setting new benchmarks for cost efficiency, making Autoprint not just a supplier but a true growth partner for African print businesses.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Thank you too, for having me.
