Premium packaging and digital labelling drive Mahavir Graphics

Mahavir Graphics is positioning itself as a strategic packaging solutions partner to India's burgeoning food and beverage (F&B) sector, capitalising on the shift that sees packaging as a critical branding and customer engagement tool. The company’s presence at Aahar 2026, traditionally a food and hospitality trade show, was a move to secure direct access to key decision-makers.

"Packaging plays a critical role in the overall food and hospitality experience," explained Vishal Jain of Mahavir Graphics. The event provided a platform to engage with sweet brands, chocolatiers, cloud kitchens, bakers, coffee chains, and hospitality groups actively seeking to elevate their product aesthetics and functionality.

The company’s high-end rigid boxes, particularly those designed for sweets and chocolate packaging, drew the most commercial attention. Visitors focused on premium finishes such as embossed UV and gold foiling, which impart a luxurious appeal. Strong interest was also registered for customised label solutions and stickers, fulfilling the needs of emerging food brands seeking high-quality branding for short-run production. Festive and gifting-oriented packaging concepts resonated strongly, highlighting a market focus on presentation as a key differentiator.

Mahavir Graphics showcased a combination of advanced print finishes and flexible production capabilities to meet modern market demands. Beyond specialty coatings and premium print finishes, the company highlighted its ability to handle low to medium volume orders with high customization, which is essential for startups and seasonal campaigns (short-run efficiency).

On the sustainability front, the company emphasised its work with food grade substrates and an optimized material usage approach, balancing luxury aesthetics with responsible material choices. A key technology demonstrated was Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL Tags)—digital, Wi-Fi enabled screens placed in retail and hospitality locations to accurately and efficiently display product information, maintained remotely from a central office.

Looking ahead, Jain sees the growth trajectory for food packaging in India as "extremely positive" over the next two to three years. He identified three clear trends shaping the market: increased investment in high-quality, visually striking packaging (Premiumisation); demand for flexible, small-batch solutions due to the rise of D2C and niche food brands (Customisation and short runs); and a growing demand for eco-friendly materials and processes (Sustainable innovation). "Packaging is no longer an afterthought, it’s becoming central to brand identity and customer experience, and we see this trend accelerating rapidly," he signed off.