PrintWeek Awards Jury Day three stages packaging as a silent salesman

On day three, the clear emphasis was on developments in conversion techniques, premiumisation, and the art of storytelling through packaging. It brought together packaging and label aficionados to judge a staggering 90 entries.

Sustainability was consistently at the forefront. Koel Bhadra of L’Oreal was particularly impressed by a “100% paperboard rigid box,” noting that the Indian printing industry has “moved beyond imagination.” She also highlighted the prioritisation of the unboxing experience, stressing that packaging as an experience must go hand-in-hand with functionality, sustainability, and innovation. Sheetal Dandekar of JB Chemicals shared her perspective on the industry’s evolution, stating, “Over the last decade, printing has experienced new heights in terms of innovation and sustainability.”

The theme of storytelling was a central focus. Nitin Nair of Zydus Wellness emphasised how labels now do more than just provide information; “they tell a story.” Ruma Ghatak of Nestle echoed this, spotlighting the importance of structural designs and material selection that prioritise consumer benefit. She called for open dialogue within the industry on themes like “screen printing and the use of braille in F&B packaging.”

Sanjay Ghoshal of Diageo India reflected on the “massive shift in packaging in the last 25 years through sustainability” and noted that the award samples had managed to “inculcate sustainability in their packaging without any increase in cost.” He celebrated “uncommon shapes that disrupt shelves, which catch the eye of the consumer.” His message was clear: “Progress must be holistic among all stakeholders within the industry, such as converters and manufacturers.”

Functionality was also a key metric. Amit Saurkar from Marico rooted for functional designs like perforations in airline packs. Riddhi Patil of Glenmark praised the overall exhibition of packaging and eloquently stated, “Packaging is always a silent salesman.” One of the key innovations in the labels category was The Skin Story's label, which peels off to reveal a calendar with scratch-off ink which can be used to keep track of serum usage. A simple yet functional purpose of how a label can do more than just provide information.

Dr Geetal Mahajan Choudhari of Kenvue concluded the day by noting how brands are making a conscious effort to move beyond plastic. She found a rigid box lined with 100% organic cotton especially interesting. This, she said, was a prime example of the industry's commitment to using “conscious packaging materials and its reusability.”

A standout trend was the adoption of specialty printing by smaller, homegrown brands. Chinmaya Dandekar of Godrej Consumers noted this shift, stating, “Smaller homegrown brands are increasingly not only adopting, but are mastering the art of speciality printing — an art that was previously only explored by premium brands.” He specifically highlighted how “homegrown whiskey brands are paving the way forward by experimenting with impressive tactile touches and finishes.”

Raju Kalgutkar of Piramal Consumer Healthcare pointed out significant advancements in sustainability, craftsmanship, intricate detailing, and post-press jobs. He observed the innovative use of “holographic and letter-lens effects” in the pharma space and an increased emphasis on personalisation, citing a special limited edition Halloween product packaging featuring glow-in-the-dark elements.

The PrintWeek Awards Jury Days ultimately painted a picture of a thriving and dynamic industry, one that is not only embracing technological advancement but is also using it to create more purposeful, sustainable, and memorable products for the end consumer.