Have you ever wondered what goes into printing a flyer or the packaging of your favourite chocolate? Honestly, neither did we—until our recent visit to Copy Shoppe (Sumukh Prints and Graphics).

A Peek into the World of Printing

A few days ago, the team at Aadyaa visited Copy Shoppe’s offset printing site. We wanted to experience how the brochures, cards, pamphlets, diaries, and other products we design come to life in print.

Think about it: we walk into a store, head to the chocolate section, grab our favourite bar, pay for it, eat it, and toss the wrapper. Rarely do we consider the effort behind the vibrant designs on that wrapper. We often see it as nothing more than a protective layer. That viewpoint completely changed after stepping into the printing factory.

The Factory Floor Experience

The factory was buzzing with activity. Towering machines whirred in sync, stacks of paper sat ready for use, and tall bottles of ink lined the shelves. Every person there worked with focus and precision. Among the hustle, Mr. Venkatesh, the owner of Copy Shoppe, took time out to speak with us.

With over two decades in the industry, he’s a treasure trove of knowledge. Yet, his curiosity and passion remain as strong as ever.

The Journey of Mr. Venkatesh

After earning a commerce degree, Mr. Venkatesh wasn’t sure which career to pursue. He joined a printing company called Colour Splash as a delivery boy. It was a time when colour photocopying had just started in India. He began with no knowledge of printing but had a strong desire to learn.

He observed, asked questions, and learned everything by doing. “I was very inquisitive to see how they would print everything and was very eager to know what the clients were talking about,” he said. He only touched a printer after fully understanding its workings. His journey is a testament to learning through passion and perseverance.

Understanding Offset vs Digital Printing

During our visit, Mr. Venkatesh patiently explained the offset printing process. He also pointed out the key differences between offset and digital printing. Offset printing transfers ink from a plate to an aluminium sheet, which then rolls the ink onto paper or vinyl. Digital printing skips the plates and transfers ink directly.

He showed us aluminium plates, explained minimum order quantities, and talked about ink usage. Each step, from cutting paper to applying final touches, requires care and precision. The journey of a single sheet of paper is much more intricate than we imagined.

A Passion-Driven Success Story

Today, the man who started as a delivery boy runs a successful printing company with an impressive client list. “This business is everything to me. I’ve come this far because of passion—and that’s what you need to succeed,” he shared.