A global movement sparked by Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra continues to inspire pride, unity, and future vision across the printing industry.
In 2013, a simple yet powerful phrase was born that would ripple across continents, uniting printers from bustling workshops in India to high-tech facilities in Europe, America, Asia, and beyond. “Proud to be a Printer.” Coined by Kamal Mohan Chopra—veteran printer, educationist, technocrat, and former Chairman of the World Print and Communication Forum (WPCF)—this slogan marked the first deliberate, worldwide effort to celebrate the dignity, heritage, and indispensable role of the printing profession.
More than a catchy line, it became a movement. It restored self-confidence to an industry often overshadowed by digital disruption narratives, reminded society that printing remains the foundation of knowledge, commerce, culture, and packaging, and encouraged the next generation to see printing not merely as a trade but as a proud vocation.
The Vision Behind the Words
Prof. Chopra, owner of Foil Printers in Ludhiana and a lifelong advocate for the Indian and global print community, recognized a quiet crisis of perception. Despite printing’s profound impact—from Johannes Gutenberg’s press that democratized knowledge to today’s sophisticated digital, offset, and packaging technologies—many printers themselves undervalued their contribution. Young people rarely aspired to the profession.
His response was characteristically practical and inspiring. In 2013 he launched the slogan as a motivational campaign: to underline printing’s centrality in everyday life, give real-time recognition to practitioners, and inspire youth to consider careers in the field. Gold-plated “Proud to be a Printer” pins, badges, and stickers soon appeared at association meetings, conferences, and trade shows. Printers began wearing them with visible pride. Associations across India adopted it; the phrase echoed in international forums. It was never about nostalgia. It was about affirming that printers are knowledge workers, innovators, and national builders who put ideas into tangible, lasting form.
Recognition from Global Print Leaders
The slogan’s authenticity and timing resonated far beyond India’s borders. Eminent figures in the international print world took notice and expressed appreciation for Chopra’s tireless efforts to elevate the profession.
Benny Landa, the legendary Israeli inventor widely known as the “father of commercial digital printing” and founder of Indigo (later acquired by HP) and Landa Nanography, wrote the foreword to Chopra’s biography Imprint of a Printer. In it, Landa reflected on the enduring power of print even in a digital age: packaging alone accounts for more than half the industry’s turnover and continues to grow, unaffected by screens. While technology transforms how we print, the industry itself will thrive. Landa’s endorsement of Chopra’s life and mission lent powerful global weight to the spirit behind “Proud to be a Printer.”
Frank Romano, Professor Emeritus at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), prolific author of dozens of books on printing and typography, and co-founder of the Museum of Printing, has long praised Chopra’s contributions. Romano described Chopra’s historical chronology of printing as highlighting important milestones and serving as “a testament to the resilience and perseverance of printers.” Romano’s presence as chief guest at events such as the Print Olympiad—another of Chopra’s initiatives—further underscored the mutual respect among global print educators and leaders.
Leaders and associations in China, Europe, and elsewhere have similarly acknowledged the uniqueness of the campaign. Chopra remains the only Indian printer whose work on the history of printing is preserved at the Printing History Museum in Beijing and the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany. He was designated Honorary Professor at the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, the world’s largest university dedicated to printing technology—recognition that itself embodies the pride the slogan seeks to instil.
A Movement That Continues to Grow
The slogan did not remain words on a badge. It became woven into a broader tapestry of initiatives led or inspired by Prof. Chopra:
- Print Yatra (networking journeys across India)
- Print Chetna (awareness campaigns)
- Print Olympiad (the world’s only dedicated print knowledge competition for students)
- Formation of dozens of local printers’ associations
- Viren Chhabra Print Leadership Award and Global Print Excellence Awards
- Advocacy for print education in school curricula
On 22 October—Chopra’s birthday—Printers’ Unity Day (Printers Ekta Diwas) is observed, with participants proudly wearing the slogan badge as a symbol of solidarity. Associations from West Bengal to Ayodhya and beyond continue to present the pins to members as marks of honour.
In an era of rapid technological change—AI, automation, sustainable packaging, and hybrid workflows—“Proud to be a Printer” reminds the industry of its deep roots and bright future. Printing is not disappearing; it is evolving. The craft that once spread the Renaissance and the Reformation now enables personalized packaging, smart labels, secure documents, and beautiful books that digital media cannot fully replace.
An Invitation to the World’s Printers
Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra’s slogan was the first of its kind—an intentional, global call to recognize the nobility of the profession. More than a decade later, its echo still resonates. It has helped printers stand taller, attract talent, and communicate their value to society.
To every press operator, prepress specialist, packaging converter, educator, and entrepreneur who puts ink (or toner, or nano-ink) to substrate: you are part of a lineage that shaped civilization. Wear the words with pride.
Proud to be a printer: The phrase is more than a slogan. It is a statement of identity, a celebration of craft, and an enduring invitation to the next generation: join us. The world still needs what only printers can create.