Interview with Mr. Shankar Elangovan, Proprietor, Shankar & Co.,
Shankar & Co. was established in 1983 and has since become a trailblazer in the printing and packaging industry. With decades of experience, we specialize in manufacturing a wide range of packaging boxes that meet the diverse needs of our clients.
Print3 : Could you tell us more about Shankar & Co?
Shankar Elangovan : Shankar & Co. is a Tirupur-based company specializing in premium packaging and printing solutions. We have built a reputation for quality, innovation, and timely delivery. Our offerings include mono cartons, kraft cartons, UV Printings, photo cards, tags, Insert cards and commercial printing services. Over the years, we’ve grown into a trusted partner for several leading brands in sectors like garment packaging, FMCG, retail, and cosmetics.
Print3 : What are your company’s principles, mission & vision?
SE : Our core principles are rooted in quality, integrity, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
Mission: To deliver high-quality, customized packaging solutions that help our clients enhance their brand value and market presence.
Vision: To become one of India’s most trusted and technologically advanced packaging and print solution providers, while maintaining sustainable practices and a customer-first approach.
“We take pride in our comprehensive in-house finishing processes and systemized dispatch planning, which enable us to deliver exceptional results consistently”
P3 : Can you share the company’s history and milestones in the Well print industry, highlighting any major innovations or achievements?
SE : Shankar & Co. was established with a clear vision to bring design, print, and packaging under one efficient roof. Over the years, we have adopted cutting-edge technologies like UV MetPET printing, Pantone colour management, and custom structural packaging design. One of our biggest achievements is earning long-term partnerships with reputed national and international brands who trust us with their packaging needs.
P3 : What are the primary products and services offered by Shankar & Co.?
SE : We provide comprehensive solutions in the field of packaging and commercial printing. Our core products include mono cartons, kraft cartons, white cartons, designer cartons, tags, photo cards, and luxury branding kits.
We also specialize in advanced printing techniques such as UV, MetPET, and Pantone colour matching. Our end-to-end solutions help clients maintain strong brand presence through top-tier packaging quality.
P3 : Can you elaborate on the features and applications of your mono cartons?
SE : Mono cartons are among our most versatile and in-demand products. We produce them using high-quality boards with options for UV coating, embossing, lamination, and foil stamping. These cartons are widely used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, and consumer goods, offering excellent structural strength, branding clarity, and visual appeal.
P3 : How do your durable kraft cartons differ in terms of material and design from other carton types?
SE: Kraft cartons are made using high-strength recycled kraft paper, offering durability while supporting sustainable packaging goals. Unlike standard cartons, they come with a natural brown aesthetic and can be enhanced with white ink printing, die-cut windows, or textured finishes. These are ideal for brands that emphasize eco-conscious values without compromising on visual identity.
P3 : What are the unique characteristics of your premium white cartons?
SE : Our premium white cartons are crafted from superior quality bleached boards that allow high- definition printing. These cartons can be customized with matte or gloss lamination, spot UV, embossing, and metallic elements to match the branding needs of high-end clientele.
P3 : In what ways do your vibrant designer cartons enhance product presentation?
SE : Designer cartons are not just packaging—they are branding tools. We use innovative layouts, bold colours, custom die-cuts, and premium finishes to create packaging that instantly captures consumer attention. These cartons are especially effective in retail environments where shelf impact plays a vital role in influencing purchasing decisions.
P3 : Can you explain the process and benefits of your precision printing services?
SE : We utilize advanced offset and UV printing machines with full Pantone and CMYK capabilities. Our printing process includes meticulous colour calibration, sharp registration, and value-adding finishes such as soft-touch coating and spot UV. This ensures that every print project meets the client’s exact brand standards while delivering vibrant and lasting visuals.
P3 : What materials and techniques are involved in your tag and photo card production?
SE :Â We use high-GSM art boards and premium textured papers for our tags and photo cards. Based on the design, we apply techniques such as foil stamping, embossing, matte/gloss lamination, and edge trimming. These elements contribute to a more luxurious, tactile brand experience, particularly for clothing, gifts, and premium stationery products.
P3 : What technologies and equipment are utilized in your advanced printing facility?
SE : Our facility is equipped with multi-colour offset presses, UV curing machines, lamination units, MetPET printing setups, automatic die-cutters, and folding-gluing lines. We maintain an integrated workflow that combines design, prepress, printing, and finishing under one roof, allowing us to maintain high consistency, quality, and turnaround times.
P3 : How does your six-colour UV Metpet printing process improve print quality and durability?
SE : This process enables us to print directly on metallic surfaces using UV- cured inks, producing vibrant, reflective finishes. It enhances the premium feel of packaging while offering resistance to smudging, fading, and wear. The six-colour configuration ensures a broader colour gamut and fine detail reproduction, making it ideal for high- end branding.
P3 : Can you discuss your approach to perfect Pantone color matching and its importance in branding?
SE : Pantone colour consistency is essential for brand integrity. We use calibrated monitors, controlled lighting, and advanced ink mixing stations to ensure precise colour reproduction across print runs. This helps our clients maintain a unified brand identity across markets and packaging formats, especially critical for multinational and premium brands.
P3 : What quality control measures are in place to ensure consistency across your printing and packaging products?
SE : We follow a strict multi-layer quality check system. It begins with digital proofing during the prepress stage, followed by on-machine inspections during production, and final checks before packaging. Our QC team uses both automated and manual processes to ensure each product meets our client’s expectations in terms of colour, structure, and finish.
P3 : May we know about your environmental management policies?
SE : Sustainability is a key pillar of our operational values. We use eco- friendly inks, recyclable boards, and actively reduce production waste through efficient planning and reuse models. We also promote kraft and sustainable packaging for brands who prefer a greener image. Internally, we follow energy-saving practices and are consistently upgrading to cleaner machinery and greener supply chain methods.
P3 : Challenges and Competitions you are facing in the market?
SE : The print and packaging industry is evolving rapidly, with increasing demand for faster turnarounds, personalization, and cost efficiency. One major challenge is maintaining consistency in raw material quality and availability. Additionally, competing with lower-cost players while maintaining high quality is an ongoing task. However, our strength lies in our service quality, customer relationships, and our ability to innovate and deliver at scale.
P3 : Your business expansions and business plans?
SE : We are currently expanding our infrastructure to include fully automated post-press systems and digital packaging units to cater to niche markets. Our future roadmap involves scaling our presence in tier-1 and tier-2 cities, launching e-commerce friendly packaging solutions, and exploring exports. Our long-term goal is to be recognized as a pioneer in sustainable and innovative packaging across South India.