In a quest to give voice to the concerns of the Indian printing industry, the AIFMP supports, participates in and organises a number of regional, national and international events, with the aim of lobbying for the Indian printers’ interests, showcasing the Indian printing industry’s expertise and achievements, and educating the printer about global trends and technologies.

The All India Printers Conference (AIPC)

The All India Printers Conference (AIPC), held every two years by rotation in different parts of the country, is an excellent platform where printers, print suppliers and experts meet and exchange the latest information on the business and technology of printing. Each conference is hosted by a local affiliate and sponsored by AIFMP. These conferences carry relevant themes where eminent experts from India and abroad are invited to address the delegates gathered from all over the country and abroad.

Printing and Allied Machinery Exhibition (PAMEX)

The major national conferences are organised at metropolitan cities once every four years concurrent with the Printing and Allied Machinery Exhibition (PAMEX). In keeping with the aims and objectives of AIFMP, PAMEX is a forum to showcase state-of-the-art printing equipment from India and abroad and to keep Indian printers abreast of changing trends in the industry.

So far, AIFMP has successfully orgainised five PAMEXs. Chennai was the venue for the first PAMEX held in 1979. The Second PAMEX was held in New Delhi at Pragati Maidan in 1983. The third PAMEX was held in 1987 in Mumbai, while the fourth One, sponsored by AIFMP and organized by the West Bengal Master Printers Association ,was held at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata in January 1991. The fifth PAMEX was held in Bangalore in February 1997.

MINI PAMEX

While PAMEX and international conferences continue to be held in metropolitan cities, the affiliate associations host mini PAMEX exhibitions and All India Printers’ Conferences at regular intervals of two years. As it happens, there is an important print event in some part of India almost every year. Such events are popular and well attended. Invariably, the State Chief minister is invited to inaugurate the function.

National Awards For Excellence In Printing (NAEP)

The National Awards for Excellence in Printing (NAEP) were instituted by the AIFMP in 1999 to celebrate the quest for quality that is at the heart of the printing industry. The aim of these awards is to create awareness about their capabilities.

Publication

Printing Times, the official monthly journal of the AIFMP, is an institution in its own right. As the flagship publication, it showcases the activities and achievements of the Federation in India and abroad, lobbies for and promotes Indian printers’ interests and concerns, aquaints them with trends and changing technologies in the global printing industry, and is a forum for debate and discussion on issues closest to the Indian printer’s heart. It is a bi-monthly and in its 30th year of its publication. It is now internationally recognized as a professional journal of printing.

World Print Congresses (WPC)

The AIFMP is a proactive participant in these Congresses and is one of the six member of the WPS Steering Committee. India had the honour of hosting the Fifth WPC held at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi, from February 28 to March 4, 1993. The event was organized by AIFMP and inaugurated by the then Vice President of India, Mr. K.R. Narayanan. It was attended by 600 participants from 17 countries; the largest delegation was of 80 people from Japan. The theme of the congress was ‘Print Communication: A Global Vision’.

South Asia Print Congress (SAPC)

South Asia Print Congress (SACP) is a regional initiative to create a forum with a common agenda for the growth of the printing industry, through mutual cooperation among SAARC countries and to create a shared vision of the future. The shared dream behind the SAPC is not only to evolve strategies for the SAARC countries to cope with the challenges of globalisation and today’s fast-changing communication technology scenario. The AIFMP has been at the forefront of initiating this significant cooperation among South Asian printers.

International Agreements

To facilitate greater regional and global cooperation allied bodies, AIFMP has signed a number of agreements with various association from different countries.

A protocol of intention was signed between AIFMP and the Sri Lanka Association of Printers (SLAP) which focusses on cooperation in the areas of the latest technologies in graphic arts associations; and assistance in the exchange of students and specialists for research, lectures and execution of specific projects in each other’s countries.

AIFMP also signed an agreement with NPES (USA) in Mumbai in 1995, to promote and facilitate mutually beneficial trade relations between the two organizations.

A Cooperation Agreement between AIFMP and the Association of ltalian Manufacturers of Machinery for Graphics (ACIMGA) was signed in 1996 in New Delhi to promote a mutually beneficial trade relationship between the two organizations and among their respective member companies through trade shows, education and training, and marketing.