If you think Board Books Printing is just about ink on paper, think again. It’s about creativity, innovation, and breaking industry norms. At the Bindwel Book Round Table, Apurv Garg of Brijbasi took us through his journey—one that started with challenges but led to significant success in children’s book printing.
From struggling to find clients to exporting to 112+ countries, Apurv’s journey is proof that pushing creative boundaries in printing isn’t just an option—it’s the way forward. Let’s dive into his story.
🛏️ His Journey: Breaking Barriers in Book Exports
When Apurv first entered the book printing space, children’s book exports from India were unheard of. Publishers hesitated to work with him. “There was nobody exporting children’s books from India. No one.”
✨ How It Started:
- The first major break came when Apurv bagged a 60,000-copy board book order for ALDI.
- He had zero infrastructure, so he collaborated with other printers to get it done.
- Challenges? Plenty. One of the biggest issues was paper—Indian paper made the books half as thick as the original Spanish version.
- The client surprisingly approved the change, marking Apurv’s entry into exports.
Fast-forward to today:
- Brijbasi exports to 112+ countries in 64+ languages, a testament to the growing global demand for board books—something Bindwel actively supports through innovation in bookbinding.
- They ship 80+ containers a month.
- They employ over 1,400 people, including artists, designers, and paper engineers.
What started as a single order turned into a thriving business.
📚 Types of Books: Beyond Traditional Printing
Brijbasi doesn’t just print books—they enhance them. With advancements in bookbinding from companies like Bindwel, these books are becoming more durable and engaging than ever before.
✅ What They Create:
- Board Books: Sturdy, toddler-friendly, and engaging.
- Pop-Up Books: Complex, intricate, and interactive.
- Novelty Books: From bath books to sound books to plush books with matching toys.
- Gamified Books: Blending reading with AR and gaming elements.
- Look-and-Find Books: Books that come with torches or hidden clues to explore stories.
“Post-COVID, books about emotions and feelings became a trend. We created entire series around them,” Apurv explained.
At the latest Frankfurt Book Fair, Brijbasi launched 277 unique new book series, proving that content innovation is key to staying ahead.
🎨 Importance of Creativity in Board Books Printing
“If you don’t go creative, if you don’t go to the next level—you’re done.”
Apurv believes that creativity is the lifeline of book printing.
✨ Why Creativity Matters:
- Old designs don’t sell. Even a new cover isn’t enough to convince buyers.
- Publishers demand completely new formats at every event.
- Readers want interactive books—books that go beyond storytelling.
- Brijbasi has a dummy department that constantly sends physical prototypes to publishers worldwide.
⚡ How Brijbasi Stays Ahead:
- They hire top artists, paper engineers, and designers to invent new book styles.
- Every book is designed to be visually and tactically unique.
- Books are no longer just about words—they engage multiple senses.
Their most recent innovation? A book with a working flashlight for interactive storytelling.
🚀 The Demand for Fresh Content: What Publishers Expect
Apurv’s biggest challenge today? Keeping up with publisher demand.
“At one time, selling a coloring book was a challenge. Now, publishers demand completely new formats at every trade fair.”
✅ Current Market Trends:
- Publishers want innovation. Even small changes like color effects or pop-up mechanisms make a difference.
- Old titles don’t sell. Even if a book sells well today, publishers expect something new tomorrow.
- Speed is key. Brijbasi now prints 200,000+ books per day.
Their success isn’t just about printing—it’s about understanding what today’s publishers and young readers want.
🌟 The Future of Board Books Printing
Apurv Garg’s journey is a blueprint for success in modern publishing. His key takeaways?
✅ Innovation fuels growth. If you’re not innovating, you’re falling behind.
✅ Creativity is survival. Standard books no longer excite readers—interactive elements are the future.
✅ India is a printing powerhouse. Brijbasi has successfully replaced Chinese suppliers in global markets.
As Apurv puts it:
“We started with exports. Now, Indian publishers are seeing the value in what we create. That’s real growth.”
📚 Want to stay updated on the future of book printing? Bindwel continues to bring the latest innovations in bookbinding, ensuring publishers and printers stay ahead.
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