Which cloth banners are to be used? confused Flex printers ask Jagan govt
Printers said that they need to see how the existing machines will work on cloth banners. So far, many of the flex banner makers haven't conducted any trials.
By Sri Lakshmi Muttevi Published on 3 Nov 2022 6:30 AM GMT
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh government has decided to replace flex banners with cloth banners to make the state plastic free from January 26, 2023. According to the new GO, the use of cloth banners can start from January 26, 2023. Andhra Pradesh Flex Printing Association is presently conducting the trials.
"We are using some materials but we found the prints are going a little dull on cloth banners. However, more trials are needed for a perfect output. The move is beneficial for us. However it is costly for the customers", said John Babu of the Andhra Pradesh Flex Printing Association in Vijayawada. While a plastic flex banner costs Rs 6 for the customer, the cloth banner costs Rs 25 given the expensive raw material.
No guidelines:
According to the Andhra Pradesh Flex Printing Association, the state government has not given any guidelines so far. "We should be informed about which cloth we should use. Before the new GO, we brought cloth material from other states for trials. However, Pollution Control Board conducted raids and said we should not use the cloth for trials. So it will be better if the government specifically gives guidelines on the selection of material," said John Babu.
Printers said that they need to see how the existing machines will work on cloth banners. So far, many of the flex banner makers haven't conducted any trials. But they are confused about the use of machinery.
Hope for Artists:
Before the advent of digital flex banners, some artists were dealing with cloth banners. Painters used to prepare banners for films and election meetings. All that changed with the advent of digital flex banners.
"There are not many people who are dealing in cloth banners. It has been almost 10 years. The cloth banners are the only hope. But it will be a costly affair. We charge Rs 50-60 for painting on the banner, which many wouldn't prefer. Rather they will go for cloth banners made on machines", said Ramu, an artist who paints flex banners in Guntur.
