Packaging Takes Center Stage at drupa

Packaging does so much more than protect the product inside it, says Sabine Geldermann, director of drupa. It is an essential means of communication. Everything from required information printed on health care packaging to the rise of smart packaging, the role that printers and converters play in the packaging process cannot be overlooked.

Often considered the premier industry event for printers, drupa 2016 will reflect the rise of packaging and how it has evolved into one of the strongest growth areas in the printing industry.

“I would predict that print service providers are going to step into this market and develop new business models specially dedicated and designed for the package printing sector,” Geldermann said in an email to packagePRINTING. “Each and every entrepreneur has to study and identify the latest trends that will help with new businesses. That’s one of the reasons why drupa 2016 is so important for the printing industry. On one hand, it’s the opportunity to see the latest technologies on display — but it is vital on the other hand to figure out how these technologies and equipment will fit into future business models and identifying new markets.”

Geldermann explains that as the show has come together over the last four years, the drupa team has monitored global packaging statistics and trends, citing a Smithers Pira report that states the global packaging market will grow to $985 billion by 2018.

She also notes that brand owners are increasing their competitive drive, often seeking a leg up on the competition by investing in packaging that sets them apart.

“Packaging is now a key method used to build and expand customer loyalty,” says Geldermann. “Shelf impact at point of purchase means that the packaging is now a basic sales and marketing tool.”

Among an increase of package printing vendors in attendance, this year’s drupa will also feature the debut of the “Touchpoint Packaging” special show. Geldermann explains that Touchpoint Packaging will be geared toward those already in the packaging space, drupa attendees seeking to enter the packaging market and brand owners.

She says that approximately 30 exhibitors will interact with visitors, sharing their thoughts on the future of packaging through workshops, lectures and presentations.

“The entire spectrum of packaging will be addressed, including technical and functional requirements, cultural and ethical demands, and efficiency with all of the latest substrates and technologies deployed,” Geldermann says.

Clearly, packaging is an exciting growth market in the printing industry. While there have been rumblings for a while that packaging is slated for a steady rise, it appears that drupa 2016 will be a true launching pad for packaging’s future. Though there are too many packaging solutions to highlight here, we’ve selected a few products to point out that will be worth keeping an eye on in Düsseldorf.

DataLase: DataLase will be showcasing its Variprint monochrome technology, which previously had only been available for product coding and marking in white, clear and black. However, new developments in Variprint technology now allow for real-time messaging and variable data on packages in additional monochrome colors, including blue, green and red.

DataLase’s laser reactive pigments can be incorporated into a coating or conventionally printed onto packaging. When the pigments are exposed to a low-power CO₂ or NIR diode array laser, a color change is created, resulting in a high-definition digital print. The system allows for high-speed, in-line customized printing.

Gallus: This flexo stalwart made major headlines last fall, when it unveiled a digital label printing and converting solution, featuring in-line converting capabilities, near-offset quality and competitive speed.

The Gallus Labelfire 340

The press, which was originally introduced as the Gallus DCS 340, has since been rebranded as the
Gallus Labelfire 340. The press was developed through a partnership between Gallus and Heidelberg, and features Fuji Samba inkjet printheads from Fujifilm, which print at
1,200 dpi.

The Labelfire 340’s in-line converting capabilities include varnish, lamination, cold foil and diecutting.

Goss International: Goss International has announced it will be highlighting several products, including the Sunday Vpak line of presses. The Vpak presses are ideal for high-quality short runs.

The Sunday Vpak 500 is a variable-sleeve web offset press that can be used for folding cartons, labels and flexible packaging. Meanwhile, the Sunday Vpak 3000 is available in web widths up to 75˝ and can be used for flexible packaging and folding cartons.

Harper Corp.: Harper Corp. will be showcasing its High Imaging Volume Engravings (HIVE) line of engravings, which provide high levels of quality and predictability to print. Harper will also be featuring its QD ink proofing and flatbed printing system, one of the leading color matching proofers among ink manufacturers.

In addition, Harper’s HEX division will be displaying a line of plate and bridge (adapters) sleeves designed to decrease downtime and minimize makeready.

Heidelberg: The Heidelberg stand will be a busy place at drupa 2016, featuring new digital printing options for the packaging market and several new converting products the company partnered on with Masterwork Machinery.

The ProMatrix 106 CS has been brought to market through a partnership between Masterwork and Heidelberg.

The new Heidelberg Primefire 106 is a B1-format inkjet press that came together through a partnership between Heidelberg and Fujifilm. The press features Samba MEMS printhead technology from Fujifilm and a seven-color ink range of CMYK plus orange, green and violet.

Heidelberg will also feature the Easymatrix and ProMatrix diecutters, which Heidelberg is distributing through a partnership with Masterwork. The Easymatrix offers a cost-effective option and features an output of 7,700 sph. The ProMatrix, meanwhile is a more advanced system, offering diecutting and embossing with outputs of 8,000 sph.

HP: HP made some major announcements in the digital label and package printing arena and will be demonstrating the new HP Indigo 8000 and upgraded HP Indigo 20000 and HP Indigo 30000 at drupa.

The HP Indigo 8000 digital narrow web press doubles the speeds of the HP Indigo WS6800, reaching 262 fpm. It is also supportive of a new white ink that reaches an opacity level of 81%.

The HP Indigo 8000

HP has also announced the development of Pack Ready Lamination, a new technology that allows for digitally printed flexible pouches to move directly into lamination and pouch finishing. The technology removes cure time and can be implemented into pouches in need of demanding environments, including microwaves and retort.

Kurz: This finishing and enhancement specialist will be showcasing the “Kurz Easy” initiative. The initiative includes the Foil Connect software program, which calculates the most efficient foil usage, and a new series of hot stamping foils featuring a wider processing window. Kurz will also be displaying a new generation of cold foils.

New applications for Kurz’s Digital Metal process will also be featured at drupa, along with new design innovations for hot and cold foil stamping. Kurz will be showcasing several color advancements for the foil sector, including the White series, the Luxor MTS Polarlight design foil, the DuoColor single image design and the MultiColor holographic design.

Landa: Landa will be unveiling its latest in Nanographic printing technology for the packaging market. The Landa S10 is a B1 digital press, capable of running at 13,000 B1 sph. It is available with four to seven colors and prints at 1,200 dpi resolution.

The Landa W10

The Landa W10 for flexible packaging applications is a 41˝-wide option that prints up to eight colors at 656 fpm.  It can run plastic film, paper, carton board and aluminum foil substrates.

Landa will also be debuting its Nano-Metallography technology, which provides zero-waste metallization and a more cost-effective alternative to foil. It is available for all conventional printing technologies, including narrow-web flexo, offset, screen and gravure printing.

Masterwork: Masterwork Machinery will be showcasing its new Duopress 106FCSB, which provides foil stamping, embossing, diecutting, stripping, blank separation and product collection in one pass. With improved foil control systems, the Duopress 106FCSB ensures accurate foil feeding and foil saving benefits. Finished products are neatly and conveniently stacked in a pile.

Masterwork will also feature the Diana Eye 55 fully automatic sheet inspection system. The Diana Eye 55 operates at up to 200 to 300 m/min. with a maximum sheet size of 550x500mm and a stock range of 650g/sq. m. cardboard.

Masterwork’s Diana Smart 55/115 folding carton gluing machines will also be on display. These machines provide short setup times, 100% in-line inspection of the entire print image among other features. It runs at a maximum speed of 450m/min. and can be used for several applications.

The Wi-Fife from Maxcess

Maxcess: Maxcess International will be showcasing its new Wi-Fife wireless interface, which can monitor and control the FIFE-500 web guide from any Wi-Fi enabled tablet or smartphone. By connecting to a network of motor control units and operator interfaces, the Wi-Fife can connect up to 30 devices on a single network and can monitor and control any one unit. All of the networked guides can then be accessed from anywhere on the factory floor.

Xeikon: Xeikon will also be highlighting its latest in digital technology for the packaging market. The Xeikon CX3 will be showcasing its ability to produce in-line finishing for labels and will demonstrate its speeds of 98 fpm, making it a highly-productive five-color digital label press.

The Xeikon Flatbed Diecut Unit

The five-color Xeikon 3500, a digital press for folding cartons, will showcase its ability to achieve more than 72% of Pantone colors. The 3500 features a variable width of 9.8˝ to 20.3˝. Xeikon will also highlight its Web Varnishing Module for spot and flood coating with UV and aqueous varnishes.

Xeikon’s Flatbed Diecut Unit (FDU) will also be on display, showcasing its near-line digital diecutting capabilities for folding cartons. Fusion Technology will also be highlighted, which allows printers to digitally print and embellish labels in one pass.