From the Road: Labelexpo and Graph Expo Bring Solutions to North America

There’s no question that drupa 2016 set the stage for the industry’s future and the technology that will impact package printing and converting for years to come. The expanding impact of digital printing and finishing — combined with exciting new directions for conventional solutions — made it clear that packaging will continue to be one of, if not the strongest growth areas in the printing industry.

But, as has been widely reported since the show, drupa does not draw a large audience from North America to the event in Düsseldorf, Germany. With so many North American printers and converters missing out on drupa, September presented two opportunities for a domestic audience to catch a glimpse of the technology that will be taking the industry forward.

First up on the fall tradeshow circuit was Labelexpo Americas, which returned to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. What was particularly striking about Labelexpo this year, was that not only did the show demonstrate two drastically different directions that digital printing is heading in, but it was also clear that flexographic printing is rising to the challenge in the face of the increased demand for short run packaging and the desire for faster changeovers.

On the digital front, it was interesting to see how the technology is simultaneously becoming more advanced, while becoming more accessible to all converters. Some of the most eye-catching products on display in Rosemont were hybrid solutions, many of which came together through partnerships that were established between traditionally flexographic suppliers and traditionally digital suppliers.

Hybrid solutions developed through partnerships between Durst and Omet, and Fujifilm and Edale showcased each company’s distinct areas of expertise. Mark Andy also featured its hybrid solution that it developed without partnering with an inkjet press manufacturer.

On the other end of the spectrum, Labelexpo demonstrated that entry-level digital solutions are garnering a great deal of attention. Several suppliers, including Mark Andy, Durst, Epson and Allen Datagraph, featured less expensive digital press models that were still able to produce some impressive output.

The Mark Andy Digital One made its debut, showcasing its capabilities as a digital press with an in-line converting station at a price point of approximately $265,000. The Durst Tau 330E is a more budget-friendly version of the Durst Tau 330, which can be acquired and operated at a lower price due to its reduced color spectrum and its high-pigmented inks.

Epson’s SurePress solutions offered production label printing at a low price point, but its ColorWorks table-top series also turned some heads due to its ability to print short runs at a high print quality.

On the flexographic side, it was made clear at Labelexpo that this conventional technology is here to stay. Not that flexography was under any real threat, as digital makes up less than 10% of label output, but the new presses shown in Rosemont were impressive in their ability to handle increasing short-run work with faster changeovers.

Nilpeter’s FA-4* and FA-6* demonstrated their very high levels of automation, driven by servo motors and digital control. These presses also feature print decks that are constructed as one unit, allowing the operator to prepare the next job offline and switch out print decks one for one. Bobst’s presses showcased the “Digital Flexo Process,” which allows operators to changeover cylinders directly on the press, then engage a new job immediately as the preceding job is completed. Mark Andy’s Performance Series P7 was also on display, featuring its high level of automation and servo-driven technology.

A mere week after Labelexpo, Graph Expo opened its doors for four days dedicated to all sectors of the printing industry. Despite the event’s new location in Orlando, Fla., and its skew toward the commercial printing segment, there was still plenty of packaging equipment to discuss. One of Graph Expo’s most anticipated press conferences was a joint presentation from KBA and Xerox that highlighted the new KBA VariJET 106 Powered by Xerox.

Much like the hybrid inkjet/flexo presses that are revolutionizing the label segment, the VariJET 106 is a hybrid inkjet/offset press for the folding carton market.

Xerox also had some of its own packaging equipment on display. The new iGen 5 displayed its digital folding carton capabilities, building on the success previous iGen models have had in this category. Another major Xerox attraction was the Must See ‘Ems winning Direct to Object inkjet press, which can print directly onto multiple substrates, removing the need for a label.

Though the press was not on the show floor, EFI provided an update on its Nozomi C18000, a single-pass, direct-to-board, digital corrugated press that was unveiled at drupa. During EFI’s Graph Expo press conference, CEO Guy Gecht discussed how digital printing and automation in corrugated will provide huge opportunities in print as personalization continues to gain steam as e-commerce grows.

Konica Minolta and MGI also had a large presence at Graph Expo, announcing their expanding partnership. Konica Minolta featured its bizhub PRESS C71cf label press and MGI demonstrated several of its digital embellishment solutions that bring the advantages of digital technology to finishing.

While drupa certainly provides the focal point for the industry every four years, Labelexpo and Graph Expo provided excellent snapshots of the groundwork that was laid out in Düsseldorf. Strong attendance at both made it clear that the North American market is eager to leverage this latest technology toward a successful future.