Two Directions For Digital on Display at Labelexpo

By Cory Francer

The label market represents the packaging segment with the largest integration of digital printing, so the abundance of digital solutions shown at Labelexpo Americas 2016 should come as no big surprise. But, as digital continues to rise in the label world, the directions where the technology is moving proved to be the biggest takeaways from this year’s show.

Digital label presses have existed for decades and continue to improve. But the presses on the show floor that seemed to garner the most attention were hybrid solutions, combining digital printing with in-line flexographic and converting stations. While these presses answer the converter’s need for high-speed, production-level, end-to-end solutions, not all converters are seeking to make such a substantial technological leap. Multiple suppliers featured entry-level digital equipment on display for the first time, providing converters with an opportunity to get their feet wet with digital at a more cost-friendly price point.

Earlier this year, we recognized that one of the biggest takeaways from drupa was the growing trend of digital inkjet press suppliers partnering with conventional press manufacturers to develop end-to-end solutions. Many of the big drupa announcements surrounded inkjet solutions for folding carton production, but it was evident at Labelexpo that inkjet and flexo suppliers are continuing this trend in the label segment.

Among the solutions on the show floor was the Graphium line from Fujifilm, which was brought to market through a partnership with Edale, a U.K.-based flexographic press manufacturer. While many of the hybrid solutions on display at Labelexpo were making their North American debuts, the Graphium line has already entered the marketplace with four installations in the United States.

Click Below for Audio of Brent Moncrief, VP of marketing and brand management, Fujifilm, discussing the Graphium and benefits of hybrid printing

The Mark Andy Digital Series was on display throughout the show.

Mark Andy was also among the first suppliers to develop a hybrid solution and had its Digital Series press on display throughout the show. Although the press was first demonstrated at Labelexpo Americas 2014, it remained among the main attractions in the Mark Andy booth. The major difference between the Digital Series and the other hybrid presses on display is that Mark Andy developed its own digital engine for this press, while most other hybrid systems were developed through partnerships. During Mark Andy's press conference, President and CEO Kevin Wilken explained that this approach provides converters the benefit of having a single supplier that understands all aspects of the product.

Durst demonstrated its entry into the hybrid world, debuting its Tau 330 in combination with flexo and finishing stations from Omet. The interesting difference between the Durst and Omet hybrid is that it isn’t being marketed as a single product. While the press will be sold and serviced by Durst, it is being presented as a Durst Tau 330 press that can be customized to the converter’s needs by incorporating various near-line finishing stations provided by Omet.

The partnership with Durst is not the first time Omet has been involved in the development of a hybrid press, however. The Omet XFlex X6 JetPlus is another hybrid option that incorporates inkjet capabilities from Domino with Omet flexographic printing.

While these hybrid solutions present a way for converters to enter the digital world at a high-production level, Labelexpo also featured several solutions for those converters seeking to adopt digital at a lower price point.

Throughout the show, there were substantial crowds around the Mark Andy Digital One, which combines entry-level digital printing with in-line converting features. Priced at approximately $265,000, the Digital One features four-color 1,200x1,200 dpi printing with a single flexo station, which can provide finishing or converting capabilities.

The Mark Andy Digital One provides a hybrid system at an entry-level price.

Durst was another supplier with a booth that featured both a hybrid solution and an entry-level product. The newly-launched Durst Tau 330E offers many of the same features as the Tau 330, which is Durst’s flagship inkjet label press. However, the Tau 330E is limited to four- or five-color configurations, whereas the Tau 330 is available with expanded gamut colors including orange and violet.

Emily Kroll, business director of label and specialty packaging systems, explained during Durst’s Labelexpo press conference that one of the goals in developing the Tau 330E was to ensure it featured low running costs in addition to a low acquisition cost. An essential aspect of this, she said, was developing a new set of high-pigmented inks that requires approximately 25% less laydown than traditional inks.

Click below for audio of Emily Kroll reviewing the Durst Tau 330E's cost-friendly attributes:

Epson’s booth also featured several products that allow label converters to enter the digital world at a lower price point, including the SurePress and ColorWorks line of label printers. The SurePress line features the L-4033 and the newly-released L-6034, while the ColorWorks line provides tabletop solutions that provide an attractive short-run option.

The Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C71cf is designed for small to medium converters, commercial printers and in-plants seeking a digital label option.

Konica Minolta featured its bizhub PRESS C71cf digital label press, which the company touts as a “low-risk first entry into digital label production.” Graphtec also unveiled its latest solution, the LabelRobo LCX1000 series.

Labelexpo Americas 2016 demonstrated just how digital printing has become a relevant technology that’s accessible in some form or another to just about any label converter. For those seeking a production-level press equipped with in-line converting, the amount of suppliers that have released offerings in the past year is staggering. But now, with the rise of entry-level solutions, digital printing is well within the grasp of smaller converters seeking the benefits that this technology can provide.