Abbe installs first single pass digital printer

Melbourne packaging company, Abbe Corrugated has installed a new single pass digital printer, which it claims is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Named Impression, the printer was built by Spanish manufacturer Barberan and according to Abbe managing director Anthony O’Sullivan, it will allow the company to expand into new markets.

“Impression isn’t just a step forward, it’s a leap forward,” he says. “There isn’t another printer in the world that matches Impression for size, quality and speed in this sector.”

Abbe specialises in corrugated cardboard packaging, O’Sullivan says the company began to explore digital technology after noticing a trend in supermarkets opting for more shelf-ready packaging.

After embarking on two world tours to source a single pass digital printer, Abbe commissioned Barberan to build the machine, which was installed in April. 

O’Sullivan says, “Multi-pass machines have been around for quite a while and we were looking for a competitive edge. It was new technology and at the time of purchase, Impression was the fourth single pass machine in the world and definitely the first in the Southern Hemisphere.” 

Unlike offset, digital machines do not require plates or set up and art files are downloaded directly to the printer, O’Sullivan says this provides its retail customers with flexibility and speed to market.

“It gives our customers the opportunity to customise for their product for particular regions and promotions at an affordable price and digital printing is very affordable for shorter runs,” he says.

“The printer is not comparable in terms of speed to multi-pass. With multi-pass you are talking hundreds of prints per hour, with single pass it is thousands per hour.” 

The printer is now fully operational and is currently servicing Abbe’s customers in Melbourne and in Sydney through its sister company, Austcor Packaging.

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