Digital Labels Technology Buyer’s Guide

Domino N610i UV

The Domino N610i UV digital colour label press has created great interest in both North America and Europe since it was released, and according to Domino’s Australasian agent, Trimatt Systems, all bases are covered for the model’s launch into the local market later in the year.

For the full rollout in Asia Pacific, Trimatt Systems sent two of its technicians to the UK to undertake training on the new technology. “We had absolutely no desire to start selling a press without the necessary training. Much of the current installed Domino K600i technology and architecture is the same as used in the N610i digital colour label press. Our plan is to make sure we are well prepared and from day one, to support the businesses. We will be able to install presses, and customers will know they have the backing right here in Australia,” said Trimatt’s Matt Johnson.

The Domino N610i combines the productivity normally associated with flexo, married to the flexibility offered by rapid job change digital technology. “It offers an industry standard 333mm print width, four, five, six or seven colours, including opaque screen-like white; 600dpi ‘native’ print resolution, up to four greyscales, and operates up to 75 metres/min. Domino is the only company which has designed and manufactured a press offering these dimensions and features. When you look at the feedback from the testimonial videos from the European and North American customers using this product, it looks like a real step change over other technologies available. It has convinced us to invest in training and support.

“The N610i uses a range of vibrant UV-curable inks, designed for a range of standard self-adhesive label stocks including coated paper, polyethylene and polypropylene, without the need to prime. The N610i is finding enthusiastic markets in the industrial, security, health and safety, automotive, chemicals, personal care, home and pharma label areas,” he said.

Trimatt plans to place systems into the local market this year as part of its introduction strategy. “We are actively quoting and profiling customers’ material, and believe our installations will take place in the coming period. The feedback has been fantastic, and I believe it will be disruptive technology,” said Matt Johnson.

The new model is in the same price range as liquid and dry toner technologies, but in the end it comes down to what the customer’s business model was. “For the same investment cost and similar if not lower operating costs, we expect to be able to print typically three times more labels than other digital press offerings. The higher productivity of the N610i means it is better suited to both short and longer runs and in some cases, European customers have totally replaced their existing flexo capability with one Domino N610i. When you look at where digital is today, it is focused on short runs, often below 1,000m run lengths. What Domino has seen, especially in Europe, is runs up to 3,000m being common. UV-curable inks are similar to those in flexo, so the images generated are well understood by brand managers.

“Domino can print on a range of materials where other technologies can’t. So we’ll be out there identifying those businesses that fit that profile and show them the benefits in speed and image quality.”

EFI Jetrion 4950lx

The EFI Jetrion 4950lx LED printer represents a new level of digital label production systems for EFI with improved resolution, higher speeds and advanced LED curing.

Its higher image quality, finer text and wider colour gamut expand production capabilities to take on more primary label applications as well as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical labels. The 4950lx technology also allows printing on heat-sensitive and specialty substrates, while at the same time delivering the lowest cost per label.

The Jetrion 4950lx is built on EFI’s UV inkjet and LED curing technology, and is powered by the EFI Fiery XF digital front end. This allows the creation of high-resolution, durable labels with a simplified UL compliance certification. The Jetrion 4950lx is an entire system delivered by one partner of hardware, software and consumables. Its modular sign makes it completely flexible for the needs of a growing business by delivering increased capabilities in job types and substrates.

Gone are plates, makeready labour and substrate waste along with all of the steps associated with offline converters. Instead, digital printing and finishing are now in a single system, enabling printers to go from print file directly to a finished roll without interruption. The Jetrion 4950lx LED digital label production system applies the power and flexibility of digital across the entire label production process, with higher image quality, higher speed and LED curing.

The Jetrion 4950lx improves productivity and profitability by digitally printing and finishing in a single process pass on demand. It offers 720 X 720dpi resolution, crisp two-point text, increased Pantone matching, ink flexibility and substrate versatility. It helps to eliminate overproduction and lead time to produce jobs, reduces unnecessary transportation and the need to move substrate rolls or finished labels.

It can also decrease inventory, lower costs, and eliminate plates, dies, changeovers, makeready labour and substrate waste for both printing and finishing.

Epson SurePress L-4033AW

The Epson SurePress L-4033AW digital label press incorporates Epson’s MicroPiezo inkjet print head and uses industrial grade Epson SurePress AQ ink with additional white.

It is designed for converters who wish to produce general purpose and specialised labels in short and ultra-short print runs on a mix of paper and film stocks. It produces output on coated and uncoated substrates with a high colour gamut, high colour accuracy and print resolution. Jobs are quick to set up and easy to complete with the absolute minimum in consumption, wastage and labour.

Machines are compact, easy to install, cost effective to run, and can be managed by a single operator. Output is compatible with a wide range of industry standard finishing equipment for low set-up costs. They can be operated with a choice of RIP software and ordered with an optional X-Rite spectrophotometer for work with custom media.

Features of the Surepress L-4033AW include 2,880 x 1,440dpi maximum resolution and VSDT, a six-colour pigment aqueous ink set, and the ability to print in adjustable frames up to 914.4mm in length on a huge variety of off-the-shelf substrates up to 320 micron thick and 330.2mm wide. The press has been designed to print on paper and film stock, and there is an option for output on clear stock with a clear liner.

It normally ships with an optional rewinder producing output rolls that can be fed directly into a range of industry standard finishing equipment. With its ultra-short-run print capabilities it can be used to produce the occasional direct proof.

Epson's L-4033AW comes will all the tools needed to enter the world of digital label printing and make it easy and profitable.

Gallus Labelfire 340

Gallus Labelfire 340 is the first modular, digital converting system from Heidelberg and Gallus – an inkjet printing module integrated into a Gallus machine platform, which combines the latest digital printing technology with the benefits of conventional printing and further processing technology.

This new machine system – developed between Heidelberg/Gallus and Fujifilm, a leader in inkjet technology – sets new standards in label printing in quality, short-run production efficiency and scope for customization. A native resolution of 1,200dpi delivers print quality unmatched in UV inkjet printing today with a maximum speed of 50m/min, regardless of the size of the label or how many of the eight colours are in use.

The unique, shaped inkjet print head also makes it possible to achieve seamless head stitching, resulting in a smooth print across the entire web. In addition, the Gallus Labelfire 340 has conventional converting modules taken from the Gallus ECS 340, which is tried and tested. The Gallus Labelfire 340’s user friendly HMI, which controls both conventional and digital modules, ensures that label printers manage and control their entire machine system with the same operating philosophy.

By combining the strengths of digital printing with an inline finishing process that has been specially optimised for digital printing, the Gallus Labelfire gives users the chance to varnish, embellish and further process labels inline, from the roll to the finished die-cut label in a single production operation. The whole system is integrated into Heidelberg’s print media workflow Prinect.

HP Indigo WS6800

According to Mark Daws, general manager, A/NZ, of the Currie Group’s labelling and packaging division, pressure-sensitive labels are still the dominant driver in digital print, compared to flexible packaging and folding cartons. “In many cases it’s the brands and customers demanding it. They all have a need to go to market in the fastest time possible, whilst enjoying the flexibility of an agile supply chain to help manage their products.”

All market verticals are driving the need for digital, from high-value, short-run wine labels to FMCG, pharmaceutical and more. “It’s now that flexible packaging and carton converters can see the value it brings to their own customers that we are beginning to see the shift into these verticals.”

For printers seeking to enter the digitally printed labels market, Daws has the following advice. “It’s important that they consider their options carefully. The A/NZ label industry is extremely quality driven, and the small size of the market means that, for the most part, converters are addressing multiple verticals (FMCG, healthcare, wine, and so on), so they do need to consider printing technology that can address all of these markets – from a quality perspective, substrate compatibility and similar. The majority of converters do not have the luxury of addressing a single application, and therefore they are forced to be all things to their customers.”

Having evolved from the earlier WS6000 press, the current platform offers the flexibility to run media from 12 micron to 450 micron, allowing printers to branch into new verticals such as shrink sleeves, IML, flexible packaging and cartons, in addition to pressure-sensitive.

With an inline priming module (ILP), any off-the-shelf material can be used on the press. The latest features include a fully automated colour engine which removes the need for operator intervention by continually colour-adjusting on-the-fly.

Media and custom colours can now be accurately fingerprinted using 3D colour calibration to achieve colour reproduction, integrity and repeatability throughout the press lifecycle. Indigo’s new ElectroInk offerings include lightfast inks, high-opacity premium white, high-slip white ink for shrink sleeves, invisible red which, alongside the 97% of Pantone colour reproduction the press can achieve, provide a solution to all application needs.

“Whether it’s running offline, inline or hybrid options, with the AB Graphics range of Digicon digital converting lines, or alongside specialty finishing lines from Karlville for shrink sleeves and lamination, or Schobertechnologies’ RSM Varicut converting for IML applications, Currie Group provides a full range of end-to-end workflow to suit any type of application need,” he said.

Konica Minolta C71CF

With heavy attention on inkjet technologies at drupa, in which Konica Minolta had a major part to play, there was also a great deal of attention on the packaging and label sector of the print industry, for which Konica Minolta’s C71CF roll to roll label press was on show.

While there is an overabundance of options at the desktop level of digital label printers with various features, there are a handful of digital label presses at the very high end. However, in the middle band where a blend of speed, features, ease of use and price positioning is imperative, the Konica Minolta C71CF is well positioned to fill this void.

The C71CF prints at speeds up to 18.9 metres per minute. It has the ability to deliver industry standard benchmark quality through 1,200 x 1,200 x 8 bit resolution in CMYK. Fine lines, small characters and subtle gradients are no issue for the C71CF.

Utilising a 330mm wide web allows the C71CF to conform to a large percentage of finishing and converting processes post printing. Future developments will see the C71CF released with narrower web alternatives as a result of early customer feedback. With continuous imaging up to 1,200mm, the C71CF can begin to offer label solutions across a wide range of applications.

Konica Minolta is also exploring various options to connect inline converting and finishing solutions which will see the C71CF develop into a fully fledged label press that can flood coat, spot UV, laminate, die cut, slit and dual rewind finished labels without operator intervention.

The C71CF is in its final stages of launch process and once released, will certainly make an impact on the label converters of Australia because of its unique positioning.

Mark Andy Digital Series

With a proven history of inline flexography, web handling and converting solutions, Mark Andy has created a hybrid digital inkjet module that integrates with virtually any inline option. With a single set-up, it is possible to use any combination of print or converting processes, and each press is highly configurable to each converter’s needs.

The Digital Series offers a number of inline options like no other press platform available, all end-to-end, roll-to-roll. Based on the proven Performance Series platform, the unique hybrid system incorporates full-colour, high-speed inkjet technology with traditional flexographic printing, rotary screen, hot or cold foil stamping, die cutting, lamination, coating and more.

Print twice the work in half the time on half the equipment, with fewer staff and lower overheads. The Mark Andy Digital Series platform prints and converts at true production speeds, resulting in a complete work centre that can accommodate short run demand, as well as larger sized jobs most economically.

The Mark Andy Digital platform can offer the label printer:

• the ability to generate more revenue from a single press

• inline productivity, single pass workflow

• speeds exceeding 250fpm (76mpm)

• high resolution six-colour process UV inkjet printing — CMYKOV + W

• hybrid flexo stations for top coating, metallics, cold foil and more

• simple user-friendly design

• lower total cost of operation.

The Mark Andy Digital series is already establishing a user base in the northern hemisphere, and will be available in Australia and New Zealand later in 2016. It will be supported by long-time Mark Andy distributor, Aldus Engineering.

Omet XFlex

XFlex X6 JetPlus digital inkjet label and packaging press is ideal for printing small runs of labels handling a great variability of materials and designs, or coping with just-in-time deliveries. This is possible thanks to the considerable operating speed (50 to 60 meters per minute for high quality printing) and the ability of this process to greatly reduce costs. On the same press line, you find UV flexo groups, for the printing of pantones and solids, and finishing like cold and hot foil, screen printing for special effects, UV lamination, die-cutting and embossing.

The rapidity of start-ups with minimum waste involved, and the fast changeovers, even in presence of rather different print jobs, confirm the efficiency of the hybrid flexo / digital label press. Through JetPlus, jobs that normally would not be convenient if printed on a much higher productive machine or on equipment with by far complex configurations, become possible with the guarantee of the highest quality. XFlex X6 JetPlus digital label press could be used to print just flexo or overprint in digital and is, in fact, two machines in one.

Screen Truepress JET L350UV

Screen’s inkjet label press, the Truepress Jet L350UV, has been a hit worldwide since its release at PacPrint 2013. Over 50 presses have been shipped with one UK label printer, Springfield Solutions, ordering its third L350 at drupa. Sold through Jet Technologies here in Australia, the first installation is at a leading Sydney label printer.

The L350UV is a high-productivity narrow web press with a linear speed of 50 metres per minute. However, its productivity is amplified over flexo by the ability to stream different jobs one after the other without interruption for plate changes and set-up.

The 600 x 600dpi quality, particularly for fine text and feint security patterns, has been praised by all users with Mher Mehraybayan of Quadriga, a USA user, comparing it with gravure and above flexo. Four levels of greyscale account for smooth tones and gradations, and a wide range of non-pretreated normal label stock can be printed.

One unique feature of the L350UV is the ability to accept varying web widths of label stock from 100mm up to 350mm — thereby eliminating much wastage when the full width is not required. The inks are wide-gamut CMYK plus white.

Users are also impressed with the way the L350UV achieved registration, much in the same way as a conventional flexo press but via an intuitive touch-screen.

Screen claims that the build of the machine is such that MTBF (mean time between failure) is very extensive, aided by its TRUST preventative service program. This equates to an industry leading uptime, again increasing overall productivity. While most printers are running the L350 as a roll-to-roll device and finishing offline, inline converting is possible with the Screen JetConverter which can add die-cutting, matrix stripping, coating, foiling and other modular embellishments to the finished labels.

Investment cost depends on the configuration but “sub-$1 million” in Australian dollars is cited by Screen, who also make note that the L350UV is sold without a click-charge per impression. Customers can be in complete control of their manufacturing costs by just paying for ink, media, parts and service.

Xeikon CX3

Xeikon’s CX3 digital colour press, originally known as the Cheetah, is 60% faster than any of its toner-based label and packaging stablemates Xeikon 3000 presses, which range in speed from 9.6 metres per minute to 19.2 metres per minute, and offer widths of 330mm and 516mm.

The new digital press is dedicated to self-adhesive and pressure sensitive label production, and can produce high quality labels at 30 metres per minute. Xeikon says this running speed makes it the fastest five-colour digital toner label press in the world.

The Xeikon CX3 is designed to give label printers and converters greater flexibility to deal with shorter turnaround times. This increase in speed represents a huge leap forward in digital toner press technology. The Xeikon CX3 narrows the gap between digital printing and traditional flexo and offset methods for producing labels and that increase in speed results in a lower total production cost.

The Cheetah can handle substrate widths of up to 330mm, with resolution of 1,200 x 3,600dpi.

Like all Xeikon presses it uses full rotary printing, where press speeds are independent of the number of colours used and the repeat length of the job. The stability of full rotary printing also makes step-and-repeat and finishing operations straightforward.

It uses dry toners that meet FDA regulations for food contact, and can use conventional substrates without any pre-treating. The toners are also very high in light fastness, ranging from 6.5 to 8 on the blue wool scale.

Xeikon’s labels and packaging machines can print opaque white toner in one pass.

A fifth station on the Cheetah and other Xeikon presses can be used to print gamut expansion colours or security toner, as well as the standard CMYK plus white. The white has a high opacity similar to the screen white. Other gamut expansion colours available include red, blue, green, orange and clear. These colours can be easily swapped as required without any need to wash up.

The press includes automatic inline register and density controls, imaging width is up to 322mm while repeat length is variable from zero to 55 metres. Media weights range from 40gsm to 350gsm with thicknesses from 40um to 550um.

Depending on the application, the presses can be optioned with a number of finishing solutions, including an inline aqueous or UV web varnishing module, sheeter and stacker.

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