Digitally printed packages
Since 2015, the advantages of digital inkjet printing have also been available for large series and corrugated cartons. Iris Brugger underlines this fact by pointing out the multiple benefits of great flexibility, high print quality, maximum topicality and almost limitless creativity.Digital printing also brings personalization and individualization, which, according to the Model AG spokeswoman, allows a reduction in storage capacity. Brand owners can implement marketing campaigns that were previously not considered feasible, even at short notice, according to Brugger. According to her, the entire digital packaging supply chain needs to be re-evaluated, a clear message that has already been fulfilled in other printing sectors.Even though prepress is significantly shortened and time and costs for cliché and printing plate production are eliminated, the new technology places high demands on print data. Precise print data that conforms to the specifications is indispensable in digital printing. This is because digital printing brings out the smallest deviations and errors in the data.
Drastically reduced throughput times
This observation about digital printing in the packaging sector is shared by Marco Zehnder of Bourquin SA. He is convinced that demand is increasing because the need for the advantages of digital printing has been awakened. Above all, the possibility of short (or long) runs meets the trend for smaller warehouses, a very current customer need.In addition, digital printing shortens turnaround times, the time from inquiry to execution becomes shorter. We're talking about two to four days in the ideal case, compared to flexo, where we reckon with up to several weeks, or in screen printing with around one to three weeks, "all inclusive", i.e. from the preparation of a print subject to the feasibility study to data creation (prepress) and finally to production.For Joachim Hoeltz, too, digital printing is "en vogue" among packaging manufacturers because everyone concerned is looking into the subject, although digital printing is not yet very widespread in folding carton production today. In this respect, the Rondo CEO expects a significant turnaround in the next two to three years among all those packaging companies that want to meet the demands of the market.
Highest resolution even at high speed
The Swiss Model Group is already banking on the revolution in packaging printing. At the Weinfelden/Switzerland site, a beta version of the new digital press from Bobst, the world's leading supplier of high-quality equipment and services for packaging manufacturers, was already commissioned three years ago and fully integrated into the production process.At the heart of the Bobst system is Kodak's Stream Inkjet technology. This imaging technology not only offers intense color reproduction and one of the highest print resolutions available, it also works with food-grade water-based inks.This allows pin-sharp images to be printed at a resolution of 600 × 900 dpi, so far unique on the market. And this at a printing speed of 200 meters per minute.This finally makes digital printing an option for long runs; in addition, this system also enables personalization at high speeds. Regardless of whether the end product is packaging or a display. Sheets up to a maximum size of 1.3 × 2.1 meters can be printed.The cost-effectiveness and quality of digital printing are inspiring. New forms, personalized printing, individualization - and all this with maximum topicality - are arguments capable of revolutionizing the packaging market, says Iris Brugger.
