Mark Andy showcases flexo, hybrid and Color Smart

Mark Andy will showcase four technologies alongside the formal debut of its new Color Smart pressroom program at Loupe Americas 2026 in Chicago, covering flexographic and digital hybrid production, finishing, consumables management and color consistency for label and packaging converters.

The Performance Series S9 is a mid-web flexographic press with web widths up to 26 inches and speeds up to 1,000 fpm, targeting pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, unsupported films and light cartons. The HighSpeed 1200 is a digital hybrid press delivering inkjet production at speeds up to 480 fpm with variable data capability, high-opacity white, security ink options and configurations from roll-to-roll to fully in-line converting. The Rotoflex VLI-440 inspection, slitting and rewind system targets high-speed finishing for film, film packaging and tension-sensitive materials. SupplySmart by Mark Andy Print Products rounds out the booth with scan-and-go inventory visibility, smart replenishment and consumables management.

Making its formal public debut at the show is the Mark Andy Print Products Color Smart Program, a pressroom initiative combining press fingerprinting, calibration and documented standard operating procedures to help converters achieve more consistent color across jobs, presses, shifts and operators. The program follows a five-step process covering evaluation of prepress, plate room and pressroom workflows, product recommendations across plates, mounting tape, anilox rolls, doctor blades and ink, press fingerprinting under controlled conditions and development of a documented color specification. Color Smart can be applied to Mark Andy equipment as well as presses from other manufacturers.

'Color consistency is rarely determined by one component,' said Dave Telken, senior vice president of Mark Andy Print Products. 'It depends on how the plates, mounting tape, anilox rolls, doctor blades, ink, and press settings work together. Color Smart brings those variables into one coordinated process so converters have a clearly defined production standard that they can repeat from one job to the next.'

'Loupe Americas gives us an important opportunity to connect directly with converters who are balancing growth, efficiency, labor constraints, and new application demands,' added Duane Pekar, CEO of Mark Andy. 'The technologies we're bringing to Chicago reflect our broader commitment to helping customers strengthen every part of their operation.'