'Digital finishing must evolve new functions', says specialist Brotech

Speaking at a conference session of the South China Labelexpo show, Lee told delegates: ‘This might include adding RFID, QR code, or booklet functionality. And we are now moving into packaging solutions – tubes and flexible packaging as well as integrating labels with printed electronics.’

Brotech is receiving more enquiries for in-mold labels. ‘For IML, the biggest headache is not from printing, but post-press converting. IML is growing rapidly and there a lot of issues around converting, and this is where the label printer can make a big difference and differentiate themselves.’

Lee said digital printing is now ‘sky-rocketing’ in China as converters try to solve major profitability challenges. ‘I tell our customers if you hesitate to go digital, then in five years time you will have no chances.’ 

Challenges faced by converters -  ‘all sizes of printer from family size to multi-nationals’ - include the need for value-added combination finishing as brands try to stand out; handling different print processes; new materials types like linerless PS and electronic printing; the need to develop niche business; become a one-stop shop; and new requirements for quality inspection and TQC.

‘I spend most time now analyzing projects and their requirements. Usually the price is settled in a few hours, but it takes 6-12 months to work on a project to meet these goals. In the future everything will be about smart devices and working to global quality benchmarks.’

Automation will be the key future trend, said Lee. ‘A lack of trained staff is a problem everywhere, and young people don’t want to spend their lives in the print industry. So you need to replace human actions with smart factories using automated quality control equipment. Customers will use common standards to assess quality control of products, and we are now co-operating with smart factory system providers to allow this to happen. The QC equipment will link prepress to press and post-press equipment to make the most of materials and not rely on manual input. Management of the whole factory becomes digitalized.

Today there is no quality system in the labels industry. If the customer is satisfied, that is the end.’

In terms of future technology, Lee said Brotech is looking at RFID chip manufacturing systems integrated with label and package finishing.

‘Smart labels is the big market trend, with RF or RFID labels for tags for logistics management or high value products.'