Flextrus adds digital to offering

European flexible packaging manufacturer Flextrus has added digital printing capabilities to its offering, as it seeks to take its packaging expertise ‘to another level’.

Flextrus said its digital printing service, in partnership with Mediaköket, responds to the need to increase sales and reduce costs

Flextrus said its digital printing service, in partnership with Mediaköket, which Flextrus acquired last year, responds to the need to increase sales and reduce costs. Mediaköket has long experience in digital printing, and services such as print management, graphical production and tailored web services. It has previously invested in an HP Indigo 20000 digital press.

Digital printing and finishing is offered on a wide range of materials, for both wide and narrow web applications, including a selection of finishing options, such as lacquering, embossing, laser scoring, hot and cold foil, and web inspection. This is complemented by a graphic design and print management service. Varnishes are used to create visual effects and product differentiation to drive sales. Gloss can be used to increase color depth and saturation, as well as offer a reflective finish, whilst a matte varnish enables a smooth and structured surface to create a more sophisticated overall look and feel. Tactile varnishes provide unique textures to packaging. The varnishes can be applied in different patterns to create light refracting or holographic effects before curing.

The wider digital press at Mediaköket is combined with a wide web finishing unit that can be used for special varnishes, lamination and slitting. Flextrus noted that the choice to use electron beam (EB) curing, in combination with digitally printed flexible materials, makes Mediaköket unique in Europe, and provides a safe option when it comes to environmental and food safety aspects.

Cliff Gorst, Flextrus UK and Ireland sales director, said: ‘In today’s consumer driven market, retailers and brands need to make sure their pack has great shelf appeal – not only in terms of clever innovative features like reclose or reseal but also striking, eye-catching graphics that engage consumers as they browse the shelves, both in-store and online.

‘There are multiple benefits to digital printing which suit the fast-paced retail environment we now operate in. The trend for customized and personalized packaging to drive sales means brands and retailers want their products on the shelves within days, not weeks; add this to the fact that product refreshes in the UK take place on average every 6.6 months and it becomes clear that digital printing is the only economically viable technology.’