Cwl drives digital transformation in flex pack

Cwl Group has taken a significant step towards advancing its digital transformation by commissioning a second HP Indigo 200K Digital Press, following the successful installation of
the HP Indigo 25K in 2022. This move underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening its position in the digital flexible packaging sector.

Headquartered in Foshan, Guangdong Province, Cwl Group operates in a highly competitive market. The region is home to
numerous flexible packaging companies, making industrial competitiveness a core focus for the company.

Focus on digital
Digital flexible packaging is a central pillar of Cwl Group’s business strategy. According to Frank Jia, deputy general manager of Cwl Group and general manager of its digital
business division, the company has seen a growing proportion of short-run orders. Traditional production methods are costly and inefficient for handling short runs, creating a bottleneck that limits growth, leading CwL Group to choose digital technology to address these challenges.

Cwl Group’s core product is coffee bags, which are exported to over 70 countries. These products demand high color precision and consistent quality, alongside increasing market demand for multi-version customized packaging. Recognizing these dual requirements, the company began exploring digital technology eight years ago, including visits to HP’s demonstration center in Guangzhou and testing equipment at other facilities equipped with HP Indigo presses. This groundwork paved the way for its first HP Indigo 25K in April 2022, which enabled the company to meet key needs such as small-order production, short delivery cycles and customization.

Technology and talent investment

To complement its hardware upgrades, Cwl Group has invested in building a professional digital printing technical team. The company offers customized flexible packaging to meet diverse customer needs, ensuring that each product accurately reflects the brand’s values and philosophy.

“The region is home to numerous flexible packaging companies, making industrial competitiveness a core focus for the company”

With the first HP Indigo device operating at full capacity, the new equipment is expected to drive three major upgrades:
improved efficiency, cost optimization and service expansion.

The HP Indigo 200K offers a 45 percent improvement in efficiency, enabling shorter delivery cycles and faster responses. Its on-demand production model reduces inventory waste, supporting ‘zeroinventory’ services. Enhanced automation and speed allow for targeted reductions
in labor, energy consumption, and consumables, lowering overall production costs. The advanced variable-printing capabilities of the new equipment enable the company to better meet customer demand for multiple SKUs. This positions Cwl Group to transition from a flexible packaging manufacturer to what the company calls a ‘full-process digital
experience service provider,’ enhancing its competitiveness in the high-value-added flexible packaging market.

Following its installation in January, the HP Indigo 200K is expected to double the company’s production capacity, handling both large-batch standard orders and small-batch custom orders. It also reduces delivery cycles by 40 percent through cloud connectivity and intelligent quality assurance, enabling ‘same-day confirmation and next-day production’.

Future market trends

Jia highlights key structural transformations shaping the digital
flexible packaging market, beginning with personalization, which is driving demand.

‘The market is shifting from scale-oriented production to personalization-driven solutions. The rise of small and medium-sized brands, coupled with diverse consumer demands, has led to increased demand for small-batch, multi‑category, and multi-iterative packaging. Traditional gravure printing methods are unable to meet these requirements, whereas digital printing aligns perfectly with this trend.’

He continues: ‘Innovations in digital technology, such as HP Indigo, are driving a shift from the traditional inventory-based
model of “produce first, sell later” to an on-demand production model. This reduces operational risks like inventory backlogs
and capital constraints while enabling brands to respond quickly to market changes, enhancing their competitiveness.’

Environmental policies are also driving this demand. ‘With stricter environmental policies and growing consumer awareness, eco-friendly packaging materials are becoming more prevalent. Digital printing is highly compatible with these materials, making it a key growth area in the flexible packaging industry.’

Cwl Group was recognized as a ‘Green Factory’ in Guangdong Province in 2025, with digital printing technology ‘playing a pivotal role in achieving this milestone’.

HP says that Chinese flexible packaging companies are leading the sector’s digital transformation. Cwl Group’s strategic initiatives align with industry trends and are expected to serve as a valuable reference for other companies embarking on their own transformation journeys.