Mercian Labels Group launches digitally printed folding cartons

With unique features and variable data now ever more frequently demanded in the carton industry, UK-based Mercian Labels Group launched an innovative new service at the Packaging Innovations Exhibition in Birmingham, UK.

Using the latest Xeikon 3000 series digital platform and a unique new inline conversion process, the company is now delivering variable data and multiple designs onto printed folding cartons, cost effectively in short runs.

Managing director Dr Adrian Steele said: ‘The conventional sheet fed litho manufacturing process for printed folding cartons limits the creativity that brands wish to incorporate into their packaging. Digital printing permits the inclusion of personalized content on every pack, with infinite versions for trials as well as inclusion of unique brand protection features. The Xeikon imaging technology we use offers fantastic full color 1200dpi quality using light-fast and FDA approved food-safe toners.’

The samples on show at the Easyfairs Packaging Innovations Exhibition are printed on high quality 400 micron folding cartonboard, and incorporate a number of security features such as microtext, variable barcodes and variable text and numbering.

‘The Mercian Labels Group has combined digital print with an innovative and unique converting process to print and die cut the cartons in a single pass that is ready for conventional folding and gluing. Die origination is cheap and fast, and we are looking to bring lead times down to those offered to our labeling customers, typically being 3-5 days from artwork approval,’ said Dr Steele.

‘We expect this new service, which we believe to be the first of its kind in the UK, to attract excitement and interest from brands of all sizes looking to differentiate their offering using their printed cartons.

‘Our labeling experience shows us that customers who have taken advantage of the benefits of digital printing have seen significant increases in their businesses as multiple SKUs appealing to smaller but higher value niche markets becomes cost effective. We expect a similar trend to happen in printed folding cartons.

‘As the market leader in multi-design labeling in the UK we have an established track record of bringing the advantages of digital print to the labeling market, and we are now expanding this into new and innovative forms of packaging as well.’

Applications will include prototyping, market tests, short run batches, security packaging and unique direct marketing content.

Further details of the new service are available at www.digitalcartonprinting.co.uk.

Click here for more stories about Mercian Labels on L&L.com.