Package printing picks up pace at Labelexpo

Day two saw the two sessions at the Package Printing Workshop feature area full to capacity, with additional audience members standing close to the presses to view the technology demonstrations. Sessions on the other three days of Labelexpo Europe 2013 were also well attended.

Xeikon and Nuova Gidue jointly hosted the feature area, with Nuova Gidue showing a Combat M3 powered by its Digital Flexo concept, which looks to automate the flexographic printing process.

Federico D’Annunzio, managing director at Nuova Gidue, is presenting the company’s technology to attendees, and said: ‘Digital Flexo looks to replace the eyes and hands of the operator with “digital” eyes and hands.

‘This makes it much easier to achieve repeatable quality and press performance, while making job set-up easier and more efficient.’

Xeikon ran an in-line digital carton production system, referred to as Roll2Carton, that consists of its own 3500 digital press and a Bograma finishing unit. Filip Weymans, director of segment marketing for labels and packaging at Xeikon, described the setup as, ‘the most compact roll to carton system.’

While many label printers might be unsure of the move into carton production, Weymans moved to reassure them by adding: ‘The commercial case is quite strong as our customers’ customers want more than just labels. The Xeikon digital press can be used to print labels too, but it also offers them the chance to offer the other packaging products that their customers need and want, and suit their demands for shorter leads times and more variation.’

The inaugural Packprint Summit Americas takes place on November 5-6 in Miami, offering additional opportunities for label printers to find out about the chance to extend into new markets, such as flexible packaging. Find out more and book to attend at packprintsummit.com/miami.