O-I : Expressions invests in Hybrid Software technology

O-I : Expressions, a service provided by O-I Glass Inc. (O-I) installs Hybrid Software to create new marketing opportunities for brands through customization and personalization by sculpting glass bottles with multi-dimensional effects enabled by digital printing.

O-I : Expressions invests in Hybrid Software

The company enables brands to create packaging at flexible volumes, industrial speeds, and with an unprecedented range of colors and designs by adding customized tactile effects, such as clear and color embossing with the help of Hybrid Software’s Cloudflow and Packz packages.

A year and a half ago, when O-I began developing digital designing for glass packaging, its goal was to collaborate with all customers and employees within one multi-device platform, which would be simple to use without requiring hours of training. The company transitioned from a legacy paper-based system to a digital one, with the help of Hybrid Software’s flexible platform. By using this technology, O-I can leverage a cloud service and integrate new people into the system wherever they are within a day with an online, two-way collaboration.

The Hybrid Packz allows designers to focus more on design, and less on repetitive tasks such as trapping, imposition, and color management. With a native PDF file format workflow, decision makers can easily view a file, review it, and approve it before production.

‘Variable data is a key feature in digital printing. My focus is the people. The technology lets our people add value,’ explained Apostolos Pratos, global sales and marketing digital transformation leader at O-I. ‘For example, we have done some work sending car owners a personalized gift with their names. That was a small, manual project. We prefer an automated system. With Hybrid Cloudflow and Packz, our designers can focus more on design, and less on the repetitive tasks.’