Mark Andy widens digital options

Using figures compiled by Mark Hanly at IT Strategies, Wilken said that today only 2.5 percent of the total square meterage of PS labels in North America is accounted for by digital.

Wilken was introducing the company’s new entry-level Digital One EP dry toner press, which images at 1200 DPI at 62ft/min. This complements the Digital Series press, which, Wilken pointed out, is the only fully integrated hybrid on the market, with Mark Andy’s own digital team integrating print heads and software into the P7 press modules. The hybrid format, said Wilken, means converters can overcome a major hurdle to digital adoption - a sufficiently opaque white.

Mark Andy has also developed its own workflow software, ProWorx, which allows converters a seamless workflow between digital and conventional presses.

Another exciting Mark Andy launch at this show is the P7 press configured for ‘food grade’ flexible packaging converting with LED-UV curing and in-line solvent-less lamination. The press was demonstrated running at 1,000 ft/min with Flint Ancora LM LED inks. These inks meet the requirements of EU/FDA migration limits and lamination allows an extra degree of security while capturing odour emissions. The lamination web is kept separate from the print process so there is no possibility of contamination.

A final announcement was an exclusive agreement with Colordyne to distribute its add-on modular inkjet unit to existing Mark Andy presses. This would require converters buying in specially coated materials, and can then print on paper and film stocks.