SMAG and HP announce digital-screen press project

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Screen press and finishing systems specialist SMAG has signed an agreement with HP Indigo to develop a hybrid Screen-Digital press targeted at short run, high value added labels in the cosmetic, wine and industrial sectors.


The announcement was made at an open day SMAG held in Paris last week, which also marked the first appearance of a prototype laser die-cutting system from Dutch company Omega.

The joint SMAG development project with HP Indigo will marry the advantages of a screen press - with its ability to handle specialist coatings and inks - with the ws4050 digital print engine launched at Labelexpo Americas. HP Indigo's new system can handle unsupported film substrates as well as traditional laminates. The press will be based around SMAG's existing Galaxie roll to roll flatbed screen press, which has already sold well into end use sectors where a high degree of chemical resistance or ink lay-down is required. The first prototype is expected to be available for field testing early in 2005.

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