Greg Hrinya, Associate Editor07.27.15
The products range from new printing presses to prepress software, and some industry veterans are even planning on stepping outside of their comfort zone to introduce innovative solutions. The products are aimed at all the latest industry trends: digital printing, sustainable materials, faster speeds, thinner substrates, integration and higher quality.
Nilpeter will display Panorama, a digital UV inkjet technology with an integrated finishing system and market-leading workflow automation. Prati will showcase its Digifast One, which is a response to the digital trend. In addition to running at speeds of 80 mpm, the machinery features smart design features and intuitive controls. Overall, setup time is estimated at less than eight minutes. Domino will also offer digital solutions, including 7 color N610i as a standalone roll-to-roll label press and as a hybrid solution integrated with an AB Graphic Digicon 3 finishing line. This unit will feature integrated flexo, varnishing and diecutting stations.
With many flexo press manufacturers including digital options in their product lines, visitors will flock to see the latest digital innovations. The show’s larger digital presence has certainly piqued my interest.
In a recent podcast with Label & Narrow Web, Dan Muenzer, VP of marketing at Constantia Flexibles, said that he believed “if [beer companies] had it their way, they would have digital on everything, if they could. It’s just a function of the digital technology catching up to the volumes, speeds and durability requirements. There is an immense amount of interest in it.”
The event includes more than the exhibitors’ booths, though. Labelexpo Europe will include presentations, networking opportunities, workshops, packaging labs and label academies. In fact, one label academy will focus entirely on digital printing. Mike Fairley will host this four-hour class that highlights presses, materials, finishing solutions, color management and prepress workflow.
During the opening evening, the Label Industry Global Awards 2015 will take place, as well. FINAT’s Kurt Walker, the outgoing president, is set to receive the R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award.
With two months left to go until Labelexpo Europe, it promises to live up to its billing: ‘Technology saves the day! The end.”