While digital printing is already firmly established in the label and commercial printing sector, flexible packaging continues to evolve. W&H, machine builder and flexible packaging specialist, has reached its first milestone in its digital printing machine development concept. W&H has partnered with inkjet printhead manufacturer Xaar, basing the project on piezo inkjet technology.

"We see a need in the flexible packaging market to use digital printing in addition to the established processes. This is driven by the need for faster time-to-market and very short order lengths," explains Jürgen Vutz, CEO of W&H. "However, the application of flexible packaging has very special requirements, for example regarding the adhesion of the ink to the film. As specialists in this market, we bring expert knowledge to offer answers to these challenges. First, by continuously advancing the established processes such as flexo and gravure printing. Second, by opening up the possibilities of digital printing for flexible packaging."

W&H has been conducting research in the field of digital printing for several years. Since 2016, the digital printing team has driven the implementation with a development project involving million-dollar investments. "We first collected practical requirements, evaluated technologies and tested new approaches. This has resulted in a machine concept that stands out from all existing approaches and provides our customers with added value. We are now implementing this with suitable partners. The new digital machine concept from W&H is characterized by higher quality and higher speeds," explains Sven Michael, head of the digital team at W&H.

"High availability and usability in daily use are our top priorities," says Vutz. "Our goal is to go to market with a functioning and mature digital printing machine that delivers on the promises of digital printing for flexible packaging as well."