The first converter to use Screen’s Truepress Jet L350UV+LM (low-migration ink) inkjet label press for flexible pouches plans to use it to expand into a fast-growing market.
Hine Labels, based in the UK, purchased the L350UV+LM in 2018 as its low-migration inks are compliant with safety standards for food labelling and packaging.
According to Bill Hine, managing director, the press’s uptime, reliability, quality, and capability of printing 60 metres per minute made it a good investment. Hine Labels is now moving into standable pouches and sachets for food, liquids, and FMCGs, under its new www.houp.com division.
“It was a logical decision to apply our existing Truepress Jet L350UV+LM to digitally print pouches. With its low migration inks, the press is perfect to produce premium pouches that are compliant with the strict food safety standards. This allows houp.com to differentiate its offering and enjoy a new and exciting revenue stream,” said Hine.
According to Hine, the converter had identified a gap in the market for digitally printed short-run pouches.
“Our clients are looking to achieve professional packaging without the commitment of ordering larger volumes, and they are looking for multiple applications from the same provider. The Screen Truepress Jet L350UV+LM allows us to move into various different markets in order to satisfy our customer-base and the ever-demanding needs of a competitive market,” he said.
Peter Scott, managing director of Screen GP Australia, said the manufacturer has been working on pouching solutions for some time, and that the level of interest is growing.
“The key is combining the short-run benefit of digital printing with a converting line to laminate and make the pouches. These lines are readily available from manufacturers such as Karlville, Uflex and others. A variety of closures such as zip-locks, vent valves (for coffee) and spouts can be built in, when the pouches are ready for aseptic filling and sealing.
“The L350UV+LM is ideal for pouches because of the food-safe inks and ability to print a 700mm wide PET or other roll, already seamed on one side by folding it to 350mm and printing both sides,” said Scott.
According to Scott, digital pouching is a “powerful new direction” for label producers, and allows SMEs to access big brand marketing.
“There is one case of a small manufacturer of sixteen kinds of fragrant bath salts moving to digitally-printed pouches and selling them through Amazon online, with excellent sales worldwide. This is just one of the opportunities offered by Screen Truepress short-run pouch printing and converting – as well as labels, of course,” he said.
The Screen Truepress Jet L350UV+ line is available through Jet Technologies.
