At HP Indigo headquarters in Israel in March, PKN was among the media contingent invited to preview the new digital printing technology that will be on show at drupa.
Four years ago at the mega-printing show, HP announced the entry of Indigo into the packaging world. This was was followed by a massive marketing push at the global packaging show interpack in 2014, where HP's presence and new product offering made a huge impact and where the extent of its investment and intentions for the labels and packaging industry were made loud and clear.
“We delivered what we promised at drupa 2012, with over 300 units of HP Indigo 10000, 20000 and 30000 installed in over 38 countries today,” Alon Bar Shany, GM Indigo division, HP told media and analysts gathered in Israel for the pre-drupa 2016 product preview.
Also since drupa 2012, HP customers have more than doubled HP Indigo WS6000 series Digital Press installations to 1,000+ units.
Bar Shany said: “It hasn't been easy evangelising digital... many converters are comfortable where they are, they like things predictable. And it's a huge investment, we understand that.
“But those that do 'get it' don't look back,” he said, citing a comment made by one of the Australian printers when they purchased their first HP Indigo 10000 digital press: “We decided there was more risk in not changing...”
“Packaging is a much bigger part of our future now,” Bar Shany said. “The opportunities are massive in this market that is still relatively 'untouched' by digital.
For the label and packaging (flexible and folding carton industries), HP announced new technology and upgrades to existing models that will all be commercially available in 2016.
Brand new, and described as the industry's “most productive narrow web label press” is the HP Indigo 8000 Digital Press offering high-volume converters end-to-end label production at double the speed previously available – up to 80 meters per minute or 262 feet per minute.
Working in-line or off-line with an ABG FAST Track semi-rotary die cut unit, the press provides an efficient all-digital workflow as well as real-time quality assurance, using AVT inspection technology.
Next-level flexible packaging options
The HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press now features an upgrade package that enables compatibility with new substrates, such as polyethylene and stretchable materials, for a wider range of high-volume flexible packaging, shrink sleeve, and in-mold and pressure-sensitive label applications, including lids and laminated tubes.
It also offers new colour capabilities, allowing advanced colour matching and colour consistency across jobs, presses and sites.
For flexible packaging, it promises faster turnarounds than previously possible with HP Indigo Pack Ready Lamination which eliminates cure time, enabling immediate time to market.
Additionally, optimised converting solutions from Comexi, AB Graphics, Karville and other partners provide faster near-line and in-line finishing as well as reduced waste and shorter setup times.
Like the 8000 and WS 6800, the 20000 supports the new HP Indigo ElectroInk Premium White in high-concentration 20-kilogram ink pails for industrial-scale productivity.
Additionally, the HP Indigo 8000, WS6800 and 20000 Digital Presses feature a new colour automation package that perfects colour accuracy, consistency and repeatability, enabling converters to reach any brand colour in minutes.
Folding carton possibilities expand with new substrates
The HP Indigo 30000 Digital Press upgrade package increases productivity up to 30 per cent and enables dozens of folding carton jobs per day. The press allows new high-margin opportunities with synthetic media as well as metallised boards, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate materials. The HP Indigo 30000 Digital Press also provides new and improved security features, such as micro text and barcodes.
Designed especially for in-line finishing with the HP Indigo 30000 Digital Press, the TRESU iCoat 30000 now offers protective and spot varnish in one pass as well as new embellishment capabilities with gold, silver and other high-viscosity flexo inks. The HP Indigo 30000 Digital Press is also compatible with HP partner converting solutions for inspection, creasing, folding and gluing. Integration with AVT’s inline inspection system ensures error-free production, automatically ejecting defective sheets.
All HP Indigo digital presses offer HP PrintOS connectivity, allowing customers to monitor print status remotely as well as track and improve production performance over time. HP PrintOS is expected to be available for customers in Australia in the second half of 2016.
HP will demonstrate the new solutions from May 31 to June 10 in Hall 17 at drupa 2016 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
HP Indigo equipment is supplied by Currie Group in Australian and New Zealand: www.curriegroup.com.au
