Finishing was a focus for a number of exhibitors at Labelexpo in Brussels last month. HP, KURZ, Avery Dennison and Pulse presented solutions to deliver tactile and visually exciting brand design.
HP inc announced that HP Indigo GEM, the first fully digital, one-pass embellishment solution, is now available for pre-ordering, with shipping set for Spring [northern hemisphere] 2018.
Integrated with the HP Indigo WS6800 Digital Press, the GEM produces highly decorated labels simply and efficiently, and enables embellishing with foil, screen, tactile, varnish and other special effects, using one workflow, one operator, and one design file without the need for tooling. The HP Indigo GEM utilises GEM Coat and GEM Clear, sold by HP Indigo. (In Australia and New Zealand, HP Indigo presses are supplied through Currie Group.)
Packaging that stimulates multiple senses was the focus of Avery Dennison’s Labelexpo stand. Segment director Ralph Olthoff said the previous show allowed the company to highlight “exclusive labelling materials that help brands stand out”.
This year, Avery Dennison built on this theme by demonstrating such advances as the Sensorial Collection, which gives designers a broad toolset to create soft, textured or patterned papers that can give a premium, vintage or artisanal feel. These diverse label surfaces can give consumers subtle messages about a bottle’s contents while contributing to a strong visual impact. This product portfolio offers various effects, from wood to velvet – allowing brands to create unique label designs that engage many senses at once.
The Kurz booth attracted visitors with the “world first” DM-Liner UV Ink built-in finishing station. Integrated into a narrow-web printing machine, the digital metal foil transfer station is a component of the new MLabel Generation 3 MPrint printing system which prints, finishes, punches and weeds labels.
Kurz demonstrated the full range of functionality of the MLabel system, and the trouble-free integration of the digital metal transfer step into the digital printing process.
UK narrow web ink company Pulse Roll Label Products (represented in Australia by Jet Techonologies) launched a new food packaging compliant (FPC) UV flexo rough texture varnish at the show.
In partnership with Sandon Global, Creation Reprographics and Hamilton Adhesive Labels, the company can now provide a finish for those wanting to incorporate rough texture and tactile effects onto consumer packaging and labelling.
The varnish is part of a joint tactile coating solution aimed at the craft beer label market and other specialised print applications.
Look out for PKN's full report on Labelexpo in the Nov-Dec 2017 print issue, which will also be available in a digital version on our website.
