Michael Nankervis’s Melbourne-based digital label house Onpack, part of the Southern Impact group, has teamed up with Screen GP and Prati to build itself into a converting powerhouse.
The converter installed Screen’s popular TruePress Jet L350UV narrow-web inkjet press from Jet Technologies, in conjunction with Prati finishing technology supplied by industry stalwart James Rodden, to keep up with demand for short-run, quick-turnaround jobs.
According to Nankervis, the decision was a result of careful deliberation.
“Having never been flexo label printers, we had to make sure the digital start-up worked from the word go,” he said.
“We first saw the Screen L350UV at drupa 2016, then at Jet Technologies’ Sydney showroom, and we also visited L350UV customers in Australia and the UK.”
Nankervis believes one of the most attractive elements of this solution, which includes the Digifast One and Saturn Omnia from Prati as well as the Screen press, is the reduction in time spent changing runs.
“The speed and ability to take on multiple SKUs with variable data has allowed us to extend our reach into the short to medium run labelling arena,” he said.
“With the Screen L350UV we’ve also enhanced our versatility for printing on a variety of substrates, as well as unsupported films and foils.”
According to Nankervis, the Screen and Prati kit is part of Onpack’s push for innovation in applications, technologies, and partners, and both Prati and Jet Technologies have the know-how to help with this goal.
“Jet Technologies provides key knowledge, not only in flexo printing but in the greater food packaging industry and manufacturing, making them the best partner to help our business grow,” said Nankervis.
“These partnerships give Onpack the tools to continue to grow and innovate in the world of narrow web printing.”
The Screen Truepress L350UV prints at 50 metres per minute regardless of the number of colours or complexity of print. Adding opaque white to the print reduces the top speed to 30 metres per minute due to the high opacity, which rivals screen printing with a single pass.
Prati’s Digifast product allows Onpack to print varnish/laminate, foil, and die cut jobs printed on the L350UV, and is a modular machine that can be customised further for future requirements.
“At Onpack we carefully consider our client’s budget, market and product needs to ensure seamless labelling and an outstanding finished result,” said Nankervis.
“With our new digital printing solution, Onpack has reduced customer lead times, set-up costs, and working capital requirements, and helped them to eliminate obsolete inventory.”
