Mass-personalisation digital solution at Labelexpo 2017
ebeam Technologies, the developer and manufacturer of electron beam solutions and its partners, Uteco Converting and INX Digital International, will be at Labelexpo, September 25-28, 2017, Brussels Expo, Hall 4, stand A25. The partners will unveil the first industrial end-to-end digital narrow-web solution for safe mass-personalisation of flexible packaging and labels that have indirect contact with food.
This new solution will enable print and converting professionals, and brand owners in the flexible packaging sector to take advantage of the proven market opportunities around variable printing, such as product personalisation, short run market testing, print-on-demand or print-per-event and local area snap promotions. As the INX Digital ebeam curable inks are photoinitiator-free, package converters will now be able to target consumers using indirect personalised food packaging.
In-line ebeam curing has a number of benefits for package printing including a higher degree of cure, durability, a higher gloss finish and the ability to cure all colours. It also eliminates the need for solvents, produces virtually no VOCs and requires very little energy. Additionally, the solution reduces time to market due to the instant ebeam curing, which allows for the elimination of a lengthy drying stage and storage before cutting.
The new digital production line has been created by combining an in-line ebeam Technologies’ ebeam Compact 80/400 curing unit, Uteco’s expertise in web handling, and INX Digital’s expertise in customisation and integration of digital technologies and print engines. The 4-colour solution uses photoinitiator-free inkjet ebeam-curable inks from INX Digital, has a resolution up to 720 x 360 dpi and a throughput speed of up to 25 metres per minute. It also has a footprint of 4.4 x 1.5 metres and is a low energy, low pollution solution that will safely and conveniently fit into print room environments.
“This solution is all about freedom,” says Elsa Callini, business development manager at ebeam Technologies. “From choosing your supplier, to producing as many different packages as you like with compliant digital packaging, package designers are now free to let their imaginations go in the world of personalisation and variable printing. Personalisation is going to be a great way for brand owners to differentiate their products and they will be able to use our solution to test ideas with economic short runs.”