Integrated Digital Printing and Converting

Abstract

For digital printing to be successful in the label market, the technology needs to include all the converting flexibility for which narrow web in-line presses are well known. The technology needs to be truly integrated into converting equipment that the label industry currently uses. It needs to have the capability to lay down spot colors and varnishes, diecut, strip the waste, foil stamp, etc. A successful solution will treat digital printing just like another printing process – and not have to run many off-line operations to finish converting the label. The key is to provide digital printing as added flexibility on current converting equipment, allowing it to print an even wider variety of labels. Thus eliminating the investment of off-line technology to provide the low-cost answer to short runs and variable information.This paper will describe an example of how digital inkjet printing can be combined with laser finishing to satisfy the needs of the label converters. It will address the technology of the combination of inkjet printing and laser finishing. It will also address the production economics and discuss the benefits of producing the complete label in one pass through the press.