“This year has been one of the most successful Labelexpo Americas we have attended,” said Tom Cavalco, Executive Vice President, Mark Andy. “It was the first global event dedicated to the label market since Brussels in 2019. We felt the enthusiasm of the visitors who appreciated the opportunity to meet in the real world!
In line with ‘digital transformation’, the stand was dominated by digital/hybrid solutions and packed for the three days. Visitors came from 45 different countries, and unlike many other manufacturers, Mark Andy showed a variety of technologies in operation. Label converters commented on the company’s continued strong profile in the label market, saying it would influence their future investment plans. Discussions covered the first pilot installations of the new Digital Pro MAX press as well as many other prospects for hybrid inkjet presses.
Labelexpo Americas was the perfect opportunity for Mark Andy to showcase new technology for the narrow web industry, with a world premiere for the Digital Pro MAX. His live demonstrations included a beer label on metallic silver PP foil and a tea label on white PP with cold stamping.
The new press is the result of Mark Andy’s experience with digital technology, as well as feedback from users of previous Digital Pro models. It’s faster, costs less to print, includes white toner, and can be upgraded as needed. It offers CMYK + white at up to 160 ft/min (49 m/min), making it a future-proof investment, starting with roll-to-roll, and adding spot color flexo printing with up to three flexo stations before or after the digital engine. Cold foil and lamination stations can be added at any time.
If converters need to print on the back of the liner, the press can be fitted with a turnbar and leveled with Mark Andy’s semi-rotary vertical die-cut unit. White toner adds clear and metallic substrate capability without the need for a flexo station. “Digital Pro MAX offers new opportunities for printers and converters who specialize in short-run label production,” said Stu Gallup, vice president of digital sales. “It reduces waste and consumable costs and provides extended duty cycles that translate to more savings and improved overall efficiency.”
The configuration flexibility of the Mark Andy platforms allows the customer to choose the digital press configuration that best suits their needs, says David Medlar, vice president of the digital business unit. The two presses presented at Labelexpo represented the digital inkjet series. Digital Series iQ was launched last year and is a close technology cooperation with Domino, the manufacturer of the N610i UV inkjet module which is integrated with Mark Andy’s Evolution Series platform. Digital Series iQ can be configured with up to seven UV inkjet colors – CMYKOV+WW. Hybrid converting components include flexo print stations, semi-rotary die-cutting, rail system for web turner bars or cold foil unit and in-line slitting as required. The press offers a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi at up to 70 m/min. Live demonstrations included VDP printing on glossy white BOPP sheet and Kambucha label printed on chrome metallic PP sheet.
Top of the line in Chicago, and catching attention was the Digital HD Series, which is Mark Andy’s own in-house development aimed squarely at the high end of the market and is already a popular choice among label printers and converters around the world. full, digital Inkjet engine offers up to seven colors – CMYK + OGV+W and 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution at up to 73 m/min on web widths up to 431 mm, with many embellishment and finishing options online. A wider color gamut, combined with a specially formulated, highly pigmented white ink, allows it to print effects like the rotating screen. The live demonstrations included a bourbon label on a silver metallic foil with a textured varnish/matte varnish as well as a face cream label on a transparent PP sheet with a matte varnish.
Earlier this year, Mark Andy launched the sMArt link. This software system is designed for label and packaging converters who want to improve press utilization, efficiency and sustainability. It helps operations managers to immediately adjust processes and management to make data-driven strategic decisions, resulting in reduced waste and increased efficiency. It is accessible via a cloud-based platform and is suitable for new and existing Mark Andy presses and other presses found on the converting floor, both flexo and digital/hybrid. It links all equipment into a robust analytical tool accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Rotoflex showcased three slitters/rewinders, including the new AT4 automatic turret system for inline and offline label conversion. Its capabilities address a wide range of label maker applications, including highly processed advanced media. Live demonstrations also included the Rotoflex VLI model – a slitter/rewinder with 100% inspection and the Rotoflex VSI, which is the most widely used model in traditional label and roll print inspection and rewind. roller.
Mark Andy Print Products (MAPP) promoted its global service team, offering technical support, business development advice and application expertise. MAPP exhibited a full range of flexo plate processing and imaging equipment from leading prepress suppliers, including DuPont Cyrel plates and FAST processor, Tesa mounting tape and Esko digital imaging equipment and software. Representatives of Kluge and Presstek were also present at the stand.
In conclusion, Jason Desai, CEO of Mark Andy, said, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who visited our booth at Labelexpo Americas 2022. According to organizers, the event was attended by over 13,500 people from 80 countries, which gives us optimism for next year’s show in Brussels. We hope it will take place as it is always a great opportunity to meet customers and business partners from Europe and other continents.
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