Inkjet & Digital Printing
Domino Makes its Mark in Digital Colour with Ipex Launch for N-Series
Wednesday 26. May 2010 - Domino, the world leader in in-line variable data printing and product identification marks its entry into the full-colour digital printing market at IPEX 2010 with the commercial launch of its new N-Series piezo ink jet range.
The N-Series line-up will incorporate both standalone label printing presses and modules featuring scalable print-width for OEM integration. The N600 digital label printing press on show at IPEX offers 1200dpi nominal print resolution with a native resolution of 600dpi and four greyscales operating at a leading edge 50-75m/m using durable UV inks. Capable of printing onto a range of paper and plastic label stocks, the N600 will be demonstrated in a reel-to-reel execution with a print width of 333mm (13.1″) – compatible with most standard finishing solutions.
“We have been closely monitoring technology and market trends in the digital printing market since before IPEX 2006, when we test marketed an early 200dpi prototype machine,” explains Philip Easton, Director – Digital Printing Solutions at Domino. “Brand owners are increasingly seeking to address their customers more directly and specifically by means of targeted and localised labels and packaging and initiatives such as special promotions.
“Combined with this are more generalised trends for efficiency savings: brand owners are wary of holding large numbers of SKUs due to the risk of obsolescence, the potential for waste and the complexity of stock management. For printers, this translates into greater demand for short runs with fast turnaround. Conventional flexo printing involves production economics that incline towards multiple SKUs, while the beauty of digital is that bespoke labels can be produced rapidly using blank or generic stock. The greater flexibility afforded by a fully digital process for both pre-print and variable data enables users to efficiently meet customer requirements for localisation, including language changes, and special promotions.”
The N600 label press can also be configured to operate in-line with a digital finishing solution, such as those produced by GM and AB Graphics, via dancer roller web infeed. Standard features include automatic head cleaning; if the printer is left inactive for a period of time it will automatically go to the cleaning station so the print nozzles can be flushed and then parked. The fluid management system cycles the ink in order to further reduce the risk of nozzle blocking requiring maintenance. A range of optional quality assurance measures includes vision systems for tracking registration and colour density.
The capability to handle as wide a range of substrates as possible is afforded by an optional corona treatment module. The majority of industry label stocks can be used without the need to pre-treat and the durability of UV ink jet means over varnishing is not always necessary.
“In our view there is now an excellent fit between digital printing and the underlying requirements of the brand owner,” affirms Easton. “Our objectives in the development of the N-Series have been to provide the flexibility of digital with variable data capability, leading edge productivity and low cost of operation.
Ongoing development activities will ensure that Domino continues to sustain its lead in quality and performance.”