Inkjet & Digital Printing

SPGPrints demonstrates productivity and economics of DSI UV-inkjet technology and digital plate imaging at Labelexpo Americas 2014

Monday 01. September 2014 - SPGPrints demonstrates its proven digital UV-inkjet technology, new low-migration inks, computer-to-plate and computer-to-screen imaging, and rotary screen printing technology for labels and packaging at Labelexpo Americas, 9-11 September in Chicago (booth 530).

Brilliant, rapid and low-cost labels with the DSI
SPGPrints’ modular DSI digital UV inkjet printer offers a productive solution for short-run, variable data and personalised labels thanks to its high specification, low ownership cost and high-definition reproduction. Offering production speeds of up to 700m²/hour and available in widths from 135mm to 530mm, the system is a competitive alternative to flexo for production runs of up to 5,000 linear metres and, sometimes, even beyond.
The printing platform, with CMYK as standard, can be built or latterly extended with up to six more print heads. Options are orange and violet to make 90% of the Pantone colour gamut achievable, digital white with ‘screen-look’ opacity and digital primer to maximise substrate compatibility, while minimising waste.
Photo-quality is a given thanks to proprietary scratch / chemical-resistant UV inks that have been optimized by SPGPrints’ own chemists, specially for the DSI press. They offer BWS-7 light fastness, high gloss and 1% tonal values. An ink innovation highlight is a new range of low-migration inks, about which more will be revealed in the run-up to the show.
The Xaar print head achieves an effective resolution of 1018dpi, with several grayscales. Intermediate in-line LED pinning stations ensure crisp text, fine lines and maximise colour definition. A water-cooled chill drum enables processing of heat-sensitive substrates.
The system can be specified as a stand-alone printer or a custom-built single-pass printing, finishing and converting line. Integration of any AB Graphic semi-rotary finishing technology is possible. Highlights include inline varnishing for an identical look to conventional print, foiling and laser diecutting, alongside conventional semi-rotary die-cutting and slitting. Esko Automation software, included as standard, ensures a fast, simplified prepress workflow, with minimal manual intervention needed.
SPGPrints offers extensive technical support, preventative maintenance and intensive training to ensure customers adopt the digital workflow fast and deliver brand-enhancing and business-transforming products and services to label users.
Bas Hoijtink, commercial manager (graphics) at SPGPrints, comments: “The future-proof specification of the DSI press together with optimised ink technology and SPGPrints’ technical expertise is proving to be a strong basis for success in high-end short run decorative and industrial label markets. We are working closely to help customers enter a diverse range of added-value services, such as prototyping, variable data printing and web-to-print.”
variLEX CTP / CTS processor: a simple, single digital workflow for HD flexo, dry-offset and screen
SPGPrints’ variLEX hybrid CTP (computer-to-plate) and CTS (computer-to-screen) processor gives the label and packaging industry a single, digital imaging solution for high-definition flexo, dry-offset, screen and letterpress printing formes.
variLEX can be equipped with a multibeam diode laser system for ablating the black mask and/or a multibeam diode laser system to directly expose UV-sensitive materials like screens. Its integrated inline exposure system, unique to the variLEX, facilitates ablation and exposure in one step. This eliminates the need for offline exposure and ensures sharp printing results.
The machine accommodates different mounting cylinders to handle all common plate and screen material available on the market. These include a black anodized vacuum cylinder for flexo plates, a magnetic cylinder for screens and letterpress plates, and a hybrid cylinder (vacuum and magnetic) to handle all materials.
The system comes with SPGPrints’ unique software solutions, including the company’s database-driven on-the-fly RIP system. This allows use of all common graphics industry file systems.
Arno Bouwmeester, managing director, SPGPrints Austria, comments: “With its single-step operation, open software platform and high-definition capability, the variLEX provides a fast, lean and flexible solution for high-end label and flexible packaging pre-press workflows.”
RSI rotary screen technology
SPGPrints’ range of retrofittable RSI (Rotary Screen Integration) units give a productive, economical means creating a host of visually striking, tactile and functional effects, of up to 300 micron thickness, in a single printing pass. Printing effects include the ‘no-label look’, metallic and opaque colours, glitters, tactile warning symbols, texture varnishes, scratch-off inks, holograms, conductive inks and Braille. Electroformed nickel RotaMesh screens offer stability at speeds in excess of 100m/min, can be re-imaged several times and have life-spans of up to 500,000 web metres. Screen widths range from 12″ to 36″ (307.7mm to 923mm).
Daily demonstrations will give visitors first-hand appreciation of SPGPrints’ total system solutions for personal care, food and industrial markets