Offset Printing

Mark Andy bids farewell to Brussels with a bumper Labelexpo

Monday 18. December 2023 - Mark Andy also noticed a huge interest in the companys software solutions: sMArt link on-press monitoring system and ProWORX Label Suite imposition tool. Mark Andy welcomed over 800 visitors in four days from 84 countries around the world.

Premiere solutions, new sales contracts and huge international audience
Following a four-year gap, Mark Andy reported a highly successful Labelexpo Europe, which was held in Brussels for the last time before moving to Barcelona in 2025. The company showed three presses during live demos, including a global premiere – new flexo Pro Series as well as two hybrids: inkjet-based Digital Series HD (equipped with Kurz Distorun cold foiling unit and Lemu turret rewinder) and toner-based Digital Pro MAX.
Mark Andy also noticed a huge interest in the company’s software solutions: sMArt link on-press monitoring system and ProWORX Label Suite imposition tool. Mark Andy welcomed over 800 visitors in four days from 84 countries around the world, which – as the company states – is an excellent result and a great indication of the value of Labelexpo to our industry. In total, 10 new press sales were signed during the show, including a new Pro Series model.
Speaking for the company, Executive VP in charge of international sales Tom Cavalco stated: “The high international attendance at Labelexpo Europe confirmed a growing narrow-web label market, full of opportunity. Outside of the large attendance expected from Europe, we were thrilled to welcome guests from Latin America, India, Far East and Australasia. The quality of conversations was excellent too, keeping both our staff and our team of global distributors busy throughout the show and resulting in multiple orders from across the globe.”
Lena Chmielewska-Bontron, European Marketing Manager adds: “Live demos were a big draw on the stand. Guests showed keen interest in both the technical side of the presses as well as the efficiency benefits they would bring to their business, namely the quick changeovers with no loss of quality. Having both hardware and software solutions on display reinforced our commitment to being a Total Solutions Partner. We also used this as an opportunity to demonstrate our pledge to environmental responsibility; waste reduction, energy efficiency and low carbon footprint of our presses, the use of compostable cups and plates, plus the stand banners which doubled as covers for transport back to the Poland showroom.”
A global premiere of Pro Series flexo platform
The Pro Series, making its global debut at Labelexpo, ran a Mark Andy Legends label at 150m/min. This new platform of fully servo driven presses delivers modern technology at a competitive price. Pro Series is a compact-size, comprehensive, highly efficient and flexible solution devoted to self-adhesive labels. Its upgradable design allows converters to expand their flexo capabilities or easily transition into digital with the option of adding a toner-based engine.
Growing interest in hybrids
The Digital Series HD printed and converted wine and beer labels as well as shrink sleeves at 73m/min using its full inkjet CMYKOV and UV flexo white capability. The configuration included a Kurz Distorun cold foiling unit and Lemu automatic turret rewinder.
The Digital Pro MAX, the third generation of Mark Andy’s highly successful toner/hybrid range, is faster, has lower cost-to-print, includes toner white, and can be available in configurations from roll-to-roll up to full hybrid. A variety of jobs were printed 1200 x 1200dpi at 40m/min for products including beer and vitamins. Our presses used Raflatac stocks with Kurz cold foil, Wink dies, and Rotometal tooling.
Exclusive software solutions from Mark Andy
With many label and narrow web converters finding it increasingly difficult to recruit high quality production personnel, the need for automation and simplification of workflow processes is growing in demand. Mark Andy’s response is sMArt link, a cloud-based, on-press monitoring system which gives operation managers a real-time look at production data. Lena Chmielewska-Bontron added: “Operation managers are able to make immediate adjustments to reduce waste and errors and generate time and cost savings. The solution is also extremely versatile, integrating with new and existing Mark Andy presses, as well as other makes and models.”
Mark Andy ProWORX Label Suite, an exclusive imposition tool, also premiered at the show. This new software streamlines and automates label production setup, including inline printing and embellishment processes. ProWORX Label Suite is an Adobe Creative Cloud extension tailored to Mark Andy’s hybrid presses.
Total Solutions Partner
With its declared aim of being a ‘total solutions partner’, Mark Andy engaged closely with co-suppliers on the stand in Brussels. Kurz, GEW, and Lemu technology were all in action on the live demonstrations while Cheshire Anilox, tesa, and Nazdar products all featured heavily in the Mark Andy Print Products (MAPP) showcase area of the stand.
The MAPP team also demonstrated a new tabletop style HD Video Plate Mounter (VPM), along with information on the thousands of pressroom supplies and consumables available at competitive pricing and with quick delivery to customers around the world. According to Dave Telken, VP of Mark Andy Print Products, “It is essential to work closely with co-suppliers to ensure customers secure maximum benefit from their investments. Our global team of product advisors works hard to stay up-to-date on the latest product offerings and share that knowledge, and cost savings, with our customers.”
Cavalco concluded by saying, “We warmly thank everyone who visited our booth during this very successful Labelexpo Europe. See you in Barcelona in 2025!”