Two V12 digital presses can replace six flexo presses

Noel D’Cunha (ND): What are you highlighting at Labelexpo 2023?
A Appadurai: At Labelexpo 2023, we will demonstrate our strong commitment to the market we serve with the introduction for the first time in Europe of the industry-altering LEPx-based HP Indigo V12 and HP Indigo 200K digital presses. These solutions present a complete portfolio allowing converters to shift the great majority of their label jobs to the HP Indigo 6K, HP Indigo V12, or HP Indigo 200K digital presses with outstanding efficiency, leading to substantial business growth. 

ND: Tell us about the HP Indigo V12. 
AA: The HP Indigo V12 digital press, currently ending a successful beta phase, is now available for early release. We believe two V12 digital presses can replace six flexo presses and completely transform our business. Converting more pages to digital, the HP Indigo V12 brings the agility of digital printing to high-volume label jobs currently printed conventionally and meets brand demands for more personalisation, fast change of art, lower waste, less inventory, and on-demand delivery.  

ND: So, you are suggesting HP Indigo as an alternative to flexo?
AA: According to our internal analysis, HP Indigo holds 65% of the worldwide digital label and packaging market value, and more than 2,600 active presses in the field, enabling converters to become future-ready for the ever-changing market needs. Traditionally, flexo had been the label industry’s default printing equipment, with digital focus on high-value jobs. But with Indigo’s new press portfolio, and especially with the HP Indigo V12 digital press, converters can shift to an Indigo-first mindset, leading to optimal efficiency, sustainability, and ROI across a versatile portfolio of print jobs. Now it’s Indigo first, flexo second. 

ND: Tell us about the beta testing of the machine.
AA: The HP Indigo V12 digital press is successfully completing beta sites around the world. It reaches unprecedented productivity with the renowned HP Indigo print quality. ABG’s nonstop winding solution, specifically developed to run with the HP Indigo V12 digital press, can be added for even greater productivity. One of our beta customers said, “The HP Indigo V12 is a game changer. Now we have speed, quality and versatility, which is closing the gap with conventional printing.”

Team HP with 200K

ND: Meanwhile, the HP Indigo 200K digital press is now commercially available. Who are your target customers?
AA: The only field-proven mid-web solution for flexible packaging print, the HP Indigo 200K digital press is designed for seasoned industry players, or for label converters who wish to diversify their business to include FP, increase their label productivity or print wider format labels and shrink sleeves. 

ND: What’s new with the press?
AA: The HP Indigo 200K digital press drives on-demand delivery with no minimum orders, and enables spectacular variable designs, and minimal waste vs conventional printing processes. It is the heart of the Digital Pouch Factory, which offers a complete lamination, slitting, and pouch-making production line along with HP Indigo partners. 

ND: How does HP Indigo help achieve brand sustainability? 
AA: Printing live at the booth, HP Indigo and partners are demonstrating how to help meet brand sustainability expectations by printing on a full range of HP-recommended sustainable media, including compostable, recycled and FSC-certified paper, as well as a recyclable paper pouch. The circular economy approach will be demonstrated at our dedicated sustainability station.

It will feature daily Happy Hour events with Tony Beer wash-off labels, which allow easy and complete label removal for smooth recycling, showcased in collaboration with Etivoet of Belgium; and Pouch to Pouch creation – recycling a used pouch into a new one. HP Indigo will also demonstrate a newly designed Carbon Footprint Calculator, which helps converters and brands assess a printed job's carbon footprint.