“Developments in label production are moving at pace with brand owners looking for converters that have the ability to deliver faster, better and at more competitive prices. In this context, the Bobst all-in-one platform is a great answer as digitally printed labels can be produced in high quality, with exceptional productivity and at lower costs, from short to long runs,” Patrick Graber, strategic marketing manager, Bobst, said.

“With the Digital Master series, we want to solve our customers’ challenges as they try to overcome the lack of skilled workforce while moving to industrial productivity and longer run lengths with digital equipment; and to bring more agility and flexibility to the production floor,” he added.

The Digital Master series will be available in 340-mm and 510-mm print widths in a new design that has been optimised for full modularity and improved operation and servicing. Like the Master DM5, it offers printing, embellishment, and cutting in a single pass, with seamless native integration between the UV inkjet digital engine and the flexo and converting modules. 

The introduction of a 510-mm version adds new opportunities to expand application versatility into larger-sized labels, industrial and chemical markets, wraparound, shrink sleeves, and other special applications. The Digital Master 510 provides higher production volume but still only needs one operator to run the press.

Running at up to 100-m/min in four or six colours plus optional digital white, the Digital Master series presses bridge the gap between traditional digital and flexo machines. The line-up stands for flexibility, fast turnaround, and inline end-to-end label production, with exceptional quality and productivity in increasing run lengths. The modular architecture allows customers to configure the exact machine they need — from a digital-only version to highly customised configuration — integrating all modules available in inline flexo. It also provides the possibility to be upgraded on-site at a later stage.

“The Digital Master series is an extremely future-proof solution because customers can adapt the machine over time to changing application needs and new market trends,” said Graber. “And when new technologies for these platforms are released, they can be retrofitted on site, adding even more value and protecting the investment.”

Flexo modules can be included for priming demanding substrates, high-ink coverage jobs for long print runs to save on digital ink, applications with high white coverage, or for printing Pantone colours. Available embellishment features include varnishing, tactile and holographic effects, cold foil glue applied, UV lamination, and security printing. For end-to-end label production, fully automated semi-rotary die-cutting or rotary die-cutting are ready for integration.