HP introduces new label press; provides several packaging press updates

The new press features Pack Ready for Labels for the production of high-resistance labels for food, household, chemical, and pharma labels.

The Indigo ElectroInk Silver delivers metallic effects across a wide colour gamut similar to Pantone 877, and ElectroInk Invisible Blue and Yellow, which are visible under UV light for brand protection and promotional labels will be available with the 6900.

It is also said to include the Gem single-pass digital embellishment unit for labels, which was announced at the previous LabelExpo Europe.

HP also added that the Production Pro digital front-end (DFE) will be part of the Indigo 6900 and available for rest of the Indigo labels and packaging presses soon.

Featuring five times faster RIP power and the Esko Color Engine, the DFE is expected to provide extensive productivity and scalability for continuous digital production.

HP also said its Drupa-announced PageWide C500 press for corrugated production will begin shipping next month to customers worldwide.

The C500 will be available with Kiwiplan, an MIS provider for corrugated and rigid packaging. This HP believes will help the presses to run at optimum capacity, while also helping them save time and costs through production and supply chain efficiency.

The press uses single-pass thermal Inkjet technology from HP and said to provide a cost-effective digital alternative for offset lamination and flexo production. It utilises CV150 water-based Inks, which contain no UV-reactive chemistries, which allows corrugated converters to print primary and secondary food-related packaging without an additional barrier and said to be in compliance with the most stringent global food safety regulations and industry guidelines.

HP also announced updates to it Indigo 3000 press with increased productivity to enable dozens of folding carton jobs per day and up to one million B2 sheets per month. Additional security features like micro-text and micro QR-codes, and new automatic mass customisation and personalisation capabilities on the wide range of media was also announced.

Finally, HP also announced the availability of Indigo Pack Ready Laminator for its 20000 flexible packaging press. The Pack Ready lamination is said to eliminate the use of adhesives and is manufactured and supplied by Karlville.