Labelexpo 2024: Farb Technologies unveils Hybrid Packz and Cloudflow

These innovative solutions are engineered to alleviate pre-press bottlenecks and optimise workflow, particularly benefitting printing firms operating under resource constraints.

Hybrid Packz functions as a specialised PDF editor tailored specifically for the packaging and label printing industry, facilitating the efficient creation of printready files. It streamlines artwork preparation and enables swift modifications, thereby mitigating delays and bolstering print output.

Cloudflow automates the flow of pre-press files, substantially reducing manual interventions from file submission through to production. This solution diminishes human error, accelerates workflows, and guarantees file accuracy. It is particularly advantageous for organisations with small pre-press teams, presenting a cost-effective, automated alternative to elaborate manual processes.

“These offerings directly address challenges that Indian label printers encounter, such as prolonged plate approval times and workflow inefficiencies, with the goal of enhancing productivity and curbing operational costs,” said Das Damodaran, business director at Farb Technologies.

Emphasising the importance of these solutions, Damodaran added, “With Hybrid Packz and Cloudflow, we are tackling two of the most pressing issues facing the label printing industry today: extended lead times and inefficient workflows. These solutions are meticulously designed to meet the specific needs of Indian enterprises, particularly those with limited pre-press capabilities. We are enthusiastic about empowering label printers to remain competitive within a rapidly evolving marketplace.”

The introduction of these products promises to assist printers in avoiding delays, improving workflow efficiency, and ensuring consistent quality—all while optimising time and minimising costs.

On the use of AI, Bert Van der Perre, chief commercial officer, Hybrid Software, said, “We don't do anything in particular yet with colour management, but we use artificial intelligence (AI) to drive the designs. We have one big project on with Diageo, Project Halo.

How do Hybrid Software help streamline workflow? Van der Perre said it can automatically check the design, and make the adjustments on the design to ensure that it is printed with the right codes, bar codes, and trapping. “Of course, approvals are also an important part of the process for which we can deliver solutions. Before running millions of copies on the press, we ask the customer if they are okay with the design using automation. We also drive digital machines and driving finishing equipment,” he explained.

Van der Perre said the machines are getting smarter. “Today, many machine operators are setting up the machines. If you can reduce that work, you would really drive your efficiency on the shop floor. Make sure you can integrate the machine's automation with the information in the system.”

He added, “We are working with packaging and label converters, but we also have an OEM part. These people also deliver the DFC to the digital press manufacturer to ensure that the press can run faster and deliver better quality. We can integrate these two business units. We have dedicated solutions for flexo, and have special screen technology which can improve the quality and stability of flexo. We also have flexo plate merging. Today, when you have bigger jobs and you have bigger images, you have to have an automatic process to make sure that the plates are merged on one bigger plate, ensuring minimum waste. These are things we have developed based on customer feedback.”

The company also has solutions for anti-counterfeiting. “For instance, a customer had asked us to make something special for barcodes; we had elements implemented to make sure we could verify if that was real,” Van der Perre said.

He was positive about his experience at Labelexpo India. “What is remarkable is we are seeing more and more printers installing pre-press in-house, which is good for our business. What we're seeing in Europe is that all printers have their pre-press in-house, because there we have more digital equipment. And if you don't need the plates, then you can run your machine much easier if you do pre-press in-house,” he said.

He added, “I am happy to be here and learn more about the Indian market, and I trust that we can grow with this partnership with Farb Technologies.”

This is the first time that Farb Technologies has attended the Labelexpo show.  

“This show was always a printer's show. In India, printers and pre-press have always been two different families, and they never marry each other. This year, we are seeing printers investing in pre-press, which is why we wanted to be a part of Labelexpo. In India, the ratio will be a hundred printers to five trade houses. Now, that is changing,” Damodaran said.

In the market for the past 15 years, Farb Technologies has around 520 installations.