Flexible packaging is no different than the other packaging sectors (corrugated, labels, folding cartons) in the pressure that companies face to produce products more effectively and at a lower cost (both in monetary and human currency). Digital printing has historically been considered a niche player in packaging, relegated to special projects and e-commerce applications. With the growing maturity of digital technologies and how they are employed, brand owners and their packaging supply chain partners need to find where digital fits as a manufacturing tool offering productivity enhancements and added profits to the overall manufacturing process. This growth will also happen in the flexible packaging sector as more installations happen on a global scale.
FUJIFILM Business Innovation, recognizing the opportunity in flexible packaging, announced in June 2021 that it was entering the space by launching the Fujifilm Jet Press FP790, a water-based digital inkjet press. The company has stated that digital printing for flexible packaging is becoming increasingly necessary as it meets market and consumer requirements that can only be achieved with a high-end digital production asset. However, Fujifilm was confident that it would continue to leverage the success of hundreds of Jet Press FP790 installations throughout the world.
The main characteristics of the Fujifilm Jet Press FP790 are:
Sustainability: The company employs eco-friendly water-based primers as well as water-based inkjet technologies, which meet or exceed regulatory requirements for flexible packaging. Laminating, slitting, and bag making can be processed the same way as with existing analog printing—no additional capital investments required. Eliminating the expensive and environmentally unfriendly plate-making process allows for faster delivery times, no minimum order requirements, and late-stage differentiation.
Productivity: The maximum substrate width is 790 mm or 31 inches, and the printing line speed is 50 meters or 164 feet per minute, regardless of the number of colours. Changeover of print jobs and design adjustments can be implemented within minutes, which will contribute to the overall improvement of a factory’s production efficiency when using it with existing analog pieces.
Gamut: Using 1,200 X 1,200 dpi with CMYK coloured inks, the Jet Press FP 790 can achieve more than 90% of the PANTONE colour gamut while using two white inkjet channels to deliver high white opacity. This capability allows converters to achieve brand and spot colour matching, with no additional special inks.
Manuel Schrutt and I sat down a few weeks ago to discuss his relatively new responsibility as Head of Packaging in EMEA and Fujifilm’s exciting plans in the flexible packaging arena. The company is undoubtedly committing to developing new and innovative products and components for the digital print markets.
Hear all about FUJIFILM Business Innovation’s exciting plan to build Packaging 2.0 in the video below!
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