Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gallus brought its event to the label and packaging industry. Live from its Print Media Center in St. Gallen, Switzerland, industry experts helped deliver Gallus High Performance Day 2021, with a theme of “Maximizing your productivity.”

Over the course of two days during the March 3-4 event, Gallus welcomed more than 1,500 registrants to witness and engage in discussions on the company’s diverse portfolio, ranging from the Labelmaster to the Labelfire. The presenters were also available to take questions during a live Q+A session.

The live demonstration of the Labelfire featured digital embellishment and low migration capabilities. The Labelfire has proven successful at printing low-migrations jobs for critical sectors like food and pharmaceuticals.

The job included a digitally printed, highly embellished label with metallic effects. These were applied digitally with the Digital Embellishment Unit (DEU). Regarding conventional narrow web printing, the Gallus Labelmaster was demonstrated along with the Gallus RCS 430. Participants of the virtual event could observe the production of a shampoo label on clear PP material on the Gallus Labelmaster with integrated Digital Printbar “White Edition.” With this digital module it is possible to print digital an opaque white or to integrate language changes on different spots of a label.

Embellishments were also of great importance on Gallus’ conventional printing units. “Both presses are equipped with features for embellishment at its best,” said Frank Schaum, head of Gallus’ label division. “We are delighted and highly motivated to help you shape your future successfully.”

The breakout sessions included an in-depth look at low migration and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) processes, the benefits of Screeny for narrow- and mid-web printers, and a look at the best inkjet substrates with the help of Avery Dennison. Martin Leonhard explained what to consider if printing labels digitally with low migration inks, Oliver Vetter talked about the advantages of rotative screen printing, and Avery Dennison’s Vladimir Tyulpin, global segment manager, digital printing, gave insights about the substrate selection for hybrid UV inkjet and flexography.

“My role is to make sure we have a variety of materials for digital and hybrid printing technologies, allowing printers to achieve great image quality and ink anchorage,” said Tyulpin. “Factors that vary from one technology to another include temperature, speed, ink chemistry, ink transfer system, to name a few.”

Avery Dennison has optimized topcoats and surface treatment to be compatible with the Gallus Labelfire.

“The majority of UV flexo designed topcoats are compatible with UV inkjet,” added Tyulpin.

Uwe Alexander, meanwhile, explained how customers can benefit from a partnership with Gallus. While print performance is key, having a positive cost of ownership is another critical factor to consider when investing in a label printing press.

“Technology is one side of the coin while TCO (total cost of ownership) is the other side,” noted Alexander. “Our goal is to offer attractive production costs to our customers. This includes setup time, waste, manpower, and OEE, all of which are used to calculate the TCO. We can then identify your break-even point based on the number of labels required for specific jobs and run lengths.”

Alexander also delivered an in-depth look into Gallus’ software and automated capabilities. His goal was to highlight the entire workflow using the Prinect DFE, which accounts for data prep, job management, ink circulation and more.

“You receive a complex software package with Gallus that enables you to print high-quality labels,” said Alexander. “The Labelfire also offers the option for VDP, where each label is different – color, text, etc. This file will be automatically be checked for printability. The job is then sent to Labelfire, where it prints at 70 m/m without interruption. The whole process can be automated, from receiving the job to printing.”

German printer Birkhauser, which has invested in two Labelfire presses, explained how the hybrid unit has helped the converter with short-run jobs.

“We have a full range of functionalities available in our hybrid solution,” said Thomas Schweizer, head of product management, Gallus. “With a lot of experience with our customers, we have optimized our total cost of ownership – which contributes to your success in the market.”