Fujifilm has continued to engineer a host of innovative labeling solutions for the analog and digital markets. As converters seek ways to meet surging demand for labels and packaging, Fujifilm has invested in R&D to meet their customers’ needs.

To better illustrate Fujifilm’s capabilities, the company’s experts are on-hand at Label Congress, which opened on September 29, to discuss these new technologies. The event is taking place in Rosemont, IL, USA, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Fujifilm has further boosted its presence in the label and flexible packaging markets with two new digital inkjet presses. The new Fujifilm J Press FP790, which is a digital inkjet water-based press, is 30” wide and will print at speeds of 164 fpm. This press will has been optimized for the flexible packaging market.

“With its four-color and two white channels capabilities, it will allow flexible packaging converters to offer a new innovative solution to their brand customers, as well as support more efficiently the industry’s move toward more short-to-medium size runs than present flexo and gravure print processes,” explains Gregory Pas, marketing director for North America, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division.

Meanwhile, the new Fujifilm Inkjet Label Press LP350 is 13.8” wide and runs at 164 fpm. The press can print up to six colors inline and also has double white channels for the highest white opacity for label converters looking to move into production digital print. The press has been designed to print high quality on the widest variety of media substrates used in the prime label markets, including shrink film.  

During Label Congress, Fujifilm is also highlighting a new water-wash processor and new solvent ink compatible Flenex water-wash plate. “These are complementary to our existing line of water-wash processors and Flenex plates,” notes Pas. “They are designed to provide greater productivity due to the size, ability to make plates for solvent-based ink, and for those converters looking for an eco-friendly, sustainable platemaking solution.”

From a flexo ink and curing perspective, Fujifilm is focused on UV LED hybrid inks for the label market, along with the Illumina LED curing system. “We are continuing to expand the UV LED hybrid ink portfolio with additional adhesives, coatings and special effect products,” states Pas. “These allow converters to further differentiate and add value to their customers while realizing the tremendous advantages of LED printing. The Illumina LED system provides the lowest energy consumption and least carbon emissions of any solution on the market by a huge margin. This allows converters to share the sustainability message with their customers that are continually looking for more sustainable solutions.”

Although Fujifilm has been supporting the label and package printing market for many years with conventional inks, plates, and processors, the Fujifilm Inkjet Label Press LP350 will significantly boost Fujifilm’s product portfolio to fuel growth in the space. The flexible packaging market has also been identified by Fujifilm as a core growth segment for both analog and digital products, and will look to quickly build this business in 2022.  

“For the last several years, Fujifilm has had a dedicated focus on being seen and known as the industry’s go-to full solution provider for the label and packaging printing segment, including analog and digital products,” concludes Pas. “This includes inks, flexo processors and plates, LED curing systems, imprint bars, flexo and digital presses, in addition to color management software. Fujifilm pays very close attention to the printing industry and invests a lot of money in R&D to consistently develop and deliver solutions that PSPs are in need of. Fujifilm will continue to be proactive in boosting our brand awareness to help the industry know and trust that Fujifilm has the most up-to-date products necessary to help improve and grow the PSP’s operations.”