Welcoming trade media representatives from across Europe to a one-day event at Mark Andy’s European showroom and technology center in Warsaw, Poland, Tom Cavalco, VP international sales, said: “The purpose is to showcase some of the latest technology we exhibited at Labelexpo Americas in September.  This allows us to bring you up to date with the company’s latest thinking on market trends and provides the opportunity to show you the fastest UV inkjet digital press in the world, the Mark Andy Digital Series HD HighSpeed 1200.”

Launched at Labelexpo Americas 2024 in Chicago, the new press, which is available in 13” and 17” web widths (330mm and 430mm), is capable of 480 fpm (146 m/min) in up to eight digital colors at 1200 dpi.  With the digital engine installed anywhere in the servo-driven flexo platform of Mark Andy’s Performance Series, it offers almost unlimited flexibility of specification both before and after the digital print section, from-roll-to-roll up to full hybrid with decorating and converting inline.

Antony Cotton, Mark Andy’s newly appointed sales manager for the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, who demonstrated the press, commented: “The DSHD HighSpeed 1200 is now the fastest UV inkjet digital label press on the market by far and comes at a fraction of the cost of its nearest competitor, moving the crossover point between flexo and digital production further up the run length scale by as much as 60%.”   In addition, it can run white or invisible security ink at this high speed and single or full colour VDP.  What this also achieves is a change in the whole ROI calculation.

The live press demo was complemented by a presentation from Lukasz Chruslinski, Mark Andy’s European sales manager, who looked at industry trends and how the company was addressing the upcoming issues with new technological developments like the DSHD HighSpeed 1200.  Highlighting a variety of situations ranging from geo-political upheaval to new packaging legislation through to the circular economy, he pointed out that changes in consumer are having a marked effect on how machine manufacturers view their R&D projects.

“For example, linerless labels, as part of the ready-made meal concept, coupled with international initiatives on a product’s lifecycle data, known as its ‘digital passport’ are just two drivers of how tomorrow’s packaging will need to be produced and accounted for, with checks at every process stage from creation to recycling.  We live and work in an environment where packaging is no longer just a decorative feature but a piece of purpose-made engineering,” he explained.

He also discussed the subject of RFID.  Not a new process, but one that has now made the transition from warehouse logistics to consumer retail outlets.  Long a leader in narrow web RFID technology, Mark Andy has continually monitored its progress and responded with updated technology.  “Greater use of automation in retailing with a reduced human input prompts a demand for real time data to reduce waste levels,” he said, highlighting leading brand owners like Decathlon, Walmart and Zara as pioneers in the use of RFID.

Wrapping up the session, Ben Richardson, product manager for Workflow and Automation at Mark Andy, explained why and how the company has extended its software program under the brand ProWORX.  Introducing several targeted software products, he explained that the suite offers real-time monitoring and analysis, a new and next generation digital front end (DFE) and products to enhance prepress efficiency and optimization.

The launch of the new high-speed hybrid press would not have been possible without such powerful new Front End software.  As well as driving static and variable print data at speeds up to 480 fpm (146 m/min) with Harlequin-powered RIP and Screening, ProWORX Digital Front End gives operators unmatched control over the hybrid line with onboard ICC Profiling and spot color refinement controls.

“By providing solutions for prepress, print control and production data collection , ProWORX offers better on-press control,  prepress automation, and productivity enhancements across the entire shop floor.  The suite works to maximize uptime and reduce manual interventions, while  supporting hybrid pre-flight operations for flexo, die cutting, and foil stamping.  Monitoring shop floor metrics using the powerful tools and dashboards within ProWORX Analytics, allows converters to see an increase in productivity and overall equipment effectiveness provided by the extended suite,” he explained.

Referring specifically to prepress and the trend of SKU proliferation, Richardson introduced a new component for ProWORX Label Suite aiming to simplify the creation of complex multi-SKU gang-run jobs and standardize the file delivery workflow.  “A high volume of stream of short-run work is a tried and tested method of achieving maximum ROI on a digital press.  ProWORX Label Suite is designed to provide easily accessible tools, to eliminate prepress bottlenecks associated with this kind of work and improve the viability of short-run, on-demand print runs,” he added.

Summing up, Lena Chmielewska-Bontron, Mark Andy’s European marketing manager said that education and engagement with all sectors of the market were a central feature in the company’s approach to sales and service, whether it be students, media partners, customer personnel, or co-suppliers.  “Knowledge is power, and we are always keen to share our expertise to help build business – that’s why our new mantra is: Your Growth is Our Growth!”