Digital printing was once again a hot topic at Labelexpo Americas. From September 10-12, 2024, attendees sought out the latest product innovations to meet their requirements for short-run and customizable label work. However, digital is becoming increasingly faster, making longer runs more economical and efficient.

During the event, L&NW sat down with Noam Zilberstein, vice president and general manager, HP Indigo, to discuss all things digital.

L&NW How was Labelexpo Americas for HP, and what were attendees most interest in learning about?
NZ: With over 400 exhibitors, Labelexpo Americas highlighted the latest technological advancements across the labels industry, including flexible packaging, RFID, sustainability and automation. As HP, we were able to showcase a wide range of our latest technology and industry leading advancements in the labels and flexible packaging space.

Converters are constantly seeking solutions and presses that enhance efficiencies and enable high-speed automated production lines. The converters we met are eager to learn how they can address challenges such as labor shortages, waste reduction, on-demand delivery, and personalization through HP Indigo’s end-to-end portfolio of presses, software, robotics, and converting solutions.

It was evident that attendees were most interested in learning about the HP Indigo V12, 200K, 6K, and intelligent automation. We demonstrated how our customers are leveraging the latest HP Indigo technology to drive profitable growth in their labels and packaging businesses. The HP Indigo 200K, equipped with the add-on slitter and full Digital Pouch Factory, showcased how converters can seamlessly print and convert pressure sensitive labels, flexible packaging, and shrink sleeves using a single 200K press in one shift.

L&NW: How has digital label printing evolved in recent years, and how has HP been a significant driver of that growth?
NZ: Consumer and brand preferences are evolving, with an increasing demand for a sustainable and agile supply chain. The number of SKUs continues to grow, and digital label printing is enabling converters to meet the needs of brands and consumers while driving profitable business growth.

With the HP Indigo V12, we demonstrated how converters can print higher volumes at a lower cost, reducing labor hours, waste and tooling. Additionally, with the HP Indigo V12, converters can grow their top line and recognize the value of digital print by delivering jobs that could have previously been printed by flexo press.  

The HP Indigo 200K marks the evolution of digital label printing with advancements in technology and sustainability. By showcasing our broadest portfolio – including the HP Indigo V12 present at Nosco’s site, and the HP Indigo 200K and 6K at Labelexpo Americas – we highlighted HP’s leadership role in digitizing the flexible packaging market, a market traditionally dominated by volume production using conventional printing methods.

With the HP Indigo 25K and 200K presses, our customers have created the fastest growing segment in print: digital flexible packaging. The label and packaging market can now meet the demand for personalized packaging with a lower environmental impact while optimizing brand owner supply chains. With HP Indigo’s press portfolio, converters can adopt an “HP Indigo first” mindset, driving optimal efficiency, sustainability, and ROI across a diverse variety of print jobs.

L&NW: How can HP’s newest presses help converters be more efficient and expand into new markets?
NZ: We believe that digitally printed flexible labels and packaging will open new doors for converters. By adopting an “HP Indigo First” mindset, label converters can efficiently meet the demands of brands, reduce costs, expand capabilities and open new revenue streams.

For example, the HP Indigo 200K delivers high productivity label printing and diversification to flexible packaging. The new game-changing add-on slitter allows converters to seamlessly use their HP Indigo 200K press to print pressure sensitive labels, flexible packaging, and shrink sleeves, slit on-press and then convert the slitted roll on narrow web devices. The HP Indigo 200K has already over 40 installations worldwide, allowing label and flexible packaging converters to tap into the fastest growing segment in print, digitally printed flexible packaging, using the only field-proven technology in the market.

Elsewhere, the HP Indigo V12 is the first press to utilize the new industry altering LEPx technology, allowing converters to elevate their operations with breakthrough efficiencies, in a cost effective and sustainable way. The HP Indigo V12 digital press brings the agility of digital printing to high-volume label jobs currently printed conventionally and meets the demand for personalization, reduced waste and on-demand delivery.

One of our customers Jeff Koch, chief executive officer at American Packaging Corporation, recently installed two HP Indigo 200K digital presses, and said, “We believe that digital printing will help us serve our existing customer base, and also open new doors and create exciting conversations with potential new customers. We view digital printing as the future of flexible packaging, as well as the future of American Packaging.”

This is testament to the fact that HP Indigo’s newest presses and label innovations help converters be more efficient and, in turn, expand into new markets.