Digital printing has continued to grow to a point where the technology is now mainstream in the label and package printing industry. While hybrid technology has been around for some time, this printing method is now starting to reach higher adoption levels. With the ability to finish labels inline, converters can utilize hybrid technology for short, medium, and long runs – generating higher efficiency in their print shops.

To learn more about the growth of both digital and hybrid label printing technologies, L&NW recently sat down with Steve Lynn, Director of Labels and Packaging, Durst.

L&NW: How has digital printing evolved in recent years, and what kind of feedback did you receive at Labelexpo Americas?
SL: Labelexpo was an amazing show, and it allowed us to showcase some new exciting technology. Digital printing in Label has now gone mainstream. Given the speed, quality and cost of 1200 dpi inkjet in both standalone and hybrid configurations, converters can now produce the traditional short run and variable digital jobs that suited digital, but also run medium and long run jobs efficiently while realizing cost savings from material waste reductions, no plates, and higher efficiency.

L&NW: How has hybrid become a more relevant technology than ever before?
SL: Hybrid has been around for a while but the speed and quality were limited for some applications and true prime labels. 1200 dpi inkjet has introduced a higher level of speed and quality that twinned with hybrid flexo and finishing components, allowing a higher level of productivity than has been seen previously. While standalone digital still has a big place in the market, hybrid is now an option for converters demanding the highest quality along with the efficiency of inline finishing.

L&NW: What products has Durst recently launched for the digital and hybrid label printing markets?
SL: At Labelexpo Durst showed for the first time in North America our KJet Hybrid. It is available in 13”, 17” and 20” versions, and we showed a 17” KJet configured with three flexo stations, lamination, foil and diecutting inline. We showed embellished hybrid labels along with shrink at the show. We have taken our proven 1200 dpi inkjet engine and fully integrated flexo, finishing and diecutting. We also showed Hawk AI, an industry first system that inspects and corrects registration, density and nozzle condition at full press speed with no operator intervention using AI.

L&NW: For customers looking for automation and AI, especially when dealing with workforce challenges, how can they benefit from your products?
SL: Durst is leading the digital label market in the use of AI for print automation, allowing operators to focus on other tasks while the printer monitors and corrects quality if needed. Durst customers can expect software and hardware automation advancements from us in the future as we listen to converter needs and try to address any challenge they face.

L&NW: What can customers expect when partnering with Durst?
SL: From Durst you can expect a strong relationship with a company that will listen to your needs and work to develop solutions to help your business. We make a huge commitment to service, ensuring that we provide excellent support to ensure that you get the expected return from your investment in Durst technology. At Durst, we also take full ownership of the entire solution we provide – whether it is our inkjet engine, full suite of workflow and color management software, any integrated hybrid components, or our ink, you will have one point of contact to get any support or training needs you might have.

L&NW: What can we expect in the future for digital and hybrid printing?
SL: Digital standalone and digital hybrid printing will continue to advance and become a major part of label production. Converters look to digital and hybrid printing as a way to produce more efficiently with multiple SKU’s, on varied materials, with minimal waste and reduced consumable costs. It is an exciting time in our industry seeing the impact that digital and hybrid 1200dpi inkjet is having, and we expect it will continue for many years to come.