Mark Andy has been investing significantly in R&D, developing solutions to meet the needs of both flexographic and digital printers. At Labelexpo Americas, Mark Andy unveiled the P Series S9, which has been engineered for both the label and flexible packaging markets. To learn more about the press and Mark Andy’s offerings for the growing shrink sleeve market, L&NW sat down with Ben Luly, product manager at Mark Andy.

L&NW: What trends are you seeing in the shrink sleeve market right now?
BL: We’re seeing significant growth in demand for shrink sleeves, especially as converters look for versatile solutions in labeling, flexible packaging, and light carton production. With the mid-web space continuing to grow, companies need efficient, user-friendly systems that balance high productivity with operator ergonomics. Customers are also pushing for more automation and better energy efficiency to meet sustainability goals.

L&NW: How has Mark Andy responded to these growing trends?
BL: Mark Andy listened to customer feedback and launched the Performance Series S9 flexo press at the recent Labelexpo Americas. It’s aimed specifically at the mid-web sector for labels, flexible packaging, and light cartons, and it’s ideally suited for shrink sleeve production. The S9 offers a unique sleeved tooling design, which many converters prefer over traditional bearer tool designs. This provides faster and easier changeovers, especially in 22” and 26” web widths (560mm and 660mm), and it can run at speeds up to 1,000 fpm (305 m/m).

L&NW: What makes the S9 press unique compared to other flexo presses?
BL: One of the key features of the S9 is its sleeved tooling, which not only simplifies changeovers but also improves operator ergonomics. The print station has an upward web path that allows for almost unlimited drying and curing configurations, enabling converters to tailor production to their specific needs. Additionally, the S9 is servo-driven, speeding up job changes. It’s designed to work seamlessly with solvent-based inks commonly used in flexible packaging, and it also offers space- and energy-efficient drying options for those using water-based inks.

L&NW: Can you elaborate on the drying technology on the S9 press?
BL: The S9 press is equipped with state-of-the-art drying technology designed for efficiency and performance. The system is modular and individually controlled, allowing operators to adjust recirculation rates from 50% to 90%, depending on the job’s requirements. Each station offers independent temperature control, and with single or dual zone systems you can operate only what’s necessary to minimize energy usage. The web handling features have been engineered to ensure high performance without damaging the material, and the dryer itself is compact to conserve floor space without compromising effectiveness. The result is a drying system that is customizable per application, including solvent safe, that supports both short and long run lengths.

L&NW: Can you share more on the S9’s energy-saving features?
BL: The S9 includes a unique dryer design that gives operators the ability to adjust the recirculation percentage up to 90%, along with control over air flow and temperature. This level of control reduces energy consumption by allowing the system to only use energy when it’s needed. The result is two-fold: converters save on energy costs, and they reduce their environmental impact.

L&NW: What kind of automation is built into the S9?
BL: Automation is a big part of the S9’s design. The press can save job profiles and automate the registration setup, which helps reduce waste. It also features a proprietary camera system that automatically handles color-to-color registration, both linearly and laterally. This system maintains registration even at high speeds, ensuring accuracy throughout the production process.

L&NW: What additional features can converters expect from the S9?
BL: The S9 is highly customizable to meet the needs of converters. It can be equipped with extra embellishments like cold foil lamination or rotary screen units for high-build white. Additionally, it can be retrofitted with a digital print bar for versioning, allowing converters to add QR codes, barcodes, or other traceability features. These options can either be fixed in place or mounted on an overhead rail for greater flexibility.

L&NW: How does the S9 support data acquisition and analytics for converters?
BL: Recognizing the growing need for connectivity, the S9 offers Mark Andy’s ProWORX Analytics. This tool provides valuable data on usage, waste, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and downtime. It’s a powerful feature that helps converters monitor their operations, identify inefficiencies, and improve productivity.

L&NW: In summary, what does the S9 bring to the shrink sleeve market?
BL: The Mark Andy S9 has been designed with converter feedback in mind and responds directly to the growing demand for shrink sleeves. It’s a highly automated, user-friendly press that offers flexibility and advanced features to improve productivity. With labor shortages and market demands on the rise, the timing of this press launch couldn’t be better. It’s a versatile tool that meets the needs of the modern converting industry.