With 2024 coming to a close, L&NW’s final issue of the year allows us to reflect on the industry’s latest trends – many of which were on full display at Labelexpo Americas. Sustainability, automation, data connectivity are a few of the myriad topics that continue to intrigue converters. Digital printing, of course, remains one of the most vital topics, as brands seek greater customization, short-run capabilities, and variable data printing, among others.

While many label printers are perusing the digital press market, they are increasingly finding hybrid as the perfect option to fit their needs. Hybrid presses offer single-pass production capabilities that utilize the benefits of digital printing while also incorporating the flexibility of a conventional flexo press. As the November/December issue provides our annual deep dive into digital printing, it’s important to recognize that many digital equipment manufacturers have joined forces with flexo press suppliers to combine the best of both worlds.

For example, Domino’s digital inkjet technology has been married with numerous flexo manufacturers’ technology.  These partnerships are with Mark Andy, MPS, Nilpeter, to name a few. In fact, International Label & Printing, an Illinois-based converter relying on a Domino-Nilpeter hybrid, was recently honored with a Best in Class Award at TLMI’s Annual Printing Excellence Awards. Meanwhile, Amherst Label, an Inovar Company, also notched a Best in Class distinction, and the New Hampshire-based converter utilizes two Domino-MPS hybrid presses.

Durst, another leading digital press manufacturer, has also embraced hybrid technology. Durst has historically partnered with fellow Italian company Omet, and its solutions continue to evolve. Acknowledging swift development in digital and hybrid printing, Durst notes the many advantages the technology offers, as well as the rapid pace of change.

“For anyone who invested in digital some time ago and feels they understand digital, please look at the latest technology available and put it to the test,” states Steve Lynn, director of Labels and Packaging, Durst.

The same goes for hybrid printing, as manufacturers’ newest solutions have rectified many of the early issues that were present at launch. “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,” says Lynn.

As brands become more demanding with lead times and order quantities, converters will continue to invest in digital printing. They would be well served to investigate the latest in hybrid technology, too.

Greg Hrinya, Editor
[email protected]