A Look at Hybrid Printing Technologies & Key Benefits

As lockdowns have caused a change in consumer purchasing habits and a rise in eCommerce, this has also had a knock-on effect on sales packaging, resulting in label converters seeking print technologies that can deliver flexibility in printing for printing packaging and labels. Not only that, they seek the ability to print short runs, produce diversified jobs, and maximise capacity on-press. These factors have resulted in a heightened demand for hybrid label printing technology.

What is Hybrid Printing?

This form of printing offers a combination of a flexo printing machine with digital technology, filling a gap by providing converters with the ability to:

• Produce the highest-quality print possible
• Benefit from printing, embellishment and cutting in a single pass
• Maximise capacity
• Reduce running & energy costs

Benefits of hybrid Printing?

With hybrid printing presenting opportunities to bridge the gap between conventional flexo & digital printing machines, this route provides many advantages including:

1. Greater flexibility – this allows converters to reduce set-up time on press and also benefit from being able to cater to a wide-range of customers from a print run.
2. Increase productivity & reduce costs – in comparison to two presses, one hybrid press allows converters to benefit from lower energy costs. These machines can also easily be integrated with your IT infrastructure to provide a seamless transition between design, layout, and print.
3. Maximise efficiency and optimise workflows – hybrid machines support changes between complex jobs with full variable data imaging facilities. With this form of printing, you can convert inline, decorate and finish a product in a single pass.
4. Adapt to future trends - hybrid printers offer the ability to adapt over time to changing application needs and new market trends.

Companies that have Launched Hybrid Presses

There is a range of leading printers that have launched hybrid presses that integrates flexo and inkjet technologies, these include:

• Bobst Digital Master 340 and 510 – with this solution Bobst is trying to solve their customers’ challenges as they try to overcome the lack of skilled workforce while moving to industrial productivity and longer run lengths with digital equipment and to bring more agility and flexibility to the production floor.
• Domino N610i
• Gallus Labelfire 340

Labels Perfectly Suited to Various Printing Technologies

At Smith & McLaurin we offer a high-quality range of digital printable label, ticket, and tag materials that have been approved by our extensive digital-ready customer base. If you’d like to learn more speak to our friendly team about our AdaptDigi range of materials by calling 01505 707700 or emailing us via info@smcl.co.uk.