Printbar Uncovered delivers added value through new High Laydown capability
“Printbar Uncovered utilises Xaar’s latest ‘High Laydown’ technology to enable a range of stunning haptic effects to be applied to labels and packaging”
20th September 2017 FFEI Ltd, the global developer of award-winning digital imaging solutions, today announced that Printbar Uncovered now supports Xaar’s latest High Laydown (HL) technology, enabling the printing of a range of haptic effects on labels and packaging in a single pass.
Andy Cook, Managing Director explains “Haptic effects are eye catching, textured embellishments that are applied for both functional and decorative purposes – from a bottle that’s easy to grip in the shower to an eye catching foil effect.” Cook continues, “Shelf appeal and customer engagement are becoming increasingly important. With Printbar Uncovered OEMs can deliver a cost effective way for label converters to ensure their label products will stand out. All achievable in a single pass when mounted on a standard flexo, digital or hybrid press.”
Printbar Uncovered can print unusually high fluid layer thicknesses in excess of 100 microns, with ink film height controlled by grayscale of the input image. The HL technology can be used to create rich textures – emulating expensive substrates, enhancing beautiful designs or providing grip – which interact with light in ways that are often underutilised in packaging design.
HL technology can be combined with flood coat matt varnish for emulating micro embossing techniques used in paper manufacture or digitally applied embossing effects to text or image details. When combined with a lamination/foil bar, the unit enables extreme foil effects to be produced for added impact.. Of particular interest is the use of HL in the production of highly tactile, haptic ‘warning’ symbols, such as warning triangles, without the need for a specialist process.
Andy Cook commented, “Printbar Uncovered enables OEMs to deliver their own unique digital hybrid print solution to the labels and packaging market. The digital varnish and foiling capability coupled with variable data printing enables label converters to respond to the demands of brands – personalisation, mass customisation and enhanced shelf appeal.” Cook continued, “The addition of high laydown technology further extends the opportunity for label converters to deliver unique, high-value labels and packaging at a premium.”
Printbar Uncovered brings together proven market ready inkjet printbar technology, powered by Xaar, and FFEI’s inkjet integration expertise. OEM clients are therefore able to customize and bring to market an inkjet printbar solution that meets the requirements of customers, under their own brand. Ultimately Printbar Uncovered enables OEMs to deliver high profit margins on short run jobs through a range of value added embellishments including – spot varnish, cold foiling, rotary screen white replacement, variable data labels and haptic (high-build and texture) effects.
‘Out-of-the-box’ Printbar Uncovered technology can handle a wide range of inks and fluids, including spot colours (K or CMY), protective lacquers, high-build spot and tactile varnish, heavily pigmented high-opacity over- and under- whites and cold foil adhesives. Print widths of 140 mm to 560 mm are supported with print speeds of up to 75 m/min achievable (depending on the application).
Printbar Uncovered will be showcased at Labelexpo Europe in the digital print hall – stand 9C18.
To book a discovery session at Labelexpo, please get in touch
