The global corrugated market is estimated to be in excess of $130 billion and has been growing at ~13.4% CAGR, with flexography comprising the vast majority of the production. High graphics corrugated the boxes that have litho label/laminate or are directly printed with colorful eye-catching graphics using a single or multi-process using three or more colors. Examples would be food and beverage, household products, etc., and is estimated to be 20% to 30% of the overall corrugated volume and growing. With shorter run length opportunities driven by market shifts to online shopping, mass customization, shelf-ready packaging, etc., there is an increasing market for postprint digital corrugated production. According to a study by Karstedt Partners Benchmarking Digital Printing in Corrugated Packaging, “brands are now seeing new opportunities for the use of digital as a viable option for corrugated cartons.” While preprint solutions (print and laminate) are better designed to handle the mid to larger volumes of high graphics production, the extra handling and processes are not as nimble as postprint solutions.

As I pointed out in this article on postprint corrugated, there are currently many solutions out there, yet most have not gained significant traction in the market. While there are about half a dozen different production inkjet postprint presses out there, the current global install base is about 75, with the vast majority being from EFI and Shenzhen Hanway with the remaining balance all having low-mid single digit installs globally, according to IDC. So, if there is a need, why aren’t more of these machines installed? It could be argued that it may be too early in the product lifecycle or it could have to do with an overcapacity of preprint solution installs, but if you look at the real utilization of these already installed it may also highlight missed opportunities in their development. 

As a division of Flint, the second largest global ink supplier, and the number 2 digital label equipment manufacturer, Xeikon has good inside information on the market, consumable use, and, most importantly, the needs of corrugated converters. Flint also understands the running costs through their existing relationships with flexo corrugated converters. None of the other inkjet postprint equipment manufacturers have this intimate perspective. It is with that understanding and base of information that they decided to enter this market, according to Sebastian Stabel, Digital Solutions Marketing Segment Manager.