A Goss Vpak web offset press configured for packaging printing demonstrations and testing is the centerpiece of the company’s new Packaging Technology Center, which opened this week. 

Goss will also use the 650-square-meter (7,000-square-foot) Center at its headquarters in Durham, New Hampshire (USA) to bring converters, brand owners and suppliers together to jointly explore market requirements and new print production ideas.

Investment in the new Packaging Technology Center is a further indication of the Goss commitment to the packaging sector, according to Peter Walczak, director of product management for Goss. “Converters and brand owners are looking for lower costs, higher print quality, easier repeatability, faster turnaround times and shorter run lengths,” Walczak explains. “We have created a facility to demonstrate our Vpak web offset technology and also to generate and test new concepts for improved packaging printing.”

The initial Vpak press system in operation at the Goss Packaging Technology Center has seven web offset units as well as EB and UV curing and flexo coating capabilities. The system prints on film substrates from 9 to 75 microns thick and board substrates as thick as 100 gsm. Web widths of up to 850 mm (33.5 inches) can be accommodated, and the repeat range is from 406 – 812 mm (16 – 32 inches). 

With the opening of the Packaging Technology Center, Goss has expanded its schedule of Vpak press demonstration, testing and training sessions for customers and prospects in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Educational programs for converters and brand owners will begin later this spring. The Center is also available as a controlled site for suppliers interested in testing inks, chemicals and auxiliary technologies for web offset production.

Precision Press (USA) installed the first Vpak 500 press system for label and flexible packaging applications last year. Goss will ship a wider Vpak 3000 press for a board printing application in May.

Goss Vpak 500 and Vpak 3000 web offset press models for folding carton, flexible packaging, pre-print and label applications are available in web widths from 520 mm to 1905 mm (20.5 to 75 inches) and print at speeds of up to 457 meters (1,500 feet) per minute. Key features include quick-change sleeve adapter technology for efficient, cost-effective size changes, and advanced offset inking, tension and control systems.