Graphium hybrid digital inkjet label press will be printing a range of ‘hybrid’ samples to demonstrate how Graphium’s industry-leading versatility applies the power of digital and the versatility of flexo to every label 

FFEI Ltd, the global developer of award-winning digital imaging solutions, today announced that a new configuration of the hybrid digital inkjet label press, Graphium, will be demonstrated live at Label Expo 2015 on Edale stand, 7D43. The system on show benefits from the recently announced digital label workflow and increased print speeds, which significantly increase productivity and the number of finished label jobs that can be produced in a shift. 

Demonstrating unparalleled application versatility, Graphium enables converters to target a broad number of label applications with digital. It offers convertors the ability to be both highly innovative and very efficient.  Graphium can be configured with a range of finishing technologies, designed to add value and to finish the label or packaging in a single process. Graphium’s finishing options are automated and synchronised to complement the digital workflow and to minimise set up time and waste.

On the Edale stand, Graphium will be running a wide range of label and packaging jobs, including health & beauty, beer, beverage, food, household and industrial applications, printed and converted using a variety of print processes. The demonstration will not only show the stunning quality of labels and packaging, but also how the flexibility of the Graphium hybrid system can help converters add value, create new market opportunities and improve margins. 

Andy Cook, Managing Director from FFEI explained, “The ‘real world’ examples we will be running, really show off Graphium’s hybrid capabilities and how it addresses many of the challenges that converters face.  For example a range of baby products, containing variable data is printed onto a standard flexo blue, with silver foil added for increased shelf appeal. This is achieved in a single pass – flexo is used for the ‘constant’ elements and digital for all the more variable elements.”

At the front-end will be FFEI’s Graphium Label Workflow software. The workflow brings a number of benefits to any label production environment.  As a fully automated pre-press system, just a minimal manual intervention is required to transform complex digital files into finished fit-for-purpose labels.  It essentially automates the management of the physical aspects, such as dies and plates and the digital aspects of the job. In doing so it ensures converting production waste and pre-press production touch points are kept to a minimum, whilst at the same time improving accuracy and repeatability.  

The Graphium being demonstrated will include two pre-digital flexo stations, a 6 colour inkjet digital system, two post digital flexo stations with foiling and Edale’s new hybrid semi/full rotary die cutting system. 

The new semi rotary die station offers quick set up, automatic synchronisation and low tooling cost for short run jobs as well as the ability to convert at high speed for long run jobs. An automatic die load and unload system dramatically reduces the time to load dies, deskills, and creates a safer working environment. 

Both the back slitting and sheer slitting systems can be automatically set either by the operator or by the workflow, again significantly eliminating waste and time on the transition from one job to the next. A twin rewind system with roll followers compliments by enabling labels and packaging to be finished in a single pass.

Graphium gives converters the ability to profit by offering their customers reduced time to market, smaller batch sizes, increased SKU’s and added value that only digital can deliver. Hybrid technology adds the ability to effectively eliminate crossover points, allowing the mix of flexo and digital to change as run lengths increase.  It also increases diversity by broadening the applications for digital print and creates entirely new business opportunities in markets yet to adopt digital print.

Andy Cook comments “This year we’re really bringing digital inkjet hybrid printing to life by showcasing the latest state of the art Graphium system. We’ll be running some very practical examples that combine the best of flexo and digital into efficiently converted premium labels – live at the show. Graphium is a true production system producing ready to use finished product and that’s what we’ll be presenting during the show.”  Cook goes on to say, “We’ve enjoyed a very successful partnership with Edale over the past few years, so we decided to join forces at Label Expo and present the best of both companies with the latest Graphium system.”   

“We’re proud to be at Label Expo this year showcasing a full hybrid flexo press integrated with digital capability,” said James Boughton, Managing Director.  Boughton continued, “Besides demonstrating the integrated digital component we’re keen to show the flexibility of the hybrid capability allowing stunning print jobs to create shelf appeal and wow factor for customers”.