Like all types of packaging, customers for flexible packaging are seeking shorter runs, just-in-time production and mass customization—essentially what digital printing is offering. Although flexible packaging is a huge market, the challenges are large. UV inks are undesirable for food packaging, a major area for flexible packaging. Print with water-based inks on plastics is challenging and needs adapted pre-treatment and drying. Additionally, the subsequent finishing steps like laminating and pouch-making need to work seamlessly. Finally, offering white is important, while a large gamut can be desirable as well.

The leading digital print technology today is electrophotography. A small number of models are available so far and they have had good success in the market, although the vast majority of volumes are still printed with analog processes as they are a lot more productive.

Inkjet promises to change this by bringing high-speed digital solutions to converters. Several inkjet presses have been announced in recent years, all based on aqueous inkjet, but commercialization has been slow. Achieving high-volume production capabilities for demanding customers proved to be challenging and vendors took time to hone the presses until making them available.