As the manufacturer of Graphium’s Web transport and hybrid print and converting features, UK and Ireland customers will greatly benefit from Edale’s expertise and knowledge of both Graphium and the evolving UK label market. 

FFEI Ltd, the global developer of award-winning digital imaging solutions, today announces an exclusive partnership with Edale Ltd, for the sale of FFEI’s Graphium hybrid digital inkjet label press in the UK and Ireland.  

“Edale becoming our distribution partner in the UK and Ireland for Graphium was a logical next step in what has been a very successful and productive relationship to date” comments Andy Cook, FFEI Managing Director. “Not only do Edale provide the essential transport element for Graphium but they also have a tremendous reputation, in labeling and packaging converting, for product innovation, quality and customer service – key values underpinning the whole Graphium concept. I doubt there are any other companies in the UK and Ireland that can offer the label and packaging customers the knowledge, service, support and overall positive customer experience that Edale can provide.”

Cook continues, “Working with Edale has been essential to the success of the Graphium hybrid concept. They bring to Graphium all the advances that have been made in flexo in the last couple of years.  Cook went on to say “As a long-term player in the industry, Edale also share a number of qualities with FFEI.  Perhaps most important of all we are UK manufacturers who heavily invest in finding innovative solutions to the challenges faced by label convertors.”

“Developing the web transport, hybrid print and finishing technologies for Graphium over the last two years with FFEI has resulted in significant productivity advances. With our extensive product knowledge and established and loyal customer base, becoming UK and Ireland distribution is the natural progression for Edale” comments James Boughton, Edale Managing Director. 

“Edale has been involved in the design and development of web transport technology for single pass inkjet since 2002 and can observe the commercial potential that Graphium holds for the future of the packaging industry. The Graphium engine is robust, reliable and delivers exceptional print quality on a wide range of substrates and is exactly what is required to be part of a industrial print and finishing solution.”

“Closer cooperation between FFEI and Edale’s technology and engineering partners has resulted in a hybrid label and packaging solution that features the very best inkjet engine, flexographic print, automated finishing, workflow, and all this as a fully integrated package.” Boughton concludes.

A Graphium hybrid digital inkjet label press combines the efficiency of digital label production with the flexibility of flexo.  It enables each graphic element to be produced by the most efficient process, be that digital or flexo. Shorter run jobs can be printed purely digitally, maximising the efficiency and time saving qualities of digital.  For much longer run lengths efficiencies can be maintained by printing dominant colours, such as key brand colours or white, as flexo spot.

“With runs of 3-4000 meters being viable, a label converter can cover the majority of its jobs with a single hybrid press, rather than investing in a stand alone digital inkjet press that will only cover the low run work” explained Cook.  “But it’s not just about cost efficiencies.  The hybrid concept is also about enabling the production of stunning labels. A whole host of embellishments can be added to labels to really give them the wow factor and much needed shelf appeal. Customers will be able to leverage Edale’s expertise to really raise the bar.”

Whilst Edale and FFEI build each press jointly, Edale will be responsible for managing UK and Ireland sales, technical support and servicing.  Edale builds to order the conventional press frame, based around its FL-3 press, including flexo and converting units.  The Graphium digital unit is then added and the final press assembled and tested by Edale.

Graphium UV digital inks will also be sold via Edale.  Graphium uses specialist inks developed by Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems.  We continue to work very closely with Fujifilm as the inks play such an important part to the inkjet system.  Cook explained “You have to get the formulation of the ink right to ensure any labels produced are fit-for-purpose – they don’t fade, are scratch proof, heat and moisture resistant.”  

Cook continued, “Ink formulation is also key to the reliability of the system.  Fuji has worked hard to ensure their ink technology gives maximium system reliability especially in combination with, the Xaar 1002 heads we use. Having Fujifilm as a partner is instrumental in optimising the Graphium press for its exceptional levels of reliability to make it a true ‘workhorse’ production machine”. 

Graphium at Label Expo Europe 2015, Belgium

Graphium will be demonstrated on Edale stand 7D43 at this year’s Label Expo in Belgium.  It will feature two pre digital and two post digital UV flexo stations, a six colour Graphium inkjet print engine, hybrid semi and full rotary die cutting with auto die load, autoset slitting and a twin rewind.  Further details on the show configuration to follow in the coming weeks.