Historically, label converters have combined multiple print technologies in one job to achieve certain performance, aesthetic effects or embellishments common mostly in wine, spirits and personal care labels. The process of printing digitally and then adding varnishes, foil and other embellishments with an analog device is a good fit for short runs. However, converters need a more efficient solution to fully leverage the increase in digital printing capacity. At drupa 2016, HP is changing the rules of digital label printing again, demonstrating its vision for a fully integrated, single-pass digital combination print process for the labels market.

Bringing digital printing advantages to embellishment printing, the technology will be shown as part of an HP Indigo WS6800 Digital Press, demonstrating a simple, efficient all-digital solution for high-value label production. With the solution, customers will be able to print spot and tactile varnishes, cold foil, embossing and other effects as well as variable embellishments powered by HP SmartStream Mosaic in one end-to-end digital combination printing process. The solution will enable label converters to help brands enhance their products' shelf appeal, increase their agility and reduce time to market, while removing existing production bottlenecks.

The technology demonstration will feature seamless integration to the HP Indigo WS6800 Digital Press's digital front end, providing a single point of control for all functions, leveraging a single print file for all images and embellishments in a job and increasing workflow automation.

"Embellishments are an effective way for brands to increase their products' shelf appeal, but the current analog production methods are complex, inefficient and expensive," said Alon Bar-Shany, general manager, Indigo division, HP. "HP Indigo digital combination printing digitalizes one of the remaining conventional production bottlenecks and will allow our customers to produce highly-decorated labels in a simple, efficient and fully automated process, without plates, tooling or mechanical pre-press, bringing the digital revolution to new areas of the label market."

The solution will target all levels of production capacity at up to 40 meters per minute with the HP Indigo WS6800 Digital Press and up to 80 meters per minute with the HP Indigo 8000 Digital Press and offer the same application versatility as the press in use.

drupa 2016 attendees can see HP Indigo digital combination printing technology in Hall 17, May 31 – June 10.