Swavesey, Cambridgeshire, UK – Industrial Inkjet Ltd (IIJ) will be highlighting advanced technology at Labelexpo Americas 2016 that is powering what is believed to the world’s fastest UV inkjet print system. 

The story of how General Labels & Printing is realising a dream to provide high quality, late stage label customisation in a single step will be told on IIJ’s Booth 5801, at Labelexpo at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois, Chicago, from 13-16 September. 

Earlier this year, General Labels became the world’s first company to benefit from IIJ’s MonoPrint XPi high-speed print system. With print widths up to 562mm, the industrial inkjet pioneer offers a wide range of print engines capable of printing of variable text down to 2 point fonts and speeds of up to 200 m / min rivalling the speeds of many flexo presses.

The breakthrough was all part of General Labels’ specific requirement to improve efficiencies by cutting down three processes in label production – flexo, laser printing and then folding. IIJ’s successful implementation of the XPI has saved tens of thousands of dollars for General Labels, as well as improving process efficiencies. 

IIJ provides a wide range of inkjet modules ready for installation onto customers’ existing flexo label presses, for example Nilpeter, Mark Andy, AB Graphics and Gallus. Combining inkjet as a module onto a flexo press provides a flexible, reliable and economic alternative to stand-alone inkjet label presses. Powered by Konica Minolta inkjet technology, IIJ says the modules offer remarkably high uptime and the longest printhead life in the industry. 

These extremely compact units print full variable images in process color, black, white, varnish or spot colours, as well as security inks such as IR black or UV-fluorescent at up to 1200dpi resolution.    

Laura Kitzmann, IIJ’s Business Development Manager, based in Denver said: “In a record-breaking sales year for IIJ, we’ll be showing on our booth how, compared to stand-alone units, our modules provide the lowest cost of ownership. This is estimated at between 30 and 60% lower than competitors. Combined with a wide choice of inks, from process colour to special effect and invisible security inks, they offer the best break-even point when compared with the cost of flexo print.”

John Corrall, Managing Director of IIJ, said: “With over 190 production lines running across the world, IIJ’s range of ColourPrint and MonoPrint inkjet modules are a proven cost-effective solution, as our customers testify. And running at speeds of up to 550 feet/min (167 m / min) at General Labels, we’re convinced this is currently the world’s fastest.”

IIJ tests and approves inks from a wide range of ink suppliers, both UV and water-based, which ensures that the optimum ink is available for every customer’s specific application. IIJ’s engines have been used successfully for cold foil applications.