Shift to ‘digital inkjet’ gains steam in the label printing business

SCREEN Europe's Labelfest event in Amstelveen gauges mood and prospects

The business case for digital label printing is getting stronger and stronger, as demand for short print runs from food, health and other industries is growing, while digital inkjet label print technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated and cost-efficient. This was one of the predominant conclusions at SCREEN Europe's Labelfest event, which attracted around 55 representatives from printers and partners at SCREEN’s premises in Amstelveen (Netherlands).

A live demonstration of the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI, SCREEN’s latest addition to its top-notch series of high-end digital inkjet label printers, was among the highlights of the event.

“I’m here to support our decision-making about how best to integrate digital label printing in our existing print activities,” said one attendant. “Digital printing is the future and this event gave us direct access to SCREEN’s experts, enabling test runs of our own labels”, said another.

SCREEN clients and partner companies from across Europe – from Lithuania to Portugal and the UK to Morocco - were updated on the latest developments in inkjet printing technology. They also were informed about the latest trends and products in the finishing and printer software industries by seven SCREEN partners.

Geopolitical uncertainty related to the war in Ukraine and record-high energy prices, though matters of serious concern, don’t seem to keep print companies from investing in new digital inkjet equipment, judged by the number of attendants, and their assessment of the market.

“We’re on the verge of buying our first digital inkjet label printer, a crucial step to improve our competitiveness,” said André Pereira, commercial and marketing director at Portuguese print company ETIFAM , who attended Labelfest with his managing director and father Alberto Pereira.?

“Digital is the future,” said Virginijus Gumbaragis , director-general of Lithuanian print company Pakmarkas. “Digital label printing enables us to deliver the small print runs our clients want, at the speed they require and at relatively low costs,” he adds.

Nadine Vanderwaeren , business development manager of Belgian printer Elep, pointed out that she shifted focus to acquiring the right software and inline finishing to make the best of her company’s recently installed SCREEN label printer. “Being here at Labelfest and getting the latest insights from SCREEN’s software and finishing partners will surely underpin our decision-making in this regard and supports our digital printing offering,” Nadine said.

SCREEN partners presenting at Labelfest were Refine, Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials , Hybrid Software , Ecoleaf Packaging & Printing , ACTEGA , CERM and The LabelHub .