HP Indigo Webcast Expands on drupa Announcements

The HP Indigo 8000 offers end-to-end label production at increased speeds.

HP Indigo made its big drupa announcement earlier this week, revealing the details of new products and product upgrades it will be showcasing in Düsseldorf. On Wednesday, March 30, HP Indigo General Manager Alon Bar-Shany hosted a webcast live from Israel to expand on these announcements.

Bar-Shany explained that while digital printing has taken off in the commercial space, it has been slower to catch on in packaging, with the exception of the label market. At drupa, HP plans on demonstrating its latest in digital label printing — the HP Indigo 8000 — which Bar-Shany says provides Indigo quality at twice the speed of the HP Indigo WS6800 at 262 ft./min.

While this new hardware is exciting, Bar-Shany says HP has also developed a new white ink, which can reach an opacity level of 81%, which he said would have been considered impossible four years ago. The HP Indigo 8000 has also been designed to connect inline with a semi-rotary diecutting unit from AB Graphics.

“This press is a beast and will really enable our customers to put a lot more jobs on their digital presses,” he said.

Though label production has been the most prominent part of the packaging space to incorporate digital printing, Bar-Shany explained that HP Indigo has plans to improve its digital offerings for flexible packaging and folding cartons as well.

The HP Indigo 20000, which debuted four years ago, has primarily been used for flexible packaging. However, Bar-Shany said the company has expanded the number of substrates the HP Indigo 20000 can print on and is now offering it in a commercial version, which can produce large-format posters.

Bar-Shany says HP Indigo also has plans to release a series of post-print solutions that he believes could revolutionize the industry. The first solution is Pack Ready Lamination, which allows digitally printed pouches to move immediately into lamination and pouch finishing.

“Beyond the fact that the chemistry enables this instant packaging, it will also broaden the capabilities,” Bar-Shany said. “The bond strength is extremely high and suddenly you can start doing digital for the most demanding applications, including those that have to go through microwaves, retort etc.”

Advancements are also coming to the HP Indigo 30000, which has been primarily used in the production of folding cartons. With an integrated corona unit, Bar-Shany says customers will be able to print on a wider variety of synthetics, and through partnerships with TRESU and AVT, the HP Indigo 30000 can become and end-to-end solution with a double coater, inline silver and gold flexo inks and an inspection system.

Bar-Shany concluded by explaining that while many package printers and converters may be reluctant to embrace new and different technology, it is a way to stay viable. Packaging is a strong and growing market for print, so relying on the tried and true technology can be tempting.

However, Bar-Shany says this industry moves fast and staying on top of the latest technology not only helps companies stay relevant, but stay ahead in their fields.

“Not taking the leap; not changing is really bad,” he said. “We encourage our customers to change and we try to help them.”