Converter Perspectives: 
Digital Printing in Packaging

High-end, full-color EP systems are the leading digital technology for converters, especially label converters, but other types of color digital printing have significant roles at companies with digital capabilities. Among companies that employ digital printing of some type, wide-format inkjet is a part of the equipment for 35.3 percent of label converters, 38.9 percent of flexible packaging converters, and 50 percent of folding carton converters. Wide-format inkjet devices vary greatly in nature, from low-end proofing devices (most numerous, with Epson and HP being top examples) to very high-end systems such as Inca and Mimaki. InfoTrends believes that among converters with digital technology, wide format is a fairly common choice. Main applications are for proofing, as well as for applications unrelated to converting (graphics, other commercial printing). Also, in some cases wide format is used for short production runs of labels.