Schumacher Packaging threw open the doors to show off what is the most powerful post print inkjet press for packaging in the UK.
The press is the Koenig & Bauer Durst Delta SPC130, a press capable of printing on 1.3×2.8m sheets of corrugated board at 120m/min. It has been installed at Schumacher Packaging’s site close to the NEC in Birmingham. It is the centrepiece of £26 million of investment at the plant over the last four year since acquisition by Schumacher.
It is not only the most productive press in the market, it is also the most cost effective thanks to a new set of inks from Koenig & Bauer Durst which can be applied at 4ml per square metre. This combination starts to change the game for corrugated print says head of digital sales Jon Blackbourn. “When people think of digital printing on corrugated they think point of sale and show run print. But we have a very very fast digital printer which gives us a real advantage over competitors in the market that have other digital printers.
“It enables people to rethink what is now printed flexo or litholam. It will print equally well on coated and uncoated and will deliver a fabulous job.”
“We can see real growth in digital print as brands are wanting to engage with consumers. With ecommerce, the pack is the last opportunity brands have to impress consumers.”
Calculations indicate that the press will be capable of taking on runs of 10,000-20,000 as well as the ultra short and personalised print. The developer reckons that the SPC130 is comfortable with 10-12m2 of print a year. “This is not just about short run printing, this is industrial printing, the only limitation is ink price,” says Blackbourn.
The press prints CMYKOV after application of primer with other options for white and clear varnishes. The aqueous inks are cleared for food applications. The combination achieves the vast majority of Pantone colours without a spot colour.
The open day attracted around 50 customers drawn from major brands, smaller companies, others in the trade and a sprinkling of other suppliers. The big opportunity is with ecommerce packaging which has been a growing sector for the business. The press is also capable of printing point of sales display and on solid boards, pointing to potential for some trade carton work where quality is acceptable.
