Brazilian print business Color Pack has helped Dantex break into Latin America by purchasing the first digital press from the UK-based printing equipment manufacturer to be installed in the region.

This press – a six-colour PicoJet 1200s – is currently being installed, having been used by Dantex to showcase the capabilities of the platform during an open house event in Madrid, held by partner Grupo Impryma.

At the event, the capabilities of the CMYK+WO UV inkjet inks were put to the test by prospective customers from across Europe, with Dantex technical specialist Lee Deyes on hand to get the most out of the 600dpi digital engine. Also in the room was Jeancarlo Cardoso, director of operations at Color Pack, who was there to share the company’s vision and decision to invest in the hybrid PicoJet 1200s platform.

His company was founded in 2007 and has built a strong reputation for its use of flexo and associated technologies to produce labels and tags.

‘We have also previously introduced digital by using an OKI Pro1050,’ says Mr Cardoso, ‘which we have used to show there is an appetite for digital and that we have the capability to introduce this technology into our production. This has been proven, so now we need to introduce industrial digital printing to make sure we stay at the forefront.’

Color Pack’s machine has a print width of 350mm and is able to run at 75m/min. It has been specified with a flexo station with UV curing and finishing options that include cold foil, rotary die-cutting, lamination, edge trim and slitting. It also includes proprietary technologies such as SuperText and SuperWhite. Respectively, these allow the production of fine text and a white opacity up to 92% in a single pass. Metallic ink effects are achievable through the use of Color-Logic’s system. Whilst the inline configuration of inkjet and flexo affords Color Pack optimum production flexibility,

Mr Cardoso further notes that the press, ‘offers unparalleled cost benefits in terms of production speed and fixed quality.’ Meanwhile, hybrid inkjet-flexo printing offers the widest gamut option available, ‘meaning we can produce high-quality, vibrant designs.’

‘This,’ he says, ‘makes it a valuable investment for our business, as combining the quality of flexo with the capabilities of digital will bring to the market what it needs.

‘Whilst quality remains paramount, we know and can see the need for smaller runs is growing daily. Having a machine like this is necessary for us to match this requirement. We looked at other digital print processes, but the quality and consistency produced by the Dantex press was influential in our decision. For us, inline hybrid printing is a cost-effective way to produce labels and tags. UV inks were also necessary for us due to the type of work we produce and offering the resistance needed.

‘We believe such a machine will revolutionise the printing of labels and tags in Latin America. We are confident in our decision to invest in this digital press technology and look forward to the benefits it will bring to our business,’ concludes Mr Cardoso.

This article was first published in issue 3 (May/June) 2023 of Digital Labels & Packaging; register here to receive the magazine