The new Pack Ready Laminator was launched at Interpack
HP’s Pack Ready Lamination technology has migrated from concept as shown at drupa last year to a commercially available solution.
A new laminator was producing digitally printed, laminated, on-demand pouches on the stand at Interpack in Düsseldorf, combining HP Indigo 20000 printing, Pack Ready Film and a Bosch Form Fill and Seal (FFS) machine. Manufactured and supplied by Karlville, the Pack Ready Laminator is scheduled for customer beta testing in Japan this summer, and the first units will ship by the end of the year.
The patented Pack Ready film contains a heat-active polymer layer that mechanically interlocks with Indigo ElectroInk once sufficient heat and pressure are applied, allowing immediate use. It can comply with key global food packaging safety regulations, under well-defined conditions of use, said the company, and food contact-grade films are now available from film suppliers, including Polyplex and Polifilm.
‘Pack Ready is the next step in the HP digital disruption of printing for flexible packaging, the fastest-growing packaging sector,’ said Alon Bar-Shany, HP Indigo general manager, HP Inc. ‘We are proud to make this solution available to customers to help them maximise the value of digital print, drive brand engagement, shorten time to market, and cut waste and costs.’
‘The new Pack Ready solution will allow digital converters to eliminate cure time for instant converting and shipping, opening new opportunities,’ added John Price, president of Karlville. ‘Overall cost and complexity barriers are lowered with this new concept. Combining Pack Ready laminates with Karlville’s new thermal laminator, digital customers can smoothly transition into the flexible packaging market.’
