OEMs are turning to the potential of inkjet digital printing to create a new generation of printing equipment that will allow printers and converters to protect and futureproof their businesses.
According to Memjet, the coronavirus pandemic had a strong but varied impact on the label and packaging market. This saw an uptick in the trends towards in-house and local print-on-demand capabilities, whilst new demands came from consumers living through unprecedented times.
As such, sales through e-commerce, which were already on the rise before the pandemic, skyrocketed during times of social isolation and stay-in-place orders. Packaging providers kept pace, producing personalised and customised packaging to help brands connect directly with consumers.
In addition, health and hygiene concerns eclipsed sustainability as a top concern for consumers. While that trend has evolved, concerns about health and hygiene have not gone away, and now providers must consider producing packaging that is both safe and sustainable.
‘The impact of the pandemic on packaging and labelling markets will be felt for many years to come,’ advised Kim Beswick, general manager of global sales at Memjet.
She continued, ‘As converters and print providers move forward, many are looking for new markets and opportunities, as well as how to protect and futureproof their business. Memjet’s OEM partners have a growing number of compelling and relevant solutions providers should evaluate in order to meet customer’s needs, expand their business, and find a profitable path forward.’
A number of such systems will be on show at the forthcoming Pack Expo event in Las Vegas across 27-29 September, where Memjet partners will be showcasing a range of short-run package and label printing systems. These can, ‘provide fast, affordable ways for print providers and converters to gain greater control of their packaging supply chain and meet the evolving need for quick turnaround of packaging and labelling solutions,’ said Ms Beswick.
Memjet’s DuraFlex technology will be highlighted by Arrow Systems with its ArrowJet Aqua 330R, Kirk-Rudy and FireJet 4C, and V-Shapes, which will be demonstrating its new AlphaFlex print, form, fill and seal system.
Memjet VersaPass technology will also be demonstrated by VIPColor with VP550 and VP610, Afinia Label through the FP-230 flexible packaging press, and AstroNova and the QuickLabel QL-850 four-colour, wide-format tabletop inkjet label printer and the TrojanLabel T2-C high-volume tabletop press for labels and flexible packaging. Also showcasing the potential of tabletop inkjet digital printing is Rena with its Mach 6 and Mach X digital colour printers.
Mohit Bhushan, global director, product management at AstroNova, has recently told Digital Labels & Packaging, ‘The transition to digital was already underway, but Covid has caused great upheavals in consumer behaviours and preferences, resulting in significant acceleration. In addition to Covid-19, social consciousness has been a force of change over the past year. Consumer behaviours and attitudes have forced packaging to adapt to meet new wants and values.’
