Gallus has made its MatteJet technology commercially available, giving users of its Gallus One digital press the option to produce labels with a matt finish for the premium wine and spirits sector. 

First announced at Labelexpo Americas in Chicago last year, MatteJet is a process that remains something of a mystery. Initially described by Gallus CEO Dario Urbinati at Labelexpo as “a modification of the surface of the inkjet droplet, leading to a modified result”, the effect has now been revealed as being achieved using a dose of energy from a “special” GEW lamp onto each inkjet drop, which makes the surface of the dot less smooth, and so scatters light that hits it, turning its optical effect from gloss to matt. 

MatteJet is offered as an option for the modular Gallus One, fittable to its latest models built with the company’s “System to Compose” ethos.  

Mr Urbinati said: “Until now, matt finishing for digital inkjet has only been achievable through the addition of integrated flexo units or post-processing equipment to utilise matt coatings – adding time, complexity and cost. Now, by eliminating the need for these types of varnishes, customers can unlock various efficiencies whilst retaining the surface texture of their desired substrate.” 

He added that MatteJet brings “all the advantages of digitally printed matt labels to premium brands – including short runs, reduced inventory, enhanced sustainability, personalisation and on-demand printing”.  

MatteJet was shown running at 54m/min at the launch event in St Gallen, Switzerland – one of a number of embellishments added inline to label designs on a Gallus One press that included a Pantec Rhino unit. Mr Urbinati said it was hoped that faster speeds might also be possible at some point.  

However, Gallus would not provide any further details on the technology behind MatteJet, stating only that it was utilising a GEW technology that had applications in other sectors, but was being used in print for the first time. It would not specify if the UV energy used was conventional or LED. It said that customers are already using MatteJet in the field, but declined to provide any further information