What’s the future of flexographic print technology? That’s a key question every packaging printer asked at drupa. How can you find the answers?
Looking back over the past four years of what feels like constant change – from responding to a global pandemic to managing rising inflation – it’s possible to think some of the brand pressures affecting packaging printers could be starting to fade. But when it comes to continuity of packaging supply, driving more efficient SKUs and the push towards greater sustainability, brands’ focus hasn’t shifted. Packaging printers will need to continue to be more efficient and more sustainable.
Fortunately, at the same time, new technologies and techniques are driving flexo to a higher standard for packaging printing. Flexo is evolving from its ‘traditional’ capabilities, practices and processes to a new era of what Miraclon calls modern flexo that is a standardised, sustainable manufacturing process.
At drupa, Miraclon unveiled the elements needed to deliver modern flexo, demonstrating the impact of the new era and the technology and practices printers can use to transform their print process to become consistent, highly capable, efficient and more sustainable.
Real-world results
The best way to understand the impact of modern flexo is to see it in action. At drupa, Miraclon highlighted 12 case studies of printers that have made the modern flexo transformation. Each printer has used FLEXCEL NX technology to change the way they print and realise significant financial and sustainability benefits.
The benefits have been quantified, and the case studies covered a range of packaging applications and challenges from around the world. Printers who visited the Miraclon stand were able to learn how implementing modern flexo can help them meet their efficiency, sustainability and quality goals.
Collaboration and innovation focus
Miraclon also showed how the company works with customers to transform print through education, optimisation and tools, focusing on its suite of knowledge-based services.
Nine key new product innovations, all of which build on and strengthen Miraclon’s core FLEXCEL NX technology, were demonstrated. All innovations bring an enhanced level of consistency or capability that support the transformation to modern flexo. These innovations include:
The FLEXCEL NX Ultra 42 Processor: Building on the success of the FLEXCEL NX Ultra 35 processor for narrow-web applications, the new FLEXCEL NX Ultra 42 Processor offers a key proof point for achieving this in a high-volume, low-maintenance plate production environment. Miraclon’s water-washable plates offer the same benefits as its solvent-processed plates in the transition to modern flexo.
Shine LED Lamp Kits: Shine LED Lamp Kits, innovated by Miraclon, are a simple and cost-effective path to UV LED plate exposure that makes an even more consistent flexo plate. Increased plate consistency leads to even greater efficiencies in printing.
A preview of next-generation FLEXCEL NX Plate and FLEXCEL NX Ultra Plate Technologies: LED optimised plate technology that offers even cleaner printing for greater efficiency and sustainability benefits.
Miraclon is looking forward to working with packaging printers to deliver significant benefits with modern flexo.
Caption:
On its drupa stand Miraclon highlighted 12 case studies of printers that have made the modern flexo transformation