Screen Europe hosted a two-day open house at its Inkjet Innovation Center (IIC) in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands, for printing professionals from Portugal to examine how digital inkjet technology could support businesses as the country’s print sector undergoes structural change.
The Portuguese printing market is experiencing consolidation alongside a growing shift towards digital production, says Screen. In response to these developments, the company, working with its Portuguese dealer, inPrintout, invited attendees to explore digital inkjet applications across commercial printing, labels and packaging.
The programme featured market presentations, technical sessions and live demonstrations of Screen’s digital inkjet technology. Speakers included Fernando Tordo, CEO of inPrintout, and Dr. Lopes Castro, president of APIGRAF, the Portuguese Association of Graphic, Packaging and Digital Communication Industries.
According to the presentations, overall print demand and volumes in Portugal remain broadly stable, but production is increasingly characterised by a higher number of shorter, data-driven print runs. The speakers also highlighted ongoing labour shortages across the sector, arguing that these trends are increasing interest in digital printing technologies.
Attendees also received demonstrations of Screen’s Truepress inkjet portfolio. In commercial print and publishing, the company showcased the Truepress Jet 560HDX, which is now available in the IIC showroom. The press produced samples using customer-supplied files to demonstrate its capabilities for short-run and customised production.
For packaging applications, Screen presented the Truepress PAC 520P, which the company said has recently entered full production for paper-based flexible packaging in Europe. The demonstrations focused on developments in paper packaging, including product protection and consumer safety, as well as the growing adoption of digitally printed paper flexible packaging by brand owners.
The event also included discussions on the practical considerations involved in adopting digital printing technologies, with participants exchanging views on implementation and future market requirements.
Commenting on the event, Mr Tordo said: “Everyone at Screen, myself included, has known for some time that digital printing is exactly what Portuguese printers need. But seeing is believing. By bringing our printers to the Netherlands they could really hear and see how and why digital printing is the solution, I believe this event will prove transformative for the Portuguese printing industry in the years to come.”
