The Variprint marking in action
The first official ink licensee of the new Variprint technology, which is due to be launched at drupa by DataLase, is Flint Group.
The company is the first ink supplier to incorporate the technology into its inks and coatings. Product director of paper and board EMEA, Kari Raassina, said, ‘The Variprint solution from DataLase demonstrates a high level of innovation and enables us to respond to brands’ demands for engaging, high quality, customised graphics on pack.
‘Combine this with the inline element of the technology, where we can incorporate it into our customers’ existing print assets, and we have a highly efficient, economically viable digital printing solution that is ideal for short notice requirement changes and printing on demand.’
The technology uses laser reactive pigments that are incorporated into a coating, which is conventionally printed on to a product or package. When exposed to a laser, at the point of manufacturing, packing or filling, a colour change reaction is generated resulting in a high definition digital print. This enables high speed, fast turnaround printing, which is ideal for late stage customisation and real time marketing.
Mark Naples, vice president business development Europe and APAC, said, ‘This agreement further strengthens our working relationship with Flint Group. They fully understand the capabilities and benefits our technology brings to the industry and are able to demonstrate these to their customers. Variprint is cost effective and efficient, delivering innovative, high definition graphics and provides a high added value solution to brand owners, retailers and packaging converters alike.’
The technology can be used across the FMCG marketplace from food and beverage, pharmaceutical and medical, to home and personal care applications. It allows the printing of high contrast text, date and lot codes, QR codes, barcodes, logos, images and graphics across a wide range of substrates and applications.
DataLase will launch Variprint at drupa, alongside a variety of strategic partners that together will offer a turnkey solution.
