The new Gallus Labelfire 340 digital printing system has been designed for the self-adhesive labels market. The global print volume for these labels is growing by about four percent a year. Although nearly five percent of this volume is printed digitally, this figure is rising rapidly with up to double-digit growth rates. Indeed, digital printing is driving change in this highly promising market segment. It is anticipated that, in the medium term, just under half of the presses sold in this sector will be digital. By launching this new technology, Heidelberg and Gallus are actively shaping change in the business models used in this segment and offering users a versatile and cost-effective solution.
Gallus Labelfire – Digital printing in offset quality
The new Gallus Labelfire has been developed to meet the requirements of markets that are changing faster all the time. Its high resolution and precise print and embellishing quality are winning features. This machine system based on digital UV inkjet printing units enables label printers to achieve an unprecedented level of print quality matching that of high-resolution offset printing. With its high native resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi, the Gallus Labelfire is particularly impressive when it comes to small characters, fine lines and gradients down to zero percent. The unique, shaped inkjet print head also makes it possible to achieve seamless head stitching, resulting in a smooth print across the entire web. In addition to this superior inkjet technology, the Gallus Labelfire also has conventional converting modules taken from the Gallus ECS 340, which is tried and tested a hundred times over. The Gallus Labelfire’s user-friendly HMI, which controls both conventional and digital modules, ensures that label printers manage and control their entire machine system with the same operating philosophy.
Metallic doming – the unique metal relief effect on plastic substrates
Metallic doming is a unique combination printing process in narrow-web label printing - a reflective, metallic raised structure manufactured using a relief in rotary screen printing. What makes metallic doming unique is the lasting metal-relief effect achieved on paper or plastic film, such as tube laminates or transparent self-adhesive material. The first step is to apply the print image using rotary screen printing. A metal foil is then laminated onto the screen print.
What’s special about this process is that it allows printed images with lasting metallic reliefs to be produced on plastic foils. So far, it is the only procedure on the label market that makes it possible to create embossing effects on plastic substrates. With the exception of hot foil embossing without lasting relief effects, plastic cannot be embossed as other materials can. Metallic doming fills this technological gap in the application market.