The Optiflex printing house has launched the MGI JETvarnish 3D Web digital ennoblement complex

2022: Launch of the digital ennoblement complex in the Lipetsk printing house

On June 29, 2022, the company Konica Minolta announced that it had delivered and commissioned a Lipetsk printing houses Optiflex digital ennobling machine on rolled materials. MGI JETvarnish 3D Web

The technologist attaches the cutting knife to the magnetic shaft. Source: opti-flex.ru

The Optiflex printing house specializes in the production of self-adhesive labels, full-circulation labels from BOPP films, thermal etiquettes and thermal glasses for food, stickers with a data matrix for the system, as well "Honest Sign" as labels for household and automotive chemistry and other industries. industries

Initially, Optiflex used a flexographic printing method, but in early 2019 the first digital printing machine Konica MinoltaAccordio Label 190 was installed. A year later, it was replaced by the more productive AccordioLabel 230. From that moment, the printing house reoriented itself to increasing the number of short orders that are advisable to print digitally.

"This required a special organization of the production process: from the preparation of layouts to the development of the short circulation market and the setting of priorities for attracting customers. As of June 2022, we have three high-speed flexo-printing complexes, and the digital printing section is increasing its turnover. It has expanded with two more productive machines of a competing manufacturer and is no longer an addition to flexographic production, but is developing as an independent and self-sufficient direction, " comments Vladislav Kovalev, Deputy General Director of Optiflex Printing House

To increase the attractiveness of the label, Optiflex decided to use a digital method of ennoblement. It gives the surface tactility, which distinguishes products from competitors. Analog finishing methods (applying varnish and pressing foil) are time and effort consuming, and can also lead to marriage and a large amount of waste.

The MGI JETvarnish 3D Web machine helps to make the process faster. It uses a direct inkjet method of applying UV varnish and hot foil embossing, which allows selective varnishing, highlighting specified areas and adding 3D effects.

The machine also works with rolled materials with a width of up to 420 mm and a thickness of 50 to 400 microns and allows you to perform all types of varnishing and foil at a speed of up to 42 m/min. The model can apply a lacquer layer with a thickness of 7 to 232 microns, with the ability to create height differences on one layout and vary it in one run, which is not available for traditional printing methods.

"Print service providers and marketers are increasingly looking to add these kinds of impressive effects to the label to differentiate their customers' products from other brands and make them more tactile. MGI machines open this opportunity to the mass market by reducing the cost of finishing the label for short and medium runs, " explains Maxim Barabanov, Head of Label and Flexible Packaging at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Russia

"The digital finish of the label is in demand in the categories of expensive drinks, including craft beers, perfumes and cosmetics of the top segment, delicatessen food, sports nutrition, topping. The requirements for such a label are high and quite specific, and we can ensure their implementation thanks to the MGI machine, " notes Vladislav Kovalev