HP Indigo extends GEM foil compatibility, signs first US beta site

GEM is a UV inkjet-based unit which enables the application of fully digital graphic embellishments in one pass with an HP Indigo WS6800 digital press. GEM is capable of a wide range embellishments including digital spot and tactile varnishes, digital foils, and a range of other creative effects.

Collaborating with Kurz and K Laser Technology ensures compatibility of their products with the HP Indigo GEM.

At ILS, the HP Indigo GEM will operate in-line with an HP Indigo 6900, creating what is claimed as the first fully digital, one-pass combination press for embellishing with combinations of foil, screen, tactile, varnish, cast and cure and other special effects, using a single point of control and one print-ready file.

‘The HP Indigo GEM is a dramatic revolution in digital printing industry. With the acquisition of this cutting edge technology, we are once again positioned to disrupt, bringing a fully digital printing solution including embellishments to the marketplace,’ said Jay Dollries, ILS president and CEO.

‘This latest cutting-edge innovation allows our business to be dynamic and responsive to deliver a broad range applications and creative capabilities. We are not limited to the embellishment being the same on every label, with the GEM also enabling variable embellishments.’

Alon Bar-Shany, general-manager, HP Indigo, added: ‘The beauty of this new solution is the all-digital printing of labels with embellishments, in one process, saving time and costs and thereby creating an all-digital production floor.’

The HP Indigo GEM technology was introduced at Labelexpo Europe 2017 and detailed in Labels & Labeling issue 6, 2017, and here.