HP Indigo launches high speed label press

The HP Indigo V12 digital press will be the first to use this new technology platform, called LEPX. Speeds will be up to 120 m/min (400ft/min) without requiring the dual engine format of the 8000 series presses. Two of these new Series 6 presses will be present on HP’s stand at drupa.

LEPX provides exactly the same imaging quality as the current HP Indigo digital offset technology. The V12 press will have six color stations, but up to 12 colors will be available, with on-the-fly ink switching.

‘The HP Indigo V12 can print as fast as analog with greater production agility, redefining digital label printing,’ said Alon Bar-Shany, general manager, HP Indigo. 

The V12 press will not replace the current 6900 series narrow web press. Rather, said Bar-Shany, HP Indigo sees the V12 as for mid-to-long run jobs, and the click charge model will be adjusted to take account of this. The 6900 will continue to be the press sold for short to mid run lengths. 

HP is currently working with its partners to develop both inline and near-line finishing systems for the V12, which shares the same format size as the existing 6000-series presses.

The V12 press is currently undergoing field trials and is expected to be commercially available in 2022. 

HP Indigo also announced new configurations for all its existing labels and packaging production presses, including a new narrow web HP Indigo 6K and HP Indigo 8K digital presses for labels, the HP Indigo 25K for flexible packaging and labels, and sheet-fed HP Indigo 35K and roll-to-B1 sheet HP Indigo 90K for folding cartons. 

‘The digital labels and packaging market is growing and evolving as converters move to support market needs for on-demand production, SKU diversification, customization and printing with reduced waste,’ said Alon Bar-Shany, general manager, HP Indigo. ‘Labels and packaging converters using HP Indigo are growing their Indigo volume four times faster than the market and are consistently generating new opportunities. The new labels and packaging portfolio unveiled today is a blueprint for customers to create a digital print factory so they can stay ahead of the curve and deliver a wider range of jobs faster, with less labor, all while keeping the environment top of mind.’

Since drupa 2016, more than 1,000 HP Indigo labels and packaging presses have been installed at converters worldwide.

Additionally, the HP Indigo 6K digital press is the new model of the HP Indigo 6000 series. The press can deliver more applications using higher opacity white for shrink sleeves, new inks including silver, fluorescents, invisible red and green for brand protection applications and new varnishes from leading partners for higher durability. The HP Indigo 8K offers increased productivity, reduced waste and easier transitioning between media types and jobs. High-capacity label production and flexible packaging on the new mid-web HP Indigo 25K digital press are supported with a new slitter for labels. 

The new HP Indigo 25K digital press is designed to help converters meet brand needs with a more attractive total cost of ownership, a wider media range to deliver compostable and recyclable pouches. Advances launched this week include Spot Master color automation.

HP partnered with Nordmeccanica on a lamination machine with a new SuperSimplex e800 laminator by Nordmeccanica. The 800 mm wide solventless laminator offers low waste and reduced energy consumption for on-demand pouch production.

The Karlville Pack Ready thermal laminator and Karlvile KS-DSUP-400 pouch maker are optimized for shorter runs with greater flexibility with two white ink stations, and higher productivity with frame expansion from 729 mm to 737 mm.

Sustainability credentials on the 25K digital press include the Green Leaf mark and certification from TUV Austria’s 'OK Compost' verifying HP Indigo ElectroInks can be used as printing inks for packaging and are recoverable through composting and biodegradation in accordance with leading standards. In addition, HP Indigo ElectroInks comply with leading food packaging regulations and are free of UV-reactive chemistries. All Indigo presses are manufactured carbon neutral.

The HP Indigo 6K, HP Indigo 8K, HP Indigo 25K, HP Indigo 35K, and HP Indigo 90K digital presses will be commercially available at drupa or by the end of 2020.  The HP Indigo V12 will be demonstrated at drupa and is scheduled for commercial availability in 2022.