Mark Andy’s successful digital transformation

Important highlight was also the launch of sMArt link software – a real-time on-press data collection and press monitoring system for improving press utilization, efficiency, and sustainability. Live demos also included three Rotoflex slitter/rewinders, including the new AT4 automatic turret system devoted for in-line and off-line label finishing.

Labelexpo Americas was the perfect opportunity for Mark Andy to show new technology for the narrow web sector, with a world premiere for the Digital Pro MAX.  Its live demos included a beer label on PP silver metalized foil and a tea label on PP white with cold foil stamping. 

The new press is a result of Mark Andy’s long experience in digital technology, as well as significant feedback from users of previous Digital Pro models. It is faster, has a lower cost to print, includes toner white, and can be upgraded as required. It offers CMYK + white at up to 160 ft/min (49m/min), making it a future-proof investment, beginning with roll-to-roll, and adding flexo spot color printing with up to three flexo stations before or after the digital engine. Cold foil and lamination stations can be added at any time.  

If converters need to print on the back of the liner, the press can be equipped with a turn bar and upgraded with Mark Andy’s semi-rotary vertical die-cut unit. The toner white adds transparent and metalized substrate capability without the need for a flexo station. 

‘Digital Pro MAX offers new opportunities for printers and converters who specialize in short run label production,’ said Stu Gallup, vice president of digital sales at Mark Andy. ‘It reduces waste and consumable costs and offers extended work cycles that result in more savings and improved overall efficiency.’

The two presses shown at Labelexpo represented the inkjet-based Digital Series. Digital Series iQ was launched last year and is a close technological co-operation with Domino, the manufacturer of the N610i UV inkjet module that is integrated with Mark Andy’s Evolution Series platform. Digital Series iQ can be configured with up to seven UV inkjet colors - CMYKOV+WW.  Hybrid converting components include flexo print stations, semi rotary die cutting, a rail system for web turn bars or cold-foiling unit, and inline slitting, as required.  The press offers 600 x 600 DPI resolution at up to 70m/min.  Live demos included VDP printing on white gloss BOPP foil and a Kambucha label printed on chrome metalized PP foil. 

Top of the range in Chicago, and attracting keen attention, was the Digital Series HD, which is Mark Andy’s in-house development aimed squarely at the top end of the market and is already a popular choice among label printers and converters worldwide. The digital inkjet engine offers up to seven colors - CMYK + OGV+W and 1,200 x 1,200 DPI resolution at up to 73 m/min on web widths to 431 mm, with many inline embellishment and finishing options. A wider color gamut, combined with a specially formulated and highly pigmented white ink, enables it to print effects like rotary screen. Live demos included a bourbon label on silver metalized foil with textured varnish/matt varnish as well as facial cream label on PP clear foil with matt varnish.

The company was also showcasing the sMArt link, launched earlier this year. This software system is designed for label and packaging converters who want to improve press utilization, efficiency, and sustainability. It helps operation managers make immediate process adjustments and management make strategic data-driven decisions, resulting in waste reduction and higher efficiency. It can be accessed through a cloud-based platform and is suitable for new and existing Mark Andy and other presses found on the converting floor, both flexo and digital/hybrids. It ties all equipment together in one robust analytical tool that is accessible from anywhere with an internet hook-up. 

Rotoflex showed three slitter/rewinders including the new AT4 – automatic turret system for in-line and off-line label converting. Its capabilities meet a wide range of label manufacturers’ applications, including advanced, highly processed stock. The live demos also included the Rotoflex VLI model – a slitter/rewinder with 100 percent inspection and the Rotoflex VSI, which is the most widely used model in traditional label and printed roll-to-roll inspection and rewinding.

‘We warmly thank everyone who visited our booth at Labelexpo Americas 2022,’ said Jason Desai, CEO of Mark Andy. ‘According to the organizers, the event was attended by more than 13,500 people from 80 countries, which gives us optimism for next year’s show in Brussels. We hope it will be held because it is always a great opportunity to meet customers and business partners from Europe and other continents.’