Heidelberg and Gallus announce new matte finishing technology

Gallus, a subsidiary of Heidelberg, has worked on a new matte finishing technology for digital inkjet, Gallus MatteJet technology. According to the company, this advancement in inkjet printing opens the possibilities of inkjet technology to the wine label market for the very first time.

MatteJet was developed in-house at Gallus’ innovation hub in St. Gallen, the Gallus Experience Center. 

At Labelexpo Americas 2024, Gallus is exhibiting alongside Heidelberg, where it explains how this technology addresses one of the key challenges that has historically restricted the growth of digital inkjet technology. Importantly, visitors at the show also learn how MatteJet can transform the market segment for wine and spirit labels and provide converters with a new area of business growth.

The glossy finish inherent to digital inkjet technology has been one of the foremost barriers to its widespread adoption across labels and packaging – specifically in premium segments such as wine and spirit labels where brands traditionally expect a sophisticated matte finish. Until today, this was only achievable through conventional printing, or the addition of post-processing equipment to utilize matt varnishes, adding time, complexity and cost.

The company reports, Gallus MatteJet technology delivers fast, cost-effective and high-quality matte finishing capabilities, integrated directly into the digital inkjet process. This allows converters, for the first time, to achieve a high-end matte finish at the touch of a button, without changing inks or adding overprint varnish, eliminating the need for external finishing processes or separate conventional machines—enabling converters to access the wine and spirit labels market segment. MatteJet also enables converters and brands to enjoy the benefits of digital printing, such as more profitable short runs, personalization and on-demand printing – representing a leap in the industry’s digital transformation.

Dario Urbinati, CEO, Gallus group: ‘The development of Gallus MatteJet technology marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of inkjet printing, opening up a world of new opportunities and ultimately, completely transforming the very foundation of what’s possible with inkjet technology. By unlocking matte finishing for digital inkjet, we’ll be able to make an entirely new market segment accessible to converters without the sizeable investment into separate offset solutions – boosting profitability and exemplifying our commitment to building a new era of flexibility that will enable our industry to thrive long-term.’

Urbinati added: ‘The new MatteJet technology is revolutionary not just in the opportunities it opens up, but also in what its development represents. We opened the Gallus experience center with a vision for a dynamic, collaborative industry hub that would drive significant, meaningful industry change. Gallus MatteJet exemplifies and is testament to the kinds of transformative developments that can be achieved when you combine this vision with real-world insights as to what the market needs today, and of course the essential resources and expertise of our parent company, Heidelberg. MatteJet truly embodies our long-term mission and brings the smart, connected print future within touching distance.’

Designed to integrate with Gallus’ digital printing unit, the new MatteJet technology also represents further expansion of Gallus’ system to compose concept, which provides unprecedented levels of compatibility across its leading product lines. Under the system to compose, converters can add, adjust and remove units to their Gallus One as their business needs evolve – now further expanded to comprise workflow and service options as well as equipment, following its overwhelming reception at drupa 2024. Labelexpo will see Gallus demonstrate how the this concept is key to empowering converters to pivot, adapt and therefore thrive long term, with MatteJet now providing an additional piece to this puzzle.

The latest iteration of the Gallus One also makes its global tradeshow debut at this Labelexpo, in the newly expanded 430mm web width, unlocking more application possibilities than ever before. Visitors to the stand will see first-hand the possibilities achievable with its recently extended color gamut, with the integration of Orange and Violet Saphira inks developed jointly in-house with Heidelberg and helping converters to achieve shelf standout for brand differentiation.

Heidelberg will also showcase various aspects of its label offering alongside Gallus, having recently continued its expansion into new business areas, solidifying its position as a leader in delivering end-to-end solutions. Together, they will highlight a number of innovations in the label space – including the latest developments in its Screeny screen printing solutions and Prinect workflow software. Prinect, the backbone of system to compose from Gallus, is key to digitizing production and realizing the smart, connected printshop of the future – brought to life live on the Labelexpo booth (3523).

As a subsidiary, Gallus remains an important pillar in the company’s growth strategy for the packaging and label market and will continue to play a key role in the Heidelberg future.