CGS ORIS, a global leader in color management, digital proofing & specially formulated media and Mutoh Europe nv, EMEA subsidiary of the Japanese wide-format digital printer manufacturer, has announced the availability of a unique end-to-end digital print solution specifically developed for direct-to-substrate proofing of packaging.
The new total solution integrates Mutoh’s ValueJet 628MP, a 24” (630 mm) wide digital piezo inkjet printer, CGS ORIS FLEX PACK software and the new generation CGS ORIS multi-resin XG INKS (C, M, Y, K, Lc, Lm & White).
The core differentiator of this print solution is that it is currently the only one available that is capable of printing directly onto a wide variety of packaging substrates without primer or pre-coating, such as shrink film, uncoated label stock and corrugated board.
When compared to water-based or eco-solvent based proofing technologies, the new solution will offer users the ability to print directly on to the exact same substrate which will be used in the final production run, covering specific proofing applications for which transfer film and the use of traditional water-based and eco solvent inks is not an alternative.
“FLEX PACK today is the most successful packaging proofing and prototyping system on the market”, comments Heiner Mueller, Sales Director Packaging at CGS ORIS. “We see huge potential for our common solution for specific niche applications which are complementary to our existing business of proofing via transfer film in combination with eco solvent inks.
The first niche we have addressed is companies who specialize in shrink sleeve production. Our new multi-resin XG series inks will not only allow printing onto uncoated substrates, they will also allow packaging professionals to check the correct distortion of a shrink sleeve prototype thanks to the fact that the new XG inks have unique stretch and shrink capabilities.
A second important niche we see is for proofs on uncoated label stock and corrugated board. Unlike UV inks, CGS ORIS XG INKS will retain the look and feel as well as all other physical properties of the target substrates. This means the proofs will have the physical feel of the final product. It is not possible to cover these applications with regular transfer film and water-based or eco solvent inks.”
Looking ahead, we are also exploring additional opportunities for the VJ-628MP/FLEX PACK/CGS ORIS XG INKS solution, such as non-woven fabrics, garment tags and PE plastic bags”, Mueller concludes.
Mutoh Europe’s Managing Director Mitsuo Takasu comments : “We are extremely pleased to partner with CGS ORIS and bring together an innovative digital print solution for packaging professionals. The new combined solution has already been adopted and very well received in Japan.”
“The ValueJet 628MP engine is based on Mutoh’s existing ValueJet 628 eco solvent printer chassis. To cover the specific requirements of packaging designers and to adapt the printer chassis to the unique characteristics of the CGS ORIS XG INKS, we have developed an innovative mild temperature, low pressure hot air knife system which, in combination with the integrated contact heaters, allows the CGS ORIS XG INKS to dry on uncoated substrates without exposing them to excessive heat. The media transport system has been optimized to allow loading of a wide variety of flexible substrates including very thin PE shrink film and the pressure rollers transporting the substrate can be individually disabled. To tackle the white CGS ORIS XG INKS, we have integrated an internal ink circulation system. The ValueJet 628MP printer is also equipped with a 10 kg roll take-up system and has a sheet off mechanism to sheet off individual prints”, Takatsu concludes.
