Emerging Printing Technologies: Digital Carton Printing and Beyond

The quest for innovative printing technologies that can surpass the traditional methods like laser, inkjet, offset, and flexographic printing has been a long-standing challenge. While there hasn't been a significant breakthrough in decades, recent advancements in digital printing offer promising new solutions. This article explores the latest developments, focusing particularly on digital carton printing, which is rapidly gaining traction in the market.

Current Landscape of Printing Technologies

Traditional printing methods such as laser and inkjet dominate the office printing sector, while offset and flexographic printing hold sway in high-volume industrial settings. However, the evolution of digital printing technologies is gradually changing this landscape. Digital printing is steadily gaining market share, particularly in segments that were previously the domain of offset and flexographic printing, such as labeling and packaging.

Digital Carton Printing: A Game Changer

One of the most exciting developments in the printing industry is digital carton printing. This technology is currently on the verge of becoming mainstream, with an annual market value of approximately $80 billion. As traditional industrial digital players like HP and Durst begin testing and deploying fixed-array printing machines, the future of carton printing looks promising.

Technology Behind Digital Carton Printing

The key to this technology lies in the fixed array printheads, which are fitted with thousands of individual printheads positioned statically. As the media runs under these printheads, the result is a significant boost in speed. According to industry estimates, the output can reach up to 10,000 cartons per hour, making it vastly superior to traditional offset and flexographic printing methods.

Advantages of Digital Carton Printing

Speed: Fixed-array printheads enable extremely high production speeds, making the process more efficient.

Quality: The output quality is comparable to or even surpasses that of offset printing, with better resolution and color accuracy.

Versatility: Digital carton printing can handle a wide range of materials, making it suitable for various applications.

Environmental Benefits: Water-based inks used in digital carton printing are more eco-friendly, reducing the environmental impact.

Leading Players in Digital Carton Printing

Several companies are at the forefront of this technology. For instance, Durst, one of the early adopters, is currently in the beta testing phase with advanced fixed-array machines. On the other hand, HP has not only developed a similar technology but has also obtained the necessary approvals for printing food packaging. The company plans to strengthen its presence in the industry with RD activities and manufacturing operations in Israel.

Implications for the Printing Industry

The entry of digital carton printing into the market is expected to disrupt traditional printing methods, especially in high-volume production environments. Companies like Durst and HP seem well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, as the technology is projected to reach a significant market share in the coming years.

Conclusion

While the printing industry has seen limited advancements in recent decades, digital carton printing represents a significant leap forward. With its superior speed, quality, and versatility, this technology is poised to revolutionize the packaging industry. As more companies adopt this innovative technology, we can expect to see a shift towards more efficient and eco-friendly carton printing solutions.

Stay tuned for updates on Drupa 2020, where digital cardboard printers are likely to be the standout feature, showcasing the future of carton printing technology.