“Opens up a new profitable market segment for digital inkjet printing”
by Editor, September 11, 2024
The Gallus MatteJet technology is designed to enable fast and cost-effective inline premium matting that was previously not possible with digital inkjet. (Image: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG)
The Gallus Group, a subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, wants to “change” narrow web printing with a new technology: The technology called “Gallus MatteJet” enables a high-quality matte finish that was previously not possible with digital inkjet printing, and thus opens up the application possibilities of inkjet technology to the wine label market for the first time, for example. Gallus is presenting this innovation for the first time at the Labelexpo Americas 2024 trade fair, which is taking place until September 12 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago (USA).
MatteJet was developed at the Gallus Innovation Center in St. Gallen, the Gallus Experience Center. According to Gallus, the glossy surface that characterizes digital inkjet technology is “one of the biggest obstacles to the widespread use of this technology in labels and packaging.” This is particularly true in premium segments such as wine and spirits labels, where brands have traditionally expected a high-quality matte look. Until now, this has only been possible using conventional printing processes or additional finishing with matte varnishes, which increases time, complexity and costs.
According to the manufacturer, Gallus MatteJet technology now offers a “fast, cost-effective and high-quality matting option” that is integrated directly into the digital inkjet process. This allows printers to achieve a high-quality matte finish at the touch of a button for the first time, without changing the color or adding varnish for overprinting. “The development of Gallus MatteJet technology marks a decisive moment in the development of inkjet printing, opening up a world of new possibilities and ultimately completely changing the basis of what is possible with inkjet technology,” commented Dario Urbinati, CEO of the Gallus Group.
The new finishing process uses technologies that have not been used in the label and packaging industry before, according to a press release. The new MatteJet technology was developed for integration with the Gallus digital printing unit and is a further extension of Gallus’ “System to Compose” concept, which is intended to offer maximum compatibility between the leading product lines. The “System to Compose” concept allows users to equip, adapt and remove additional units from their Gallus One to meet changing business requirements.
New version of the Gallus One
The latest version of the Gallus One, with a print width of 430 mm, will also be making its global trade fair debut at Labelexpo Americas. Trade fair visitors will also be shown the recently expanded colour space and the integration of Saphira inks in orange and violet. In addition to Gallus, Heidelberg will also be presenting various aspects of its range of solutions for labels at the trade fair. Together they will be presenting, among other things, the latest developments in their Screeny screen printing solutions and the Prinect workflow software, the link between Gallus’ System to Compose.
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