Domino Printing Sciences, a leading digital printing solutions provider, will launch the N730i Integration Module for integration into flexographic presses, a K300 monochrome printer — a compact, flexible solution to add variable data printing capabilities to analog printing lines, and the N730i-F, a lower-speed variant of the N730i digital label press, at Labelexpo Americas in Chicago from 10-12 September.
At Labelexpo India in Delhi-NCR from 14-17 November, the new K300 will be featured. The company will also introduce a cost-effective hybrid print system, the Domino N610i-H, at its partner’s stand during the show. The N610i-H is built on the company’s N610i platform, which is already popular in the Indian market.
The N730i Integration Module allows converters to work with their preferred OEM partner and Domino to create a customized digital hybrid printing and finishing solution. This technology comes in response to the growing demand for digital hybrid printing and finishing. The N730i-F features Domino’s Brother BITSTARTM printhead and iTech technologies at a lower investment, offering high-quality 1200 dpi label print at 50 mpm with the option to upgrade to 70 mpm.
“We will showcase our new label print monitoring and inspection systems for the N730i, developed in collaboration with Domino Group Company Lake Image Systems — the R-Scan. It gives converters the confidence they need to produce high-quality labels, and allows for unattended operation while enhancing efficiency, and reducing waste,” said Russell Weller, head of digital color, Domino Printing Sciences.
Weller adds, “As a global company, we have to invest a lot of time in keeping track of regulatory requirements affecting business in different regions – with chemical reclassification keeping our ink formulation team busy. Product compliance requirements can vary from country to country, even if ever so slightly, with additional approvals required to meet local demands. Logistics and tariffs can be an issue. Some countries impose import limitations, i.e. in the case of Japan for specific types of ink.”
With legislation worldwide looking to drive more sustainable packaging, there has been a lot of interest in corrugated packaging. Domino invested in developing a digital printing platform for corrugated boards, the X630i digital corrugated press. Digital printing of corrugated packaging enables design variations and shorter on-demand runs preferred by eCommerce sellers, driving reductions in stock holding and waste.
Domino is looking at Asia, with offices in India, China, Korea, and Indonesia and a strong network of distributors and partners across the region. Weller says, “We’re putting more and more people on the ground. Last year, we were the first big player to establish a subsidiary in Indonesia for our coding and marking business. South-East Asia is a key region. The well-established Indian market is among the most dynamic and successful regions for us. Not just as a key market from a sales point of view, it is a hub for development and product manufacturing. We have been in India for a long time, and we will continue to invest to support that growth.”
On industry trends, Waller says there has been a strong growth in demand for hybrid printing solutions. “We saw the potential early on and invested strongly into developing products that help converters enhance their flexographic lines with digital variable data printing capabilities. Converters are driving to maximize production capacity, looking for hybrid lines that will reduce changeover times between labels, and inline RIP software that takes the delay out of variable data printing, increasing efficiency and output”.
Domino continues to thrive and grow, as interest in variable data printing and digital printing increase. The company is investigating potential new applications for technology in other areas of the digital printing market. Domino technology is already powering book print, with several installations in India.
“We are focused on driving business in the Indian region and our team is working on these aims, with many exciting local developments regarding products. As India becomes more open and globally competitive, we will invest to support it as a key part of our global infrastructure,” he concludes.
