Label printer Rako Etiketten, in Witzhave, Germany, is one of the first European users of the HP Indigo ws4050 digital label and packaging press. Owner and manager of Rako Ralph Koopmann recognized early on the potential of digital printing for short runs and sample prints. He started in 1997 with an Indigo Omnius (now the HP Indigo ws2000). In 1999, he invested in a second ws2000, followed by the first ws4000 presses in 2001 and 2003. In December, 2004, and April, 2005, the two former ws2000 models were replaced with the latest generation ws4050. Today, the company runs four HP Indigo ws4000 series presses – believed to be the only company in the world to have this number installed.
Rako uses the digital machines to print everything that cannot be produced in flexo: personalized packaging products and labels, short runs and one-off samples are the main applications. Apart from speeds twice as fast as the former ws2000, these machines also offer the capacity to print on extremely thin film material
One of the key criteria for Rako's decision to invest in an HP Indigo press was its ability to print special colours including white as well as up to 97 per cent of the Pantone Colour range, an essential requirement in the label and packaging sector.
Thomas Mehn, head of the digital printing department and print technology project manager, comments: "We have customers who insist on digital printing for short runs, because we can achieve a higher print quality compared to flexo. For example, the reproduction of smooth vignettes and complex work such as skin tones is much better in digital printing."
Ralph Koopmann, owner and manager of Rako adds: "We have managed to reduce production costs and increase profitability thanks to short makeready times, especially when producing short runs and customized products. This has enabled us to open completely new markets.
"We are definitely going to further expand digital printing," he predicts. "So it is not improbable that in 10 years we will be printing even medium sized runs exclusively by means of digital technology. Once we have found a way to produce longer runs economically, I don't see any further obstacles to the breakthrough of digital printing."
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