Innovation drives sustainability - In this spirit, leaders of the packaging industry such as SOMA, Flint Group, Miller Graphics and Futamura, joined forces to create print samples on film. At the SOMA Flexo Challenge Conference 2019 held in Czech Republic, the live printing of the print design showcased that sustainability is a top priority with high print quality result.
Printing and Lamination by SOMA
Czech Republic based SOMA, producer of flexographic printing presses, slitter rewinders, laminators, plate mounters and die-cutters. SOMA flexographic printing press Optima 2 dramatically enhances print quality, make-ready times, and running costs and therefore reduces ecological impact. The main focus is to implement sustainable technologies, such as water based ink system and reduce make ready in terms of time & waste. With the ARUN system the registration and impression is adjusted automatically without any operator effort. The result is that jobs get up to speed faster and there is almost zero feet of setup waste. The SOMA Ink Cartridge system offers printers a means of reducing ink costs by minimising ink volume and residual waste.
Thermal Printing Plates and Printing Ink by Flint Group
With the ambition to become the innovation leader in flexographic plates, sleeves and ink solutions, Flint Group addressed this challenge by delivering nyloflex XFH thermal printing plates, a flat top dot plate for flexible packaging, processed with the nyloflex Xpress Thermal Processing System. The benefits of this solution result in 30% less waste, up to 88% reduction in electricity and a plate processing time of only 45 minutes. This sustainable solution reduces operating costs, improves productivity while delivering excellent print quality.
Flint Group’s FlexiPrint MV inks are nitrocellulose-based inks which have been optimised for high quality flexographic surface or lamination printing on a wide variety of films. The inks provide excellent rub, water and heat resistance, and printability at high printing speeds, whilest being low in odor. FlexiPrint MV inks are tested according to the “Seedling” and “OK Compost” label, suitable on a wide variety of compostable packaging films and applications.
Pre-Press by Miller Graphic
Miller Graphics is a solution provider within the graphical industry. As an expert leader and reliable partner in printing techniques and digital brand imaging we empower brand owners to add more value to their brand assets, both instore and online. We do this with passion and place their interests at the heart of our relationship.
Within this project Miller Graphics has been responsible for the reprographics and colour management for the print design. Their expertise in color management makes them an excellent partner in proving the best printing result on any kind of substrate and printing press. Regarding this project they have adopted the design to deliver the best print quality on the bio-based substrate with environmentally friendly inks. This is done by using state of the art techniques for colour management, proofing and screening techniques.
