Fujifilm’s Prime Label Tech Summit Takes Place in Chicago

Fujifilm North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division recently hosted a Prime Label Technology Summit at its Chicago Technology Center, showcasing innovative packaging technology trends to invited attendees.

The two-day event focused on successful solutions, allowing experienced industry professionals hands-on demonstrations of the Graphium, a UV inkjet press for labels, packaging, and specialty print; along with learning more about the Flenex series, a new, innovative flexographic plate system.

Attendees were able to get up close to the Graphium, a high-speed modular digital UV inkjet press with the option to integrate flexo and finishing stations for hybrid production and conversion in a single pass – expanding the opportunities that can be converted.

Graphium has the ability to provide profitable printing of short run jobs while boosting productivity, as well as producing new print options in flexo technology. It also requires less setup material, reduces waste and eliminates overruns.

“Unlike trade shows, the Technology Summit gave us the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate Fujifilm processes, supplies and equipment directly with their tech support and product managers,” said Jim Kiske, owner of Mulligan Printing, a St. Louis, MO-based print provider. “Seeing and touching the technology while listening to the experts, in addition to the classroom presentations, exceeded my expectations. I truly appreciated the relaxed learning atmosphere with no high-pressure sales tactics.”

The FLENEX FW water-washable plate system also drew attention. It is able to form flat-top dots and reproduce 200lpi with halftone dots from 1% to 99% Additional advantages include good ink transfer, superior compatibility with UV, water-based, and solvent inks; wear resistance and the ability to consistently maintain good product quality even when printing long-run jobs. Compared to solvent processing, drying time is reduced, productivity is increased and there is a reduced impact on the environment. The water wash system eliminates the need for solvents, wicking cloths, and thermal equipment, as well.

“The water-wash plate material is amazing,” said Johnny Melton, prepress manager, Jet Printing, White Bluff, TN, USA. “I am absolutely amazed at Fujifilm’s commitment to the industry; Fujifilm has the best infrastructure in the country.”

Attendees were also able to see a wide array of additional value-added solutions while collaborating with industry leader CGS-Oris, which discussed Flex Pack label production. Meanwhile, Esko showcased extended color gamut printing capabilities, and representatives from TLMI, the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute, spoke about industry highlights. Bob Leahey, associate director, InfoTrends, shared his thoughts about what’s trending now in the market.