Heidelberg/Gallus Highlights Digital Printing, Converting at Labelexpo Europe 2019

Gallus, a Heidelberg Group Company, shows the range of possibilities for digital and con-ventional label printing and converting. The hybrid label press Gallus Labelfire combines industrial inkjet printing with conventional label printing at printing speeds up to 70 m/min and further shows a range of digital finishing possibilities with the integrated Digi-tal Embellishment Unit (DEU) at Labelexpo.

The “Your Smoothie” campaign explains to visitors how full Variable Data Printing is work-ing. On the Gallus Labelmaster visitors can see the newly launched Digital Printbar for dig-itally printed opaque white as well as a new rotary, quick-change die-cutting unit and fur-ther optimized features for conventional narrow web printing.

With the motto “Powered by Your Trust,” Gallus and Heidelberg show live at Labelexpo Europe 2019 two Gallus Labelmaster presses, the Gallus Labelfire and the Gallus Smart-fire.

The Gallus Labelfire is designed for digital production of narrow web products, especially self-adhesive labels. In 2018, AWA Alexander Watson Associates estimates the global pressure-sensitive label market grew by about 5%. Interest in digital printing, in addition to analog and hybrid print solutions, is one of the market drivers in this regard, according to the AWA Global PSL Market Study 2019.

The Gallus Labelfire, a hybrid label printing press, combines the flexibility of digital print-ing with the advantages of conventional printing and converting. The shown machine demonstrates a range of finishing possibilities – flexo printing and cold foil embossing combined with digital finishing with the Digital Embellishment Unit (DEU). If integrated inline, as shown during Labelexpo 2019, the digital finishing technology of the DEU cre-ates tactile relief effects and matt or gloss spot coatings in various thicknesses digitally. Inkjet low migration inks for the Digital Printing Unit (DPU) of the Gallus Labelfire, Hei-delberg Saphira Digital inks, were introduced.

The “Your Smoothie” label explains to Labelexpo visitors what the very best of full varia-ble data printing (fullVDP) with the Gallus Labelfire looks like.

Gallus unveiled the new Digital Printbar at Labelexpo Europe 2019, an inkjet printing unit designed specifically for digital insetting of highly opaque, digital white. With a printing width of 430 mm (17”), the new, shiftable Digital Printbar benefits from inkjet-based dig-ital print technology and achieves a very high opacity similar to screen printing.

As an integral part of the digitization campaign, the Gallus Smartfire digital label printing press is also shown live at Labelexpo. Ideal for short runs that are constantly changing, this press is a cost-effective, professional solution for anyone who is looking to move into digital label printing.

All the possibilities of hybrid label printing with the Gallus Labelfire is on show at Labelexpo Europe 2019 – from highly embellished labels produced using the integrated Digital Embellishment Unit (DEU) to digital inkjet printing and fully variable data printing (Source: Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG)