At Lapelexpo Americas on 9–11 September Goss will continue to put the case for its Sunday Vpak’s flexible configurations in label and flexible packaging, the firm announced on 3 July.
Peter Walczak, Goss International’s director of product management for packaging presses, said the space for offset in labelling and flexible packaging is bolstered by “the rise in SKUs” with “print runs that are too long for digital, but too short for profitability”.
“Our web offset solution can turn marginal short-run jobs into sustainable, profitable ones, with the advantage of plate and imaging costs that are a fraction of those associated with flexo and gravure. Web offset also ensures far greater flexibility and control, and allows converters to offer their customers later artwork deadlines.”
Goss also claims its web offset approach offers premium print quality, greater colour control and the standardised, repeatable web offset process, as well as the ability to handle a wide variety of substrates, including films as low as nine microns, at high speeds.
Goss’s commitment to packaging and labels was underlined with the launch in April of its Packaging Technology Center at the company headquarters. Featuring a Sunday Vpak 500 with seven web offset units, EB and UV curing, and flexo coating, the centre provides demonstrations, testing and educational programmes. It has been used on substrates for in-mould and shrink labels as well as cut-and-stack labels and stand-up pouches.
Precision Press (USA) installed the first Vpak 500 for label and flexible packaging last year and Goss has since shipped the wider format Vpak 3000 for board printing.
Goss Vpak 500 and Vpak 3000 web offset press models for folding carton, flexible packaging, preprint and label applications are available in web widths from 520mm to 1,905mm (20.5” to 75”) and print at speeds of up to 457m/min. Key features include quickchange sleeve adapter technology for efficient, cost-effective size changes, and advanced offset inking, tension and control systems.
“With options for integrating flexo, gravure and digital stations into a Vpak press configuration to form a hybrid production line, this technology delivers flexibility without compromise,” said Walczak.
“Any converters or brand owners feeling the pressure on lead times and price for short to medium run lengths should come and see us at Labelexpo Americas to find out more about the game-changing capabilities of Sunday Vpak technology.”