The marketplace for packaging printing, and particularly labels, is gravitating in direction of digital print. European part editor and Inkjet Perception contributor Ralf Schlözer seems to be at a brand new entrant within the digital label house: SnapPress and the SnapPress LP-1 inkjet label printer.
(This text initially appeared on Inkjet Perception.)
The marketplace for packaging printing, and particularly labels, is gravitating in direction of digital print. This momentum is pushed by the benefit of use, short-run functionality and fast manufacturing instances of inkjet presses. LabelExpo 2023 already introduced a raft of latest units lined in earlier posts however the innovation has not stopped since. At PRINTING United 2023 a brand new participant emerged with SnapPress and the SnapPress LP-1 inkjet label printer.
SnapPress was developed out of Allen Datagraph Programs Inc, a long-standing provider of label gear, cutters and plotters, primarily based in Salem, N.H. Sensing the chance in short-run label printing with a compact, low-priced printer, Allen Datagraph’s new proprietor, Kevin Davis, kicked off the event. The corporate already had greater than 25 years of expertise in serving the label print market by distributing OEM merchandise. The corporate got here to imagine {that a} subsequent technology printer can be wanted to higher handle the market and to leverage the expertise gained in supplying and servicing the third-party printers.
The primary product to return to the market is the SnapPress LP-1. The specs firmly place the gadget within the mild manufacturing/entry-level vary. Print velocity is as much as 90 fpm (27.4 m/min), relying on the media and naturally on the decision. A number of mixtures of velocity and backbone (in transport course) are potential—as traditional, the upper the velocity the extra the decision drops. The HP FI-1000 printhead used presents a 1,200 dpi decision throughout the width of the online. An attention-grabbing idea is that the inkjet part has been designed in cooperation with HP as an interchangeable unit to permit simple replacements and low downtime. If required customers can shortly swap the unit with a spare jetting module, whereas the defective unit may be repaired offline
With an 11.7” (297 mm) print width and a 12” internet width whereas utilizing aqueous inks with 4 coloration channels (CMYK), the printer is on par with most units within the mild manufacturing vary. The printer may be very compact with a width of beneath 5 toes (1.5 m), together with the reels. Noteworthy can be the benefit of use. It contains a straightforward webbing up and an intuitive person interface through a big touchscreen. The printer is pushed by a Xitron RIP.
SnapPress LP-1 as Proven at PRINTING United 2023
SnapPress is aiming for the best-in-class print high quality. This entailed enlisting exterior assist. Our colleague Mary Schilling of Schilling Inkjet Consulting labored intently with the SnapPress crew of engineers by way of media qualification, print high quality, and automatic coloration administration integration. The goal was to assist small run label necessities, additionally for prospects at the moment utilizing standard print strategies.
Focusing on CGATS_CRPC3, 6 and seven* specs for an prolonged gamut, whereas bettering print high quality by way of ink administration and drop accuracy, this growth targeted on CMYK aqueous pigment ink label printing, which simulates the colour and print high quality of the bigger units. Mary Schilling states “The best side of this gadget is, all the colour and print high quality is cellular, wrapped up in a small footprint. Making a movable “print-hub” by way of product growth and manufacturing, providing varied media choices for easy identification and samples to high-quality branding and packaging in minutes.”
Being a compact, reasonably priced, and easy-to-use printer the SnapPress ought to enchantment to each, label printers and items producers requiring labels at their website. As it’s simple to make use of and keep, not a lot earlier expertise can be wanted. A aggressive worth level of round $80,000 ought to enchantment to a wider vary of customers as effectively. The LP-1 may very well be used as a backup or reprint resolution as effectively.
The SnapPress LP-1 was offered publicly for the primary time at Printing United 2023 and the corporate reviews a wave of orders. The primary orders are scheduled for supply by the onset of the 2023 Christmas Season. To date, the SnapPress is accessible in North America solely however the firm plans to enlist sellers in different geographies.
The marketplace for Inkjet label printers is kind of numerous and aggressive. Inkjet Perception revealed an inkjet press market overview in 2023 and the part on mild manufacturing/ entry-level label inkjet presses may be discovered right here.