V-Shapes (Bologna, Italy), an supplier of vertically-integrated products and services for convenient, hygienic and sustainable single-dose packaging, has launched the V-Shapes VS dflex nearline reel-to-reel printer for printing the top layer of its unique single-dose sachets that can be opened with a single gesture using one hand. This compact, professional-grade printing system, Powered by Memjet DuraFlex, makes it easy to print flexible packaging on site, eliminating the need to outsource printing or to tie up other printing equipment in a plant – especially for shorter runs of customized sachets. VS dflex inks were designed for food packaging and specially formulated for quick drying after printing, allowing the substrate to be ready for use with the V-Shapes Alpha fill-and-seal packaging/converting machine. The VS dflex touchscreen interface makes it easy for operators to manage the printing process efficiently with minimal training.
“We’ve always had an objective of making high-quality printing available for our packaging/converting machines, to meet customer demands for faster time to market, personalization and more,” said Christian Burattini, CEO of V-Shapes. “We accomplished that earlier this year with the integration of the TrojanLabel T2 high-volume digital label press into our V-Shapes Prime single-lane packaging machine, and we have plans to integrate inline printing into our six-lane Alpha machine as well. But for those Alpha machines already in the field, or that will be acquired prior to availability of inline printing, we’ve developed VS dflex, a more productive reel-to-reel printing solution that makes it easier for packaging converters and fillers to accomplish the complete manufacturing process for our unique, single-dose sachets under one roof, with a compact footprint. In this configuration, the bottom layer of substrate is printed inline in black only.”
The VS dflex reel-to-reel nearline printer takes advantage of the speed and image quality of Memjet’s DuraFlex multicolor A3+ printhead and water-based pigment inks, along with the advanced features and colour-management capabilities of the ColorGate Packaging Production server – a RIP and colour-management solution for industrial packaging printing that delivers high quality, colour-accurate printing at 1,600 dpi at speeds up to 24.7 meters per minute (90 feet per minute). It uses certified recyclable substrates, either sourced from industry leader SIHL or with V-Shapes proprietary materials. “Our strategic partnership with SIHL is particularly valuable thanks to the ability to print very high quality with aqueous ink and no pre-treatment on SIHL Artysio laminates,” Burattini added. “They also have our specific materials stocked in Germany and the U.S. to ensure fast and timely delivery.”