PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2017

LABELLING PET planet Insider Vol. 18 No. 10/17 www.petpla.net 41 LABELLING 41 really special, something visually strik- ing, as soon as they are being sent the first sample bottle, is met to consum- mate perfection by the DecoType C. “The design work only has to be done once, i.e. when the marketing depart- ment creates the labels on the PC,” says Christian Bazlen. “Except for the metallic effect, we have the same options as those offered by conven- tional printing methods.” Any printing process is subject not least to environmental influences, like room temperature, humidity, or clean and maximally accurate printing heads. All these technical parameters combine to determine the printed image’s quality. Döhler and Krones have accordingly joined forces beforehand for mapping out a defined reference layout that covers any kind of object that can be printed on using the DecoType. This reference layout is reviewed at regular intervals. Christian Bazlen believes in the future of digital container printing. For him, it is a path-breaking design enhancement of the digital office printer, since this process can be used for print- ing on three-dimensional shapes. “We wanted to break new ground in regard to sampling, and with the DecoType we’ve hit the bull’s eye. I think that it will in future be possible to use digi- tal printing for decorating any kind of container – not just round ones but also concave, convex or thermoformed bodies; in short: any special-shaped containers. Digital printing thus provides customised package designs with a clean printed image. The technology of the kind that Krones has implemented for us in the DecoType C lab machine can also be employed for higher-speed machines, and could likewise be used in any beverage bottler’s normal pro- duction operation.” www.krones.com Inkjet printing Inkjet printing is a non-contact process for printing on 3D bodies. It is fast and accurate, with an option for using different ink types. Depending on the type of ink involved, they are cured by means of UV light, for example. The print- ing process proper comprises image preparation, print profiling, and screening. To complete it, the containers are dried by curing the ink, for which UV light is used, for example, generating radicals that cause polymerisation. Digital direct container printing Digital direct printing offers its users in the beverage industry a whole series of advantages:  They can use modern decors or introduce newly developed products at short notice. This process thus enables them to respond swiftly to market changes and trends.  The increasingly frequent wish to stand out from the crowd leads to lower batch sizes with correspondingly small label print runs. Digital direct printing is a cost-efficient alternative here.  Thanks to accurately matched production quantities, there is no wastage.  Since no labels are required, there is no need for label stor- age either, nor is any adhesive now necessary for labelling.  For the design work involved, digital direct printing likewise opens up new options: for exam- ple, the haptics and the look can be combined or uneven surfaces printed on. Image templates can be utilised simply and immedi- ately. And variable data like a barcode or a BB date right up to individual-product tracking can be integrated without any problems.  By reason of its flexibility and its unique design options, digital inkjet printing is also an attrac- tive alternative for small batches or high-priced products. Döhler uses a prototype of the DecoType C digital printing system as a laboratory machine for printing on the sample bot- tles containing newly developed beverage recipes. www.bericap.com Unique range of light weight screw and sports closures for light weight PET neck standards for water • Closures for all common neck sizes 26/22, 28mm (PCO 1810, PCO 1881), 29/25, 30/25 • Light weight Hexalite range allowing light weight neck • Still water closures suitable for N 2 dosing • Sports closures fulfill BSDA requirements • Boreseal systems for excellent tightness • Consumer friendly opening forces BERI CAP Technology for still water