Liepajas Papirs Utilizes Hybrid MPS EF SYMJET

Published: July 01, 2019

Combining the best of both worlds in flexo and digital inkjet printing, the MPS EF SYMJET press significantly helped Liepajas Papirs save material and labor costs. The MPS EF SYMJET is a symbiotic combination of the established MPS EF flexo press platform with an integrated Domino N610i inkjet unit.

Liepajas Papirs installed an MPS EF 340 UV flexo press in May 2018, reporting the press proved 30 percent more productive than any of its existing UV flexo presses.

“Our journey towards hybrid printing began at Labelexpo 2017, where we truly recognized the substantial improvements UV inkjet printing made in recent years,” said Juris Hoijers, production manager of Liepajas Papirs. “As we began discussions with Domino regarding a possible future investment in their inkjet press, at the same time a new MPS EF 340 UV flexo press was installed at our factory. With our excellent cooperation experience with MPS in mind, when we learned Domino and MPS partnered in offering a hybrid press combining UV inkjet and flexo printing, choosing the EF SYMJET press became an easy decision.”

Advantages of hybrid printing for Liepajas Papirs include ability to print shrink films, addition of flexo spot colors and spot varnishing, and elimination of most post-press processes.

Prevention of “log-jam” in post-press reduces order lead-time for Liepajas Papirs, as the inclusion of cold-foiling, laminating and rotary die cutting units on their EF SYMJET hybrid press eliminates most post-press processes — with printing and converting capability all in a single pass.

Cost-saving benefits include reduced waste, as less substrate is required when compared to a standalone digital press combined with several post-press processes. In addition, ink costs are controlled by replacing large solid areas with less expensive flexo UV inks.

For more competitive label runs, Liepajas Papirs plans to offer customers label print runs of up to 50.000 pieces on its EF SYMJET press.

“Previously, we could not offer customers the best price for this quantity of labels as it was too high for our digital printing machine, and too small for a flexo press to reach the most favorable selling point,” said Arturs Gabalins, head of the sales department. “With our EF SYMJET press, we can offer an attractive price with embellishments for mid-range label runs.”

For more information, visit www.mps4u.com or www.liepajaspapirs.lv.