The new Gallus One is based on the proven Gallus Labelmaster platform, with elements also taken from its hybrid Labelfire press. 

The press prints UV inkjet at 1,200x1,200dpi in four colours plus optional white.

It uses Fujifilm Dimatix printheads with inks developed in conjunction with Gallus owner Heidelberg’s ink testing labs. 

The 340mm-wide device runs roll-to-roll at up to 70m/min. 

Gallus said the press involved a complete ecosystem encompassing workflow, inks, predictive systems, inkjet technology and the press itself. 

Features include a newly-designed and streamlined ink management system that allows ink replacement “without contamination – even while the press is running”. 

The white ink offers 85% opacity.

Gallus Group chief sales and service director Dario Urbinati said the press had “the capability to drive the next big opportunity in labels”.

“With cloud capabilities in-built within Gallus One, you can not only enjoy remote set-up, but transparent performance monitoring and standardisation across your press portfolio and manufacturing sites.”

Although Gallus declined to provide pricing details for the new press, the firm stated that it would deliver “the most competitive TCO”.

It is taking orders now for shipment in “early 2023”, and is targeting everything from start-ups to “large and mature” label businesses. 

The Gallus One also integrates with Heidelberg’s Prinect cloud-based workflow system.

Gallus Group CEO Dr Frank Schaum also confirmed that the firm’s new Customer Experience Center at St Gallen was under construction and is expected to open later this year, and had been designed to further label industry cooperation and collaboration.

“Once open, we will invite customers, brands and suppliers from across the eco system to use the new facility to meet and share solutions, as well as develop new ideas to help solve key industry issues and create new opportunities.”

Heidelberg’s previous foray into digital label printing came with the Linoprint L, based on CSAT inkjet drop-on-demand inkjet technology and shown at Labelexpo Europe in 2013. 

However, Heidelberg subsequently sold the CSAT operation to Markem-Imaje, although Gallus retained distribution rights for the offline/nearline Linoprint L for a time afterwards.