The French digital printing and finishing equipment manufacturer claims the Jetvarnish 3D Web Color+ is the first roll-to-roll digital press on the label market to offer a complete inline system without any makeready or tools.

“Tools and dies are very expensive so the cost is reduced without the need for these,” said MGI marketing and communications manager Clémence Mathieu.

Features on the press, which uses Konica Minolta’s drop-on-demand piezoelectric printheads, include foiling and inline die-cutting, slitting and rewinding. The machine can also be used to create flat or tactile effects, with relief varnish and spot UV varnish up to 232 microns.

“One year ago, the launch of our Meteor Unlimited Color at Drupa, a sheetfed digital press with integrated inline digital hot foiling, represented a real technological breakthrough on the printing market,” said MGI chief executive Edmond Abergel.

“This machine has been a great success and generated a lot of interest from our label market customers and prospects. They wanted to benefit from the same integrated concept on our roll-to-roll embellishment press, the Jetvarnish 3D Web.”

MGI said the press can be used to print from one proof up to full label production, reaching speeds of between 10m/min and 20m/min at 1,200x1,200dpi resolution on a 330mm web width. When not printing four-colour, the manufacturer said the machine can print at up to 42m/min at a width up to 420 mm.

The press can embellish any substrate that has been pre-printed offset, flexo or digital, with or without variable data. The machine’s integrated AIS SmartScanner sheet registration system is said to ensure that any spot or 3D varnish and digital foil has accurate registration on the fly.

The Jetvarnish 3D Web Color+ will receive its global show debut at Labelexpo in Brussels this week and commercial availability is due to follow next year. Pricing for the machine, which will be distributed in the UK by Konica Minolta, has not yet been revealed.