SUN CHEMICAL AT LABELEXPO: Opening Minds and Changing the Narrative

Ahead of LabelExpo in September, Sun Chemical has launched an innovative demo campaign which highlights the amazing potential of digital inkjet printing for Labels.

With the adoption of digital printing as a mainstream technology in certain markets, high-speed, single-pass printers now produce high-resolution prints with strong colors and fine details. As a result, the discussion shifted from technical aspects to overall benefits with digital print technology.  Digital print is a complex interaction of physics, chemistry, precision engineering and advanced software, with the focus on the specifications, sometimes to the detriment of the value technology creates for brands and converters.  In the packaging space great print quality is essential, but the printed article must function in its role as part of a package – it needs to be cut, glued, laminated etc. while maintaining the key application functionality.

Sun Chemical focuses on the performance of the printed item and why brands and converters should consider digital printing as a viable tool to use alongside other print processes to optimize performance, efficiency and process management.

In this short film, Allan Bendall explains the thinking behind the launch of this innovative campaign

To clarify the decision to employ digital print Sun Chemical created an inkjet demo kit that demonstrates how inkjet printing can deliver key benefits for the packaging and labels market.  The concept, being shown in its first iteration at LabelExpo in Barcelona, includes a range of packaging applications using a connected design concept rolled out across multiple formats.  The design allows for multiple versions of the same SKU to be printed in rotation on a digital press, allowing different versions of a design within the same print run of labels, pouches, flowraps etc.  Sun Chemical worked with a range of partners to create finished packs using this design concept with different ink, press and processing technologies.

Dr Simon Daplyn expands on the benefits of digital inkjet printing for labels

The benefits of digital printing are displayed, including on-the-fly design changes and QR codes showing the potential for connected packaging whilst performing as part of a functional piece of packaging.  Samples include:

·       Digitally printed UV ink on self-adhesive labels applied to glass bottles

·       Flexible pouch reverse printed on PE barrier film with water-based digital ink and laminated to white LDPE

·       Flowrap reverse printed with water-based digital ink on PE barrier film laminated to white LDPE

·       Uncoated carton board digitally printed with UV ink

Sun Chemical’s Inkjet Demo Kit will be showcased in Hall 3, Stand D92 at LabelExpo Barcelona from 16-19 September.

Learn more about Sun Chemical’s comprehensive offering for Labels & Packaging at LabelExpo Europe 2025: https://pgo.sunchemical.com/l/62722/2025-07-24/3vzvlxp