The Gallus Group, a subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, presented the Gallus MatteJet technology at Labelexpo Americas 2024. A process that enables a high-quality matt finish that was previously not possible in digital inkjet printing.
MatteJet was developed at the Gallus Innovation Centre as an example of HEIDELBERG’s orientation as a total solution provider for all printing processes. Visitors to Label Expo were able to see how MatteJet can change the market segment for wine and spirits labelling and open up a new business area for printers and converters.
Glossy surfaces, which characterise digital inkjet technology, are one of the biggest barriers to the application of this technology in labels and packaging, particularly in premium segments such as wine and spirits labels where brands traditionally expect a high quality matt finish. Until now, this has only been possible through conventional printing processes or additional finishing with matt varnishes. Printers can now achieve a high quality matt finish at the touch of a button without changing colours or adding varnish for overprinting. In addition, MatteJet enables brand owners to benefit more than ever from the advantages of digital printing, such as short runs, personalisation and on-demand printing.
‘The development of Gallus MatteJet technology marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of inkjet printing, opening up a world of new possibilities and ultimately completely changing the foundation of what is possible with inkjet technology,’ comments Dario Urbinati, CEO of the Gallus Group. ‘By making matting accessible to digital inkjet printing, we can bring a whole new market segment to printers and converters without the need for significant investment in separate offset solutions.’
The new finishing process uses state-of-the-art technologies and was developed as part of the company’s ongoing research and development work at the Gallus Experience Centre. ‘The new MatteJet technology is revolutionary not only in terms of the possibilities it opens up, but also in terms of its development,’ Urbinati continues. ‘We opened the Gallus Experience Centre with the vision of a dynamic, collaborative centre of excellence that will drive significant, meaningful change in the industry. Gallus MatteJet is an example and a testament to the kind of transformative developments that can be achieved when this vision is combined with real insights into today’s market needs and, of course, the essential resources and expertise of our parent company HEIDELBERG.’
The latest version of the Gallus One celebrated its trade fair debut at this year’s Labelexpo. With a printing width of 430 mm, the label printing press opens up even more application possibilities. Interested visitors were able to see for themselves the opportunities offered by the extended colour space and the integration of Saphira inks in orange and violet.
Gallus
The Gallus Group, a subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG with production facilities in Switzerland and Germany, is a global leader in the development and production of conventional and digital narrow-web web presses for label and packaging printing. Its range of services also includes consultancy services for printing and process engineering tasks. Gallus has around 300 employees, 160 of whom work at its headquarters in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
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