Partnership brings water-based digital inkjet technology into commercial flexible packaging production, improving efficiency, sustainability and short-run manufacturing.
Tokyo, Japan: Chiyoda Gravure Co., Ltd. and SCREEN Graphic Solutions Co., Ltd. have announced the start of full-scale commercial production of flexible packaging using the Truepress PAC 830F water-based digital inkjet press. Installed at Chiyoda Gravure’s Itako No. 2 Plant, the system marks a significant step in advancing digital production and sustainable manufacturing within the flexible packaging sector.
The collaboration aims to help packaging manufacturers address increasing demand for high-mix, low-volume production driven by shorter product lifecycles, greater product variation, and evolving consumer preferences. By combining digital inkjet technology with conventional gravure printing, Chiyoda Gravure has established a production workflow capable of efficiently handling small- and medium-volume packaging orders.
The Truepress PAC 830F uses water-based pigment inks and a plateless digital printing process, eliminating the need for printing cylinders during production. According to the companies, this significantly reduces preparation time, colour matching, and cleaning operations while maintaining print quality comparable to conventional gravure printing.
Chiyoda Gravure expects the new production system to support brand owners with faster product launches, regional and seasonal packaging variations, and test-market campaigns. The digital workflow also enables more efficient inventory management by allowing production in the required quantities, reducing excess stock and SKU complexity.
From a sustainability perspective, the water-based printing process minimizes solvent consumption and reduces waste associated with plate production and setup, contributing to lower environmental impact. The company estimates that production preparation time can be reduced by approximately 70% compared with traditional printing processes.
The digital production initiative forms part of Chiyoda Gravure’s Eco Smaart program, which focuses on delivering environmentally responsible, high-value packaging solutions through digital printing technology.
Looking ahead, SCREEN Graphic Solutions and Chiyoda Gravure plan to expand digital printing adoption in flexible packaging while maintaining an optimal balance with conventional gravure production. The companies have set a target of achieving approximately 10% digital printing production by 2030, supporting greater production flexibility, improved productivity, and sustainable growth across the packaging industry.
source : SCREEN Graphic Solutions Co., Ltd.