HP Introduces HP PageWide C550 Press for Corrugated Printing
HP introduced its most recent high-speed, post-print digital corrugated press, the HP PageWide C550 Press.
This advanced single-pass platform is developed to assist converters in optimizing manufacturing expenses and enhance operational efficiency for the production of corrugated box printing.
HP PageWide C550 Press
Based on the award-winning, field-proven technology of the C500 press, the C550 delivers enhanced productivity and value to the industrial packaging industry. It utilizes HP’s Thermal Inkjet technology and authentic water-based inks to provide constant offset print quality at fast production speeds while sustaining packaging converters’ circular economy goals.
With a speed of 90 linear meters per minute (295 linear feet per minute), the C550 press can constantly create high-quality Flexo and Litho corrugated boxes without slowing. It will help converters optimize inventories, reduce obsolescence, and accelerate turnabout times through the digital printing process.
By allowing improved economics, more significant production versatility, and sustainable packaging options, the C550 press offers a substantial opportunity for business growth for suppliers facing increasing supply chain pressure. It permits them to say ‘yes’ to jobs that need flexibility, which can only be accomplished with digital production.
David Tomer, General Manager of HP Post-print corrugated solutions, said, “HP is continuing its investment in the packaging market to create new opportunities for packaging converters and brands to benefit from the analog to digital transformation. We are very excited to deliver the C550 press to the corrugated industry. It is built on the field-proven success of the C500 press and allows converters to economically produce Flexo and Litho boxes at high speeds without slowing down the press. We are constantly working on innovative solutions that not only improve post-print stability and productivity for converters but also meet the quality and flexibility demands of brands for packaging.”
It is readily available for installation afterward this year; the latest press runs at a constant speed of 90 lm/min (295 lft/min), providing outstanding print quality. The press supports expanded plant capacity and allows reduced manufacturing expenses for corrugated packaging production.
Corrugated box packaging expert Saica Group ordered the C550 for their operations in Viana, Spain. The company is committed to digital transformation and using innovative technologies to respond to the growing demand for shorter, customized runs. The press will be installed later this year and will support increased plant capacity for corrugated packaging production.
HP recently teamed with HYBRID Software on prepress workflow for packaging to smoothly transition artwork from lithography and flexography formats. HYBRID PackZ delivers a unique blend of automatic actions and dedicated prepress devices. The proficient PDF editor prepares designs for any print operation by enhancing them with priming and finishing breakup, handling ink settings and object-based screening, and using them to trap and develop dynamic marks and panels. HYBRID PackZ will allow C550 converters to prepare files efficiently, and decrease errors, making prepress easier and more productive.
