Digitally Printed Packaging: Opportunity for Commercial Printers?

At HP, the focus on packaging is with HP Indigo digital presses. Christian Menegon, worldwide business development manager at HP Indigo, reports that "digital printing is not as well advanced in packaging as it is for labels because of the specification of the machines we had on the market until now. Digital presses were not the right size for the packaging applications where the print is the package." However, Menegon notes that "our new machines that we showed at drupa close that gap: 30˝ wide for web, and B2 format (750x530mm) for sheets." The Indigo 30000 will print on substrates up to 600 microns or 24-pt.