Why is owning the best printing equipment for high-volume packaging production crucial to success across industries? The answer lies in the dozens of examples of brands making a name for themselves by creating beautiful product packaging.
When a boutique sparkling water brand launched its product, they were up against much more established brands yet still succeeded. Their product was more expensive and had less hype, but the packaging was unique. Instead of a plastic bottle, the beverage came in cans. The printing on the cans was bold and immediately recognizable. The matte finish and tall, slender cans grabbed consumer attention and kept it. The packaging accomplished what a sales team could not — telling a story and establishing the brand as a premium beverage company.
The packaging became a silent salesperson, working for the company when other employees were off the clock. The cans and shipping boxes influenced merchandisers’ decisions to carry the brand and place it where it was noticeable. Printers work quietly in the background to enhance recognition and reach new customers.
Top 5 Printing Equipment for High-Volume Packaging Production
In a significant-volume production facility, the silent salesperson must remain consistent and be scalable as demand grows. Having the right equipment ensures the silent sales force gains maximum visibility. Fast printing equipment must be durable enough to keep up with demand but still deliver the quality and flexibility needed to keep pace with competitors.
Several factors determined which machines work best for large run packaging needs, including:
| Volume | Flexibility |
| Materials | Image quality |
| Color matching | Setup cost |
| Durability | Sustainability |
After considering the eight factors above, the following are the top five printing equipment options for high-volume packaging production.
1. Fujifilm Jet Press FP790
The Fujifilm Jet Press FP790, created for industrial-scale usage, is an excellent choice for manufacturers needing a flexible option. It can perform single-pass water-based inkjet printing, which results in color accuracy. The FP790 works best with flexible packaging but handles PET and BOPP films. Fujifilm’s press integrates with larger workflows and is known for speed and durability. The machine allows for more frequent design changes while remaining compliant in the food and wellness sectors.
Key Features
| True 1200 dpi resolution | Up to 790 mm wide |
| Fast turnaround | Food-compliant inks to meet safety regulations |
2. Bobst RS 3.0 HS Gravure Press
The Bobst RS 3.0 HS Gravure Press may be the solution for companies needing something speedy for ultra-high runs. It works best with flexible substrates and excels in extremely long runs, offering reliable uptime. Bobst is known for advanced automation, including the TAPS system for faster turnovers. The printer provides peace of mind for companies needing to meet the demands of big box retailers.
Key Features
| Works with solvent- and water-based inks | Quick changeovers |
| Automated tension control | Eco-ink compatible |
3. Xeikon TX500
Best for high-volume label and flexible packaging needs, the Xeikon TX500 offers dry toner technology. Some of the advantages include being more resistant to heat and being odorless. The finish is food safe. The Xeikon handles short and medium production runs efficiently, but can also scale up for larger production numbers.
Key Features
| Highly durable 1200 dpi resolution | Inline finishing workflows |
| Heat-sensitive applications | Varied substrates without varnish |
4. HP Indigo 200K Digital Press
Engineers created this versatile printer to handle converters needing precision at high volumes. It works best for on-demand flexible packaging and can significantly reduce setup time. As HP releases new models, the machines become faster and more adept at printing. HP Indigo’s Liquid Electro Photography (LEP) offers excellent gravure-matching results, including extensive white areas. The complete solution includes priming, drying and finishing.
Key Features
| On-demand flexible packaging | FDA-compliant inks |
| Sustainable materials | Workflow automation |
5. Kodak PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press
This ultra-fast, web-fed inkjet printer reaches speeds up to 410 meters per minute. Users say it has an offset-quality output. The speeds allow for increased productivity and long-run jobs. The printer is best for massive-volume packaging like catalogs, mailers and sleeves. Kodak’s Prosper 7000 Turbo Press excels in operations where speed and scale are more crucial than format changes.
Key Features
| Print quality up to 175 lpi | Width up to 648 mm |
| Food- and toy-safe inks | Uncoated, coated and matte/gloss stocks |
Printing Equipment Checklist
When selecting printing equipment for significant packaging production, keep these aspects in mind:
- Production Volume: Can the equipment handle your output without bottlenecks? What about in a year, three years or five years?
- Print Quality: What is the highest resolution the printer is capable of?
- Color Fidelity: Is the color accurate enough to establish consistent brand imaging?
- Substrates: Does the printer support the packaging materials you use?
- Speed: How quickly can the printer produce your product packaging and labels and maintain quality?
- Automation: Will the printer connect with cloud-based technology and automate some of your processes?
- Sustainability: Does the printer have an option for eco-friendly ink and substrates? Does it work alongside food-safe inks?
- Onboarding: Does the company offer training or support?
Use the handy table below to compare the options and find the best equipment.
Printing Equipment Comparison Table
| Printer | Volume | Quality | Color Accuracy | Substrates | Speed | Automation | Sustainability | Onboarding |
| Fujifilm Jet Press FP790 | High, scalable for flexible packaging | 1200 dpi | Pantone coverage | PET, BOPP, flexible films | 50 m per minute | Yes, integrates with workflows | Water-based, food-safe inks | Yes |
| Bobst RS 3.0 HS Gravure | Ultra-high, best for long runs | Gravure standard | Analog reproduction | Flexible substrates | Varies | TAPS, tension control | Eco-ink | Yes |
| Xeikon TX500 | Medium-high, scalable for labels and sleeves | 1200 dpi | Toner-based consistency | Flexible substrates, labels, coated or uncoated | Not specified | Workflow tools | Food-safe dry toner | Yes |
| HP Indigo 200K Digital Press | High, best for on-demand | Offset-like LEP | Gravure-matching ElectroInk | Flexible packaging | 56 m per minute | Cloud-based | FDA-compliant ink, less waste | Yes |
| Kodak PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press | High, best for huge volume | Up to 175 lpi | Offset-class drop placement | Coated or uncoated | 410 m per minute | Analytics and quality control tools | Water-based, food- and toy-safe ink | Yes |
Emerging Trends in High-Volume Packaging Printing
The packaging industry is embracing automation along with nearly every other category. Modern presses combine artificial intelligence with smart sensors and robotic parts to create workflow systems that reduce manual labor. The future of printing equipment will result in higher uptime and fewer human injuries.
Consumers are also demanding safer, more eco-friendly options. Brands need food-safe inks that reduce any negative environmental impact, like low-VOC formulas. Sustainable substrate materials also help brands meet consumer expectations and fulfill regulatory obligations.
In a competitive environment, a product’s quality may be the only thing that helps it stand out. Today’s printing equipment offers built-in inspection features and can make corrections automatically to prevent costly errors and reduce waste. The latest trends are crucial to remaining competitive.
Choosing the Right Equipment
The best printing equipment for packaging production depends on each manufacturer’s needs. Leadership must consider the return on investment and whether the equipment will scale based on projected company growth models. How complex maintenance and training are also plays a role in which printer each company selects to fulfill their needs. Whether leadership wants to upgrade equipment or find new technology, investing in printing equipment that aligns with industrial goals matters.
The future of packaging is here — if brands want to keep up, they have to change before Industry 4.0 marches on without them.
