Patrick Graber is Strategic Marketing Manager at BOBST. FuturePrint spoke to Patrick about how DIGITAL MASTER modular label solutions help label producers grow their businesses, boost productivity, remain competitive, and meet sustainability goals.

How does the modular nature of the latest DIGITAL MASTER launches benefit label producers as they grow and evolve their businesses in the long-term?

The modularity and its on-site upgradability gives converters peace of mind. Investment in such a solution is future-proof and offers very low investment risk - if the market, applications, etc. change, the machine can be easily adapted, if new technologies or features become available, it can be implemented as well.

What are the business benefits for businesses that don’t currently have printing, embellishing and cutting integrated into a single solution?

End-to-end solutions enable very fast turn-around times, flexibility in production scheduling, and premium pricing form short delivery times. Customers are using it to optimise productivity and increase profitability with new business models (e.g. guaranteed 3 day delivery).

How does the ability to tailor the DIGITAL MASTER products to a business’ individual needs aid in productivity?

These products delivery industrial productivity (up to 100mpm), high uptime, and agility in production. By moving shorter, less profitable flexo jobs to digital, as well as moving longer runs from digital toner presses to the DIGITAL MASTER series products, label producers can free up time on flexo and toner presses which can be used for more suitable and profitable jobs on those machines. We talk about blended realities, increased productivity through co-existence of different technologies (digital toner, UV inkjet, flexo), where the DIGITAL MASTER series is bridging the gap between traditional digital and conventional.

Does the digitalized, automated production line contribute to more sustainable operations, i,e. through less waste?

Absolutely, with the inclusion of ACCUCHECK we strongly believe that we can reduce the environmental impact due to waste reduction and reprints. But we believe it also improves the overall sustainability of the production floor. Setup of flexo presses for short-runs generates relatively high waste ratio compared to a UV inkjet machine. With all automation features in the DIGITAL MASTER series allowing for colour to remain extremely stable without the need of frequent colour calibrations, we believe we managed to reduce waste and increase productivity. 

When additional modules are released after installations, can users upgrade their current setups?

Customers can upgrade their machine with all available solutions. We know from traditional inline flexo machines, all modules available for our BOBST Master M5 Flexoplatform can be easily integrated. Moreover, we are able to integrate most special equipment from third parties upon request. 

Does a more automated and versatile solution help converters contend with current challenges such as labour shortages and supply chain challenges?

Yes. It’s not only the automation, but the ease of use, which is one of the key criteria for BOBST when developing products. All products should not only be digitalized and automated, but also be very easy to use and able to be operated and serviced by one person. When we look at supply chain issues, the modularity helps customers to overcome mainly material shortages, having the flexo units before the digital printing engine which can be used for inline pre-print coating which increases the material compatibility.  

How do the products in the DIGITAL MASTER series help converters remain competitive?

Through production floor optimisation by using all the technologies for which they have been designed, increasing profitability and reducing cost.

 How can interested parties see the models in action?

The machines can seen through live-online demo or in person in our competence center in Firenze and soon also in the one in Alpharetta US and Mex Switzerland.