Südpack expands SPQ to include rotogravure printing

Rotogravure printing requires the complete standardisation of machine and process parameters as well as smart colour management. All of the designs are mapped automatically in the pre-press stage using a reduced colour palette. 

Thanks to the PUR-based (polyurethane) colour system, the ink is also suitable for pasteurisation and sterilisation. This opens up a variety of options for applications that involve heating, for example for packaging ready meals, pet food or baby food. The technology is also ideal for finishing flexible films for high-quality, FMCG, such as coffee, tea or confectionery, because it can also incorporate metallic colours, like gold or silver, as well as coatings for texture and other finishes.

Using SPQ can reduce the carbon footprint of package printing. This is due in particular to the reduction of the standard colour palette from ten to just seven colours, which decreases both ink and solvent consumption. “With SPQ, we significantly reduce ink consumption, ink waste and the number of colour changes. Even though the colour palette is reduced to seven colours, it is still possible to realise virtually the entire colour spectrum as well as additional metallic colours – all while maintaining superior print quality similar that of a photo as well as excellent colour brilliance,” highlighted Enrico Riesel, senior site director at Südpack Bioggio.

In-house calculations performed by Südpack have shown that limiting the palette to seven colours leads to a savings of approximately 36.5% in a standard process for a print order for 15,000 running metres.

Additional factors in terms of sustainability include lower energy consumption and the reduction of film waste that would have usually been produced during the changeover of printing machines for the next print order. 

Südpack’s customers benefit from the reduced amount of effort required in the pre-press stage. Using a strictly defined colour space eliminates not only constant colour adjustments, but also complex and costly on-site print approval. An additional advantage is that different print designs can be combined in one print order. The new technology has high register accuracy, colour consistency and colour brilliance. The standardised colour palette can create approximately 95% of all Pantone colours.