The label industry is undergoing rapid transformation. Shorter runs, increasing customisation, and regulatory demands are reshaping production requirements. Converters and printers must balance productivity, flexibility and compliance, while responding faster to market needs.
To address these challenges, BOBST has developed an integrated digital ecosystem for label production that combines advanced press technology with compliant consumables. The system relies on two key innovations: the FLEXJET module and Thalia UV Digital Inks, which are designed to provide efficiency, versatility, and regulatory compliance.
The European Digital Printing Association (EDP) has recently recognized these solutions. Both the FLEXJET and Thalia UV Digital Inks received EDP Awards, which honour innovation and technological advancement in digital printing.
FLEXJET is integrated into the BOBST DIGITAL MASTER series platform, a modular, all‑in‑one press designed for end‑to‑end digital label production. It enables a fully digital, single-pass process for complex applications such as multilayer labels, sandwich printing, backliner printing, and glue-side printing. This simplifies production while reducing start-up time by up to 60%, cutting waste by 30%, and doubling output.
With this level of efficiency, converters can profitably handle short runs and complex jobs while meeting brand owner expectations for traceability, compliance, and customisation. As new regulations such as Swiss Ordinance 817.023.21 and German Printing Ink Ordinance (GIO) demand stricter control over ink formulation and migration behaviour, compliance has become a major challenge.
Thalia UV Digital Inks are specifically designed to address these requirements. The inks are TPO-free and exclude more than 20 groups of substances of concern, including PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenols, aligning with current and future regulations.
In addition to compliance, Thalia inks deliver strong performance, including speeds up to 100 m/min at 1200 x 1200 dpi, high colour consistency, and no need for primer or inert gas in most applications.
Together, FLEXJET and Thalia inks provide an integrated digital system designed to improve operational flexibility, product quality, and regulatory compliance. The combination allows converters to transform complexity into a competitive advantage—unlocking new application opportunities, improving profitability, and ensuring long-term readiness for evolving market and regulatory demands.
