Whilst choosing not to display any equipment on its PacPrint stand, Screen GP Australia still had plenty to talk about, with MD Peter Scott recently returned from the Hunkeler Innovation Days, Switzerland, where Screen was a major exhibitor.
Whilst choosing not to display any equipment at PacPrint, the Screen team used vivid print samples and video to showcase the continued progress of inkjet
“The Hunkeler Innovation Days were a real eye-opener for me,” says Scott, “and clearly showed that the progress of inkjet as a major print process is unstoppable.”
Using videos and print samples, Screen looked o bring its labels and packaging options to life, showcasing the Truepress PAC 520 – designed to produce recyclable, sustainable paper-based wraps and packs that replace micro-plastic producing hydrocarbon-sourced plastics – and the Truepress L350UV series, also brought through its partner Jet Technologies.
The ‘Screen team’ also showed working demonstrations of software and EQUIOS workflow as well as updates on the latest 4pp, 8pp and VLF setters (up to 48pp) for its CtP customers. “We still receive enquiries for CTP and sell a number of units each year, but as with other areas of the industry, the main focus these days is on workflow and we’re confident that the Equios solution provides a robust workflow for processing files and provides a level of automation that works well for CtP and print-on- demand products. It also facilitates more versioning and personalisation options by managing the 
Recently retired Screen-ee Alan Gilkes (left) with Chihiro Ayaki from Screen Japan & Screen Australia MD Peter Scott variable data through the Equios workflow.”
With certain plastics still having a role to play in liquid and food packaging, Screen also showed samples of production from its Truepress PAC830F: a huge 830mm, 21m long web machine that ‘is simply too big for today’s trade shows’. While on the commercial print side, there were examples of book, brochure and magazine work from the Truepress Jet 560HDX aimed at showing how inkjet can match offset quality.
Scott notes: “The 560HDX was a star at Hunkeler Innovation Days. Printing on standard offset paper media and finished on Hunkeler lines across a 560mm web, the colour and resolution is amazing, and obviously a more economical option with no plates and minimum wastage, as well as the ability to run several jobs in one print run with no interruptions.”
Screen also used video demos to help customers understand the advanced drying capability of the Truepress Jet 520NX-AD: a 225 metres/min speed machine configured for both CMYK colour and Mono (K only) print, with the ability to ‘park’ the CMY printheads and save ink. Print samples from this machine included pharmaceutical multi-folded leaflets using finishing by partner company Ibis, UK.
Scott also said that Screen is developing a cutsheet SRA3 inkjet print system, due to be released later this year. The inks are similar to the 560 HDX, which means it is capable of printing on offset coated stocks.
