Heidelberg and Gallus launch new matte finishing technology for digital inkjet

Packaging Solutions

Gallus Group, a subsidiary of Heidelberg, is poised to transform the narrow web print landscape with its latest research breakthrough: Gallus MatteJet technology. The innovation represents an important advancement in inkjet printing, unlocking a premium matte finish previously unachievable with digital inkjet, bringing the possibilities of inkjet technology to the wine label market for the very first time.

MatteJet was developed in-house at Gallus’ innovation hub.

At Labelexpo Americas 2024, Gallus is exhibiting alongside Heidelberg, where it will explain how this transformative innovation addresses one of the key challenges that has historically restricted the growth of digital inkjet technology. Importantly, visitors at the show will also learn how MatteJet will transform the entire market segment for wine and spirit labels and provide converters with the key to a profitable new area of business growth.

The glossy finish inherent to digital inkjet technology has been one of the foremost barriers to its widespread adoption across labels and packaging – specifically in premium segments such as wine and spirit labels where brands traditionally expect a sophisticated matte finish. Until today, this was only achievable through conventional printing, or the addition of post processing equipment to utilise matt varnishes, adding time, complexity and cost.

Now, Gallus MatteJet technology delivers fast, cost effective, and high quality matte finishing capabilities, integrated directly into the digital inkjet process.

This will allow converters, for the first time, to achieve a high end matte finish at the touch of a button, without changing inks or adding overprint varnish, eliminating the need for external finishing processes or separate conventional machines. By removing one of the key barriers traditionally restricting the expansion of inkjet printing, Gallus’ new innovative process presents an enormous opportunity for converters to now access a highly profitable market segment previously dominated by offset printing. Importantly, MatteJet will also enable more converters and brands than ever before to enjoy the benefits of digital printing, such as more profitable short runs, personalisation, and on-demand printing – representing a huge leap in the industry’s digital transformation.

‘The development of Gallus MatteJet technology marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of inkjet printing, opening up a world of new opportunities and ultimately, completely transforming the very foundation of what is possible with inkjet technology,’ commented Dario Urbinati, CEO, Gallus Group. ‘By unlocking matte finishing for digital inkjet, we will be able to make an entirely new market segment accessible to converters without the sizeable investment into separate offset solutions – boosting profitability and exemplifying our commitment to building a new era of flexibility that will enable our industry to thrive long term.’

‘The new MatteJet technology is revolutionary not just in the opportunities it opens up, but also in what its development represents,’ continued Dario Urbinati. ‘We opened the Gallus Experience Centre with a vision for a dynamic, collaborative industry hub that would drive significant, meaningful industry change. Gallus MatteJet exemplifies and is testament to the kinds of transformative developments that can be achieved when you combine this vision with real world insights as to what the market needs today, and of course the essential resources and expertise of our parent company, Heidelberg. MatteJet truly embodies our long term mission and brings the smart, connected print future within touching distance.’

Designed to integrate with Gallus’ Digital Printing Unit, the new MatteJet technology also represents further expansion of the company’s System to Compose concept, which provides unprecedented levels of compatibility across its leading product lines. Under the System to Compose, converters can add, adjust and remove units to their Gallus One as their business needs evolve – now further expanded to comprise workflow and service options as well as equipment, following its overwhelming reception at drupa 2024.

The latest iteration of the Gallus One also makes its global tradeshow debut at Labelexpo, in the newly expanded 430 mm web width, unlocking more application possibilities than ever before. Visitors to the stand will see first hand the possibilities achievable with its recently extended colour gamut, with the integration of orange and violet Saphira inks developed jointly in-house with Heidelberg, and helping converters to achieve shelf standout for brand differentiation.