For much of its life, inkjet sat on the periphery of mainstream print. It was valuable and versatile, but rarely viewed as core production technology. That perception is now changing rapidly. Across labels, packaging and commercial print, inkjet is increasingly being deployed not as a complement to analogue processes, but as a central manufacturing tool.
This shift is being driven by practical realities rather than novelty. Shorter runs, faster turnaround times, demand for premium finishes and growing sustainability pressures are forcing printers and converters to rethink how value is created on press. In that environment, advanced inkjet is no longer an experiment. It is becoming infrastructure.
Inkjet built for industrial production
One of the most significant changes in recent years is how inkjet systems now behave more like industrial manufacturing equipment than traditional digital print devices. Advances in printhead design, particularly in high-viscosity jetting, have expanded what is possible at speed and at scale.
Xaar’s piezoelectric drop-on-demand technology, for example, can jet fluids up to around 100 centipoise, far thicker than conventional inks. This capability opens the door to high-build varnishes, textured embellishments, dense pigments and functional coatings that were once the exclusive domain of screens and plates.
Just as importantly, these systems are designed for consistency. Recirculating ink paths keep pigments in suspension, automated maintenance routines reduce downtime, and controlled laydown enables repeatable results across longer runs. The result is inkjet that supports production reliability, not just digital flexibility.
Why this matters for today’s print market
The growing interest in digital embellishment is a direct response to market pressures. Premium labels and packaging rely heavily on tactile and visual differentiation, yet traditional embellishment processes are often slow, labour-intensive and poorly suited to short runs or frequent changeovers.
Labels, in particular, should no longer be thought of as purely two-dimensional. Increasingly, they are becoming three-dimensional brand assets. We refer to this as label typography, where print is contoured in the third dimension using varying heights, textures and effects to create impact and shelf presence.
Advanced inkjet allows this to happen with minimal setup and significantly less waste. Our Jet iQ digital embellishment platform, powered by Xaar’s Versatex Printbar, demonstrates how converters can achieve screen-like finishes while retaining the responsiveness of digital production. This applies whether producing a single SKU or hundreds.
High-viscosity jetting also delivers benefits beyond embellishment. In corrugated applications, thicker inks mean less water on the board, which reduces drying times and energy consumption. In high-throughput environments, those gains translate directly into productivity and cost efficiencies.
Sustainability is another critical factor shaping adoption. Digital workflows eliminate the need for screens, foils and many consumables, while room-temperature jetting significantly reduces energy demand. As brand owners face tightening environmental targets, these efficiencies are becoming a baseline expectation rather than a competitive advantage.
Where innovation is heading next
What differentiates Xaar’s technology is its industrial heritage. Many of the same printhead platforms used in packaging and labels are also deployed in automotive, glass, electronics and renewable energy manufacturing. That crossover brings durability, precision and reliability that are essential in production environments.
Looking ahead, developments such as the ImagineX roadmap and increasingly sophisticated waveform control will enable a broader range of fluids to be jetted. This will unlock new possibilities in tactile finishes, protective layers and functional coatings. These are all areas where printers and converters are actively seeking new ways to differentiate their offering.
The broader trajectory is clear. The future of print will be shaped by technologies that combine creative freedom with industrial performance. Short-run customisation, premium packaging and more sustainable production models are no longer niche trends. They are becoming standard practice.
Print is evolving quickly, and operators who explore what this new generation of inkjet can deliver will be best positioned to stay competitive as the market continues to shift.