Mimaki and Esko have teamed up in a joint development project to simplify digital packaging production for packaging converters and commercial printers.
The Original Good Package System (OGPS), a design-to-finish system, is aimed at streamlining digital packaging production for companies that produce packaging samples, small packing runs and personalised packaging goods.
"Packaging converters, commercial printers and design firms are experiencing a growing demand for a more cost effective means of producing samples, mock-ups and small lots of customised or personalised packaging," said Mike Horsten, marketing GM of Mimaki EMEA. "Our goal was to simplify the process of packaging design and production to bring professional packaging design within the reach of original goods manufacturers of all sizes.
"By combining a subset of the market-leading ArtiosCAD software by Esko with affordable printing and cutting technology from Mimaki, our OGPS is well-positioned to change the way small lot packaging is designed and produced."
The OGPS features three elements: the ArtiosCAD Designer Solution, the Mimaki UJF-6042 and the Mimaki CFL-605RT. The ArtiosCAD is CAD software for package design, which comes with 400 templates as well as tools for original mock-ups. The UJF-6042 flat-bed printer has a maximum print dimension of 610 x 420mm and is suitable for printing on a range of objects and packaging materials. The CFL-605RT compact cutter supports on-demand production with multiple functions such as cutting and creasing also for packaging and cushioning.
Users can also use specialised tools to create their own custom designs and include them in the final design. The system offers a solution not only for the design and creation of product packaging and cushioning but also for printing directly onto a product. Users that don't need the predesigned templates available in the ArtiosCAD DS software can create custom designs with the guide function.
"Once a design is final it can be printed on the UJF-6042 in full colour and if needed with varnish effects,” said Horsten. “The printed design can then be cut and creased using the CFL-605RT cutting plotter that matches the printer size. A finished package can literally be produced in minutes, either as a mock-up or sample using actual target substrates, for small lot packaging production, and even personalised or serialised packages. This total solution will allow designers, packaging converters, commercial printers, and small manufacturers to revolutionise the way they design and produce small lot packaging."