Innovative Labeling Solutions Installs First HP Indigo GEM Unit in U.S.

Innovative Labeling Solutions purchased the HP Indigo GEM at Labelexpo Americas and will be the first U.S. company to install the one-pass digital solution for label and embellishment printing on HP Indigo narrow-web technology.
 
At ILS (Hamilton, OH), the HP Indigo GEM will operate in line with the HP Indigo 6900 Digital Press, creating the first fully digital, one-pass combination press for embellishing with combinations of foil, screen, tactile, varnish, cast and cure and other special effects, using a single point of control and one print-ready file.
 
“The HP Indigo GEM is a dramatic revolution in the digital printing industry. With the acquisition of this cutting-edge technology, we are once again positioned to disrupt, bringing a fully digital printing solution including embellishments to the marketplace,” ILS president and CEO Jay Dollries said.
 
The company also operates the HP Indigo 8000, two HP Indigo 20000 presses and an HP Indigo 6000 series platform.
 
“This… innovation allows our business to be dynamic and responsive to deliver broad range applications and creative capabilities. We are not limited to the embellishment being the same on every label, with the GEM also enabling variable embellishments,” Dollries said.
 
The HP Indigo 6900 and GEM are powered by the new HP Production Pro for Indigo Labels and Packaging. First unveiled at drupa 2016, the HP Indigo GEM was developed with JetFX, and the commercial version will be sold by HP. 
 
“The beauty of this new solution is the all-digital printing of labels with embellishments, in one process, saving time and costs and thereby creating an all-digital production floor,” said Alon Bar-Shany, GM, HP Indigo, HP Inc.
 
The HP Indigo GEM adds digital embellishments to the printing pass, enabling a fully digital, tooling-free, and streamlined production line. It enables an efficient, print process for any label type, and allows the application of digital foil, tactile silk screen-like effects, spot varnish, mini textures, digital holograms, full flood varnish in gloss and matte, and more.