The X-Press-U packaging concept developed by UV specialist and system manufacturer IST Metz on the occasion of its UV Days 2019 won two prestigious design awards: a Red Dot Award 2019 in the Packaging Design category and a German Design Award 2020 in the Packaging category.
The well thought-out and creatively sophisticated concept combined selected capsule coffees for three different types of espresso connoisseurs. The result: flavour-coordinated fine chocolates with elaborately produced packaging.
The Flexible packaging component for the chocolates was created in a joint project between IST Metz and the DFTA Flexodruck Fachverband e.V. The flexographic printing press at the DFTA Technology Centre at Stuttgart Media University (HdM) printed the film packaging with the design developed by IST Metz in three variants.
The chocolates were then filled and the final packaging was carried out in collaboration with the HdM's packaging technology department.
Three design variants with different colours and designs
With regard to the printing of the three design variants, which are differentiated in terms of colour and design, the requirement was to realise these with CMYK, but still achieve the appearance of spot colours. In addition to opaque white and CMYK, a metallic varnish was printed and a matt varnish was used.
Köstlin Prepress Services handled the prepress conversion of the designs into files for flexographic printing. The printing plates used were KODAK FLEXCEL NXH plates from Miraclon and created with a screen ruling of 60 L/cm. The HdM has a KODAK FLEXCEL NX system, which the DFTA Technology Centre also uses alongside other systems for testing and training purposes.
The Production of flexible packaging was run on the eight-colour central cylinder press at the DFTA Technology Centre using frontal printing with solvent-based inks in the colour sequence white, metallic coating, KMCY and a final matt coating. The result was impressive with a beautiful colour impression, clear reproduction of the finest highlights and line elements as well as the sparkling effect of the metallic coating.
The realisation of this project had to be carried out efficiently and in a relatively short time. Stability and reproducibility of the print were therefore an important factor.
„Flexo sheets with flat top dots and surface structuring help here. This is also fulfilled by FLEXCEL NX plates, among others. The DIGICAP NX surface structuring ensures higher colour densities and therefore an extended colour space.“
Anke Frieser-Tausch, Deputy Director of the DFTA Technology Centre
Due to the success of the award-winning flexo packaging production, both partners have already declared their intention to tackle another joint project for the next UV Days in 2021.
Source: Miraclon Corporation
