I. Technical Advantages: Breaking through the limitations of traditional printing

1. High efficiency and flexibility

Digital printing does not require plate-making process, through the computer directly output files to the printing equipment, the traditional printing of 7-10 days production cycle shortened to 2-3 days. For example, a color printing plant using HP-Indigo equipment for more than 60 sets of export products to chase the sample test, the color reproduction rate of more than 90%, and the printing quality is more refined. This “on-demand production” mode is particularly suitable for small orders, a single batch of as low as 1 can also be realized, avoiding the traditional printing inventory backlog.

2. Personalization and variable data capabilities

Digital printing supports the differentiated design of each package. For example, cosmetic brands allow consumers to customize their packaging online with patterns, text, and even embed unique QR codes to prevent counterfeiting. Dunhuang Traveler Apricot Tea is digitally printed to achieve a blind box design of “6 bottles in a box, each with a different pattern” to enhance the consumer experience. This technology is also widely used in limited edition packaging for promotional activities, such as holiday greeting cards and commemorative wine labels, to meet the needs of rapid brand iteration.

3. Environmental protection and sustainable development

Digital printing reduces material waste by 30% and lowers carbon emissions through precise control of ink usage and on-demand production. For example, the Masters Cup Commemorative Wine uses a reusable double-layer label design combined with invisible ink anti-counterfeiting technology to reduce resource consumption. In addition, the application of water-based inks and biodegradable substrates further promotes the development of green packaging.

II. full penetration from labeling to flexible packaging

1. Innovation of label printing

The pharmaceutical and food industries rely on digital printing to realize high-frequency labeling updates, and Swisse Nutritional Meal Replacement Shake completes the delivery of 3 models of 4,500 labels in 5 days through digital printing, solving the problem of short-form rush orders that are difficult to cope with by traditional printing. The popularity of IoT tags is also driving the demand for digital printing, such as the combination of RFID tags and variable QR codes to improve the efficiency of supply chain traceability.

2. Intelligent upgrade of flexible packaging

Flexible packaging market to an average annual growth rate of 8%, digital printing equipment such as HP-Indigo 730mm wide-format models have been able to handle BOPP, PET and other film materials. The U.S. Printpack company through the Omnius OneShot equipment to reduce the cost of short-form orders by 40%, shortening the delivery cycle by 60%. the introduction of AI technology to further optimize production, such as computer vision systems to achieve 0.01mm precision defect detection, defective rate down to 0.003%.

III. Industry Impact: Reconstructing the value of the industry chain

1. Forcing the transformation of traditional printing

Traditional printing enterprises face short single loss predicament, while the return on investment cycle of digital printing equipment shortened to 2-3 years. After the introduction of scheduling system in a packaging enterprise, the equipment utilization rate increased from 62% to 89%, and the labor cost was reduced by 65%. Hybrid Printing (Hybrid Printing) mode is emerging, combining the advantages of digital and offset printing to meet the demand for medium and long version of the order.

2. Spawning new business models

The “Cloud Printing” platform realizes 72-hour global delivery through online design tools and distributed digital printing networks. HP cooperated with Microsoft to launch the AI design library, providing 4000+ templates for free, so that users can generate their own packaging solutions and connect directly to the printing service. The per-page subscription model reduces the threshold of SMEs and promotes the popularity of personalized packaging.

3. Accelerate brand value enhancement

Personalized packaging increases product premium by 15%-30%. Good Hope Sparkling Juice presented dynamic cherry blossom patterns through digital printing, which was recommended by Netflix after its launch and saw e-commerce sales increase by 200%. Research shows that 52% of Gen Z consumers are willing to pay a higher price for customized packaging, and digital printing has become a core tool for brand differentiation and competition.