Mark Andy has unveiled the Digital Series HD HighSpeed 1200 (DSHD HighSpeed 1200), a hybrid inkjet/flexo press designed for high-speed label production. The press offers enhanced speed and flexibility, positioning itself as a key advancement in the narrow web sector.
The new model, available in 13-inch and 17-inch web widths (330mm and 430mm), operates at speeds of up to 480 feet per minute (146 meters per minute) with eight digital colors at 1200 dpi resolution. Integrated into Mark Andy’s Performance Series flexo platform, the press allows for various configurations, including roll-to-roll and full hybrid setups with inline decorating and converting options.
Achieving such high speeds in inkjet printing requires advanced software and thermal management. The press incorporates Mark Andy’s ProWORX DFE software and liquid-cooled control boards within the press chiller to handle increased data processing demands.
According to the company, the DSHD HighSpeed 1200 extends the crossover point between flexo and digital production by as much as 60%, making digital printing viable for longer runs. It can also print white or invisible security ink at full speed and supports single or full-color variable data printing (VDP).
The choice of printhead technology played a crucial role in development. Mark Andy opted for a two-head system instead of native 1200 dpi heads, citing reliability and performance advantages. Product Manager Ben Luly stated, “Our stainless-steel heads are more robust and reliable, with far fewer nozzle outages, making them the preferred choice for labels. We have a better color gamut and twice as many grayscale levels as silicon heads, not to mention a higher running speed.”
The press delivers white ink opacity above 82%, a level that competitors cannot achieve at comparable speeds, according to the company. Additionally, Mark Andy’s inter-color pinning design is said to optimize print quality across various substrates.
A key advantage of the DSHD HighSpeed 1200 is its fully integrated design, with both software and hardware developed in-house. Mark Andy, with over 80 years of experience in narrow web printing, sees the press as a significant step forward for hybrid label production.