Yixun112 | DigitalIn 2021, Yixun invested in the company’s frst inkjet press – a Haotian HTS330.Lv Zhitao had been paying attention to digital printing since the company began its move into labels. ‘With the purchase of this digital press, our main consideration is to understand digital printing technology through actual production, and so prepare for our future development. We also have purchased Fujiflm toner digital presses before this investment, and produced some variable, customized label products.‘We have cooperated with Haotian for a long time. The frst equipment we purchased was a Haotian rotary letterpress machine, and then we purchased two Haotian intermittent letterpress presses. Our two companies know each other very well and have established a deep foundation of trust and cooperation. We have noticed the continuous improvement of Haotian’s digital machines over the years and also had an insight into the user experience Factory foor at Yixunbefore our investment.’Before the installation of the equipment, Yixun did not do any proofng or testing. ‘Haotian has accumulated years of technical “Competition among peers is experience and market feedback, so I believe Haotian will support the equipment to the best of their abilities.’inevitable, but for long-term The digital press was installed in the middle of October 2021. At development, we need to cooperate present, the production capacity of this machine has not been fully realized, and it is operating around four hours a day.with each other for mutual beneft”‘This is all within our expectations,’ Lv says. ’At this time there are not many customers who will accept the performance of digital printing of labels. Some customers have been forced to accept the use of a digital press because of short orders or tight delivery times. Just as label converters need time to understand and accept digital printing technology, brand owners and customers also need time to embrace digital.‘What’s more, we should know that digital technology is not perfect. It is just another technology alongside letterpress, fexo or offset. We could combine our digital press with any other conventional printing technology. We are also already in communication with Haotian to purchase a second digital machine with more colors.’Today Yixun mainly produces PS labels for vehicles and boats, electrical appliances, food and beverage industries. ‘After the installation of the Haotian digital press, along with the two Fujiflm sheetfed digital machines, our company will gradually transfer proofng or small run orders from our conventional presses. We have also tried producing personalized, variable information and other special orders such as anti-counterfeit labels through a variety of Rhyguan fnishing machineprocess combinations,’ Lv says.Cooperation less than other areas of China. All this is actually obstructing the Speaking about the development of the label printing industry progress and development of the industry. Competition among in China market, Lv Zhitao says: ‘Over these years on the front peers is inevitable, but for long-term development, we need to line, I have operated different printing equipment and fnishing cooperate with each other for mutual beneft.’machines and new technology, new materials and new systems After communicating with some like-minded peers, Lv Zhitao keep emerging. This is especially important as we face increasing decided to establish the Label Branch of the Shandong Packaging competition, a looming shortage of paper, stricter environment and Printing Industry Association, which was offcially inaugurated policies and rising prices. Label converters need to focus on the on January 8, 2022. He was also elected as the leader of the new latest developments, to utilize new technologies to upgrade branch.production capacity and reduce costs.’ Regarding the future development of the association, Lv Zhitao The company’s latest investment in a Label Source in-line fexo says: ‘At present, the infuence of our branch is still relatively press is based on such considerations, with its higher production small, but we are willing to unite with all like-minded forces to effciency and automation level. strengthen communication and cultivate the awareness of win-win While focusing on the company’s development, Lv has also cooperation. I also believe more peers will see our efforts and join learned from the experience of industry peers in other regions of us in the near future.’China. ‘Compared with the consumer-driven markets of east and south China, the demand for new technology in Shandong is not For more from Yolanda Wang on the Chinese label market, go so high, and competition is fercer. And label printing peers are to www.labelsandlabeling.com/contributors/yolanda-wangmore defensive: industry communication and cooperation is much labelsandlabeling.com