Mark Andy | 59Mark Andy unveils Digital Pro Max mid-market strategyMark Andy is targeting the latest Digital Pro press, now including digital white, at its traditional label and converter customer base. Compact Finishing MachineAndy Thomas-Emans reports t Labelexpo Americas 2022, Mark Andy launches the latest version of its Digital Pro toner-based press, the Digital Pro Max, now adding digital white to the standard CMYK and Aincreasing speeds to 130ft/min (40m/min).This is the third generation of the Digital Pro (DPro) line that uses Konica Minolta’s toner-based imaging technology. The DPro Max provides end-to-end fexo and digital print capabilities. With the new digital white print technology, clear and metallic substrates are supported without the need for a traditional fexo printing plate. As with the existing Digital Pro systems, a full suite of converting and decorating modules are available. The partnership between Mark Andy and Konica Minolta has Mark Andy launches Digital Pro Max press at Labelexpo Americasbeen in place for over fve years, successfully leveraging the strengths of each company - Konica Minolta in digital marking technology and Mark Andy in web handling, converting and robust “The cost structure of the Digital Pro narrow web press design. To date, there are more than 300 Digital One/DPro press installations.Max works well for our customers in The development of the DPro press line represents, in many ways, a return to founder Mark Andrews’ original vision of the company the middle part of the fexo market. serving the mid- and entry-level sectors of the narrow web market with presses like the 2200.CMYK at this price point and speed ‘Mark Andrews built the company on the middle of the market,’ has not been seen before. The white states Greg Palm, executive VP of marketing and business development at Mark Andy. ‘It’s the same market segment for will challenge anything out there”our DPro digital strategy. They have the same wants and needs, except we are serving them with digital printing technology. That is because digital is more cost-effective for short runs, and the middle legacy press sector. Greg Palm estimates this represents 50 percent tier downwards have the same short run needs as the big guys, of the installed narrow web press base, so there is a lot to play maybe more.’ for. Although obsolete legacy presses are paid for multiple times Palm recalls that Mark Andy’s digital strategy started at the top over, they still require skilled operators and generate waste on v v Full servo driven Semi-rotary/rotary die cuttingend of the market. ‘We began by developing the HD Series inkjet changeovers.press, which is in the same class as the Performance Series - a ‘Converters told us that they are fnding it diffcult to retain solid high-end production press which can be a multi-million- the expertise they had when they started their company,’ says v v Splice table & web guide Easy strip waste rewinderdollar investment. Then seven years ago, we heard from our middle Palm. ‘The DPro Max delivers both intuitive operation and waste market customers that they needed a digital label press, but at a reduction. On the DPro Max, the process colors are in register v v Lamination Turret rewindingprice they could afford. It was clear that we needed to start again immediately. Decorating and converting technologies can be added with our traditional customer segments. Digital means different to the base press, or a customer can start with a roll-to-roll press things to both smaller and larger guys.’ and upgrade later.’ Continues Palm, ‘We spent a lot of time fguring out what In addition to the new digital CMYK+W printing technology, would be a good match between technology and market needs. Mark Andy has further engineered the press to change over quickly, We researched multiple technology partners, including inkjet with minimal waste. Mark Andy has automated die setup to and toner systems. Finally, we went with toner technology that make the converting end of the DPro even more effcient and less VISIT US!Konica Minolta had originally developed for a different market. dependent on operator skills.In partnership with Konica Minolta, we set about designing the ‘The cost structure of the Digital Pro Max works well for our Digital Pro press with those customers’ words and needs - we were customers in the middle part of the fexo market,’ says Palm. opening a new market segment. It’s the customers that give you ‘CMYK at this price point and speed has not been seen before. The the right direction. white will challenge anything out there. Add to that Mark Andy’s ‘Our relationship with Konica Minolta has involved trips to Japan demonstrated ability to service and support their customers, and SEE IT LIVE AT LABELEXPO AMERICASto discuss image quality and the range of materials required by this will be a good thing for global converters. They will have an label converters because a partnership only works when we are option they’ve not had before.’ working to the same outcome. Together we have demonstrated BOOTH # 3615that there are benefts of not having to go to million-dollar Mark Andy will demonstrate its DPro Max at Labelexpo investments.’Americas (www.labelexpo-americas.com).The big prize for Mark Andy’s Digital Pro strategy lies in the Jul - Sep 2022VISIT US!