Sydney-based Kirk Group reprographic company has provided a customised solution for RollsPack Group, a family-owned flexible packaging company, enhancing its flexible packaging printing capabilities.
Ben Prout, Group technical manager at Kirk Group, explained that they worked alongside XSYS and Hybrid Software to deliver a solution that met or exceeded RollsPack’s quality standards while providing a more competitive price point. The team focused on selecting the right combination of plate and specialised screening technologies to achieve the desired outcome.
The solution utilised technologies, including the nyloflex NEF D printing plate, which is designed for efficient creation of flat-top dots with UV LED exposure. The Velvet Screening technology from Hybrid Software, which reduces harsh edges and creates smoother prints, and ThermoFlexX Woodpecker Nano, known for its high-frequency surface micro patterns. These technologies worked in synergy to meet RollsPack’s criteria for quality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
Thanh Huynh, print manager at RollsPack, said the ink laydown on surface print is among the best the company has seen in flexibles. He also highlighted the superior performance when printing on white ink base layers, which typically suffer from reduced density, and the minimal hard edges due to velvet screening.
By using water-based inks instead of solvent-based inks, RollsPack achieved the same high-quality print, demonstrating a successful integration of sustainability with cutting-edge technology. Mr Huynh emphasised that Kirk Group plays a fundamental role in helping us push the boundaries of flexo printing.
Kirk Group’s investment in ThermoFlexX technology from XSYS, including the Catena+ automated plate processing line, has been a game-changer for the company, it said. Chief operating officer Robert Selvaggio highlighted the success of the Melbourne-based Catena+ line, which has tripled the company’s capacity and improved plate quality. With plans to expand this technology into its Brisbane and Sydney facilities, Kirk Group is positioning itself for continued growth and innovation in the flexo printing space.
“This partnership with RollsPack has been incredibly successful, and we’re excited to continue collaborating with them as well as other clients to innovate and drive the future of flexo printing,” concluded Roy Schoettle, vice president of XSYS Asia Pacific.
