At GRAPH EXPO, Scodix, Rosh Ha’Ayin, Israel, featured the Prestige box as a way to highlight digitally enhanced packaging with its digital inkjet UV and new Scodix Foil technology.

The boxes first were printed CMYK on a KBA offset press on standard SBS 300gsm paperboard, which was coated on one side. They then were decorated in two separate passes on the Scodix Ultra Pro, one for the foil and a second pass for the clear coating.

The printed sheets were loaded into the press. There were marks (printed black dots) in all four corners of the printed sheets that were used for registration. Then, the clear inkjet UV and foil PDF files were created with these same four registration dots. The press’s four cameras read these dots and adjusted the PDF file accordingly via an algorithm which distorts/rotates the file to match the printed sheet for precise registration.

For the first pass of the raised foil on the “Prestige” lettering and border, a polymer was applied and then cured via LED lamps. This curing step holds the polymer in place so that it is tacky, but not completely cured, making it act as the glue to which the foil sticks. The sheet continued on through the press, going into the Scodix foil unit, created in cooperation with Compact Foilers, using the company’s knowledge and expertise in foil. Here, the foil was applied only to the areas with the raised polymer. Finally, the sheet went through a UV station to finish the curing process.

During the second pass through the Ultra Pro press, the small UV inkjet raised dots were applied over the printed black area of the box, providing a unique and elegant touch to the design. The clear digital UV inkjet then was UV-cured in a final step in the process.

GRAPH EXPO was the first time that Scodix displayed the Scodix Foil and was the first time the foil technology was introduced to the industry. “It was a huge hit,” according to Matt Giandonato, application specialist for Scodix North America.

The process for foil and digital inkjet UV fits into the folding carton industry by changing the way people look at foil and raised UV workflows. This type of system offers a fully digital workflow that will work for static packaging, as well as for variables. By utilizing a barcode system for each package, every carton that comes off press can be unique and personalized.