Focus Label Machinery Ltd

A Quick Guide To Hybrid Printing Solutions

25-04-2025

Bridging The Gap Between Narrow Web Flexographic Printing and Digital Printing with Converting Features

Hybrid printing can be a confusing term in the print technology sector, so in this short article, we are going to unpack what the term means and how your labels & Packaging business can benefit. Essentially, hybrid printing is a method that combines two established printing techniques into a unified strategy – In our world flexographic or flexo printing, and digital printing.

Flexographic printing is historically the go-to method for high volume Packaging , labels and textile print businesses because of its reliability and cost effectiveness in volume, whereas digital printing offers businesses and their clients far greater flexibility, faster changeover times, and personalisation opportunities, making it perfect for producing small batches and variable designs.

By integrating these two approaches with converting & finishing you get an extremely versatile printing and finishing platform that delivers the speed and efficiency of flexographic printing with the adaptability of digital. This equips your business to meet a wider range of emerging market needs without compromising production times or quality.

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Scalability and cost efficiency for all print runs

Due to recent improvements in technology the big benefit of flexographic printing is its consistent quality over long print runs, making it ideal for large-scale production and repeat projects. However, this standardisation frequently comes at the expense of customisation and scalability. Short print runs and runs that need frequent adjustments can be costly when using a flexographic press due to the setup and plate making costs. Digital technology cuts out the need for plates, enabling you to accommodate shorter runs and variable data more effectively. With a hybrid solution, you can switch between these two modalities seamlessly, giving you the ability to, for instance, produce thousands of preprinted labels as you would with a flexo press, but using digital heads to apply unique details, messages, or promotional code to sections of the print run.

A true hybrid solution will include converting & finishing in the same pass, for example, over varnish, spot Varnish , Over Laminate, Embossing, Die Cutting, Foiling & Embelishment.

Applications of hybrid printing technology in packaging and label printing

Hybrid printing has a variety of applications for print management companies, providing precision, efficiency, and flexibility. For example:

Food & drink packaging: customers often require vibrant, durable packaging for food and beverage products that communicate safety and freshness while meeting UK and EU regulatory requirements. Hybrid printing gives you the flexibility to produce large-volume print runs with the same cost effectiveness of flexo, while customising nutritional information or adding promotional codes to some labels through variable data printing.
Cosmetic and healthcare product labelling: hybrid printing solutions open a range of print finishing possibilities to reflect the luxury and intricate detail often required for cosmetic and health products. Alongside variable product information tailored for different sectors, your print runs can include metallic finishes, gloss varnishes, and other finishes to meet your customer’s needs.
Label and packaging printing for consumer products: hybrid printing lets you produce cost effective promotional and seasonal packaging and label printing with the ability to incorporate local promotions, limited edition designs, and QR codes within the print run without significantly impacting costs and set up time.

What next?

At Focus Label

, our team are here to help you adapt to evolving market demands with the versatility and cost effectiveness of both digital and flexo techniques. To find out about our printing machinery and how we can support your operation, please phone 01949 836 223

, or send us a message by

clicking here.

For more information on A Quick Guide To Hybrid Printing Solutions talk to Focus Label Machinery Ltd