Fujifilm announces first J Press FP790 sale in the Americas

Fujifilm has announced the first sale of its J Press FP790 digital flexible packaging press in the Americas, with Quantum Flex Pack purchasing the system for its facility in Rockford, Illinois. The deal represents the sixth global sale of the press since its launch and marks an important step in the adoption of digital printing technology for flexible packaging.

Installation of the press at Quantum Flex Pack's production facility began earlier in August. The company intends to use the technology to expand its flexible packaging capabilities and respond to demand for shorter production runs, greater product variety and faster delivery times.

Digital printing targets changing packaging requirements

Flexible packaging producers are increasingly dealing with shorter product life cycles and a wider range of packaging formats. Traditional printing processes can require significant preparation and changeover time, making shorter runs more challenging from an economic and operational perspective.

The J Press FP790 is designed to address these requirements by eliminating conventional make-ready and changeover downtime. This allows converters to move between jobs more efficiently and can reduce lead times for customers requiring smaller or more frequently changing print runs.

High-speed production with digital technology

The press can operate at speeds of up to 164 feet per minute, with a maximum substrate width of 31 inches. Its digital printing system uses 1200 × 1200 dpi resolution with CMYK inks and two white ink channels designed to provide high white opacity.

The system's wide colour gamut also allows converters to reproduce Pantone colours without relying on additional spot-colour inks. This can simplify production while maintaining the colour requirements of branded flexible packaging.

Water-based inks and reduced waste

One of the key characteristics of the J Press FP790 is its use of water-based primers and inkjet technology. Fujifilm positions the system as a more streamlined alternative to conventional analogue printing, with the potential to reduce waste and the number of consumables required during production.

The digital workflow also eliminates the plate-making stage associated with traditional flexographic and gravure printing. This can reduce preparation requirements and make the production process more flexible, particularly for shorter runs and jobs that require frequent changes.

Integrated quality control

The J Press FP790 incorporates an integrated inspection tower for real-time quality control. This allows print quality to be monitored during production and can help identify issues before they result in significant quantities of defective material.

The press is also designed to produce high-quality output with a wide colour gamut, enabling converters to move some jobs traditionally produced using flexographic or gravure processes onto a digital platform.

Designed for existing flexible packaging workflows

Rather than requiring a completely separate production environment, the J Press FP790 has been developed to integrate with existing flexible packaging processes. Printed materials can continue through conventional downstream operations such as lamination, slitting and finishing.

This compatibility is particularly important for converters considering digital printing as an addition to their existing production capabilities rather than a complete replacement for analogue equipment.

Digital flexible packaging continues to expand

Quantum Flex Pack's investment highlights the growing interest in digital printing as flexible packaging manufacturers seek greater production flexibility. Digital systems can be particularly attractive where shorter runs, rapid turnaround and frequent artwork changes make conventional setup processes less efficient.

The first J Press FP790 sale in the Americas therefore represents more than a new equipment installation. It demonstrates the continuing expansion of digital printing into mainstream flexible packaging applications, where productivity, colour consistency, regulatory requirements and material efficiency are becoming increasingly important factors in production decisions.