Interview with Javier Quesada, CEO of Kento Digital Printing at SuperCorrExpo 2024.
Please explain what you do.
What we have is a hybrid machine specifically designed for corrugated packaging. It prints using flexo and digital technologies in one pass.
The reason we do this is that the cost of digital inks is approximately ten times higher than the cost of flexo inks.
Sometimes, when you print a box with digital technology, the cost of the digital ink can be more than the cost of the paper. So, for the backgrounds and solid colors, we use flexo technology. For the high-quality graphics and images, we use digital technology. The most difficult to print with flexo are process colors and high-quality graphics, which are easier to print with digital.
Kento Digital Printing is a pioneering company in the field of industrial digital inkjet printing, specializing in hybrid printing solutions for the corrugated cardboard industry. Headquartered in Borriana, Castellón, Spain, Kento is renowned for its innovative Kento Hybrid® printing line, which combines the advantages of digital inkjet and flexographic (flexo) printing technologies.
Conversely, solid colors are very expensive to print with digital but are easy and low-cost with flexo. Additionally, since our machine is designed for corrugated packaging, we have added a rotary die-cutting module in line, allowing us to print flexo, digital, and die-cut in one pass.
Our machine is 80 inches wide, making it the widest machine on the market, with printing directions of 52 or 66 inches. The machine is fully modular, so you can start with a basic configuration of one feeder, a flexo unit, and digital printing. As your market grows, you can add modules and expand up to three flexo units, a color priming application unit, varnish application, rotary die-cutting, and a stacker.
This hybrid and modular approach reduces the initial investment, making it suitable not only for large corrugated manufacturers but also for mid-size and small players in the market.
You know the word sustainability, right?
Yes, very important. Digital printing is very sustainable because there is no waste, and you don’t need water. Our machine uses LED technology, which has very low energy consumption. This is another important factor—no need for water and very low energy consumption.
Thank you for the beautiful and smart information. Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Reporting from Orlando by Igor Tkalenko – corruga.expert
