Tecnomac: From Lamination to Direct Printing – A Shift That Could Redefine POP & Display Production

Tecnomac is now promoting a different approach: printing and finishing directly on corrugated board, without a separate substrate and without lamination. If this model works consistently at industrial scale, it does not just improve one stage of production — it simplifies the whole workflow.

That is why this topic matters. The question here is bigger than print quality alone. It is about cost structure, production speed, labour requirements, time-to-market and the changing role of corrugated board in high-end retail applications.

Tecnomac is an Italian equipment manufacturer established in 1976. Since its foundation, the company has specialized in the production of finishing machines. Today, Tecnomac focuses on lamination, print enhancement and post-press solutions, including technologies for corrugated board applications.

To better understand what exactly is changing, corruga.expert interviewed Giulio Moruzzi, Export Sales Manager at Tecnomac.

“Printing directly on corrugated board is a real game changer”

“Printing and finishing directly on corrugated board, without compromising flute integrity, is a real game changer for high-end retail displays.”

The Problem the Industry Accepted for Years

corruga.expert: What was the real problem customers came to you with?

Giulio Moruzzi:
The industry relied on a fragmented workflow: printing on a separate substrate, then lamination, then mounting onto corrugated board. In practice, this meant multiple machines, more handling, higher costs and a greater risk of defects.

Not Just a Technical Issue — A Structural One

corruga.expert: So the issue was not only technical?

Giulio Moruzzi:
Exactly. The model required more labour, more floor space and higher energy consumption. Every additional step introduced complexity, variability and cost. In the POP and display segment, where speed and flexibility are critical, this approach has become unsustainable.

Why the Old Model No Longer Works

corruga.expert: Why did this approach reach its limits?

Giulio Moruzzi:
Because it was designed for long runs and stable production. Today converters face short runs, frequent design changes, tight deadlines and sustainability pressure. At the same time, the shortage of skilled operators has become a major constraint.

What Tecnomac Changed

corruga.expert: What is different in your solution?

Giulio Moruzzi:
We integrated the process. Customers can now print directly on corrugated board, eliminating the need for a separate substrate and the lamination step. Printing and finishing become a single continuous workflow.

What About Print Quality?

corruga.expert: Many converters still worry about quality.

Giulio Moruzzi:
Modern inkjet technology, combined with controlled board surfaces, delivers the required quality for POP and display. The key advantage is predictability — what you print is what you get.

Impact on Costs and Operations

corruga.expert: What changes economically?

Giulio Moruzzi:
The impact is clear: less labour, less space, less energy and less waste. The result is a faster, more flexible process with a much quicker ROI.

A New Role for Corrugated Board

corruga.expert: Does this change the role of corrugated board?

Giulio Moruzzi:
Absolutely. Corrugated board becomes the final printed substrate, combining structural strength with high-quality graphics. This is a major technical, economic and environmental shift.

Already Running in Industrial Production

corruga.expert: Is this proven in real production?

Giulio Moruzzi:
Yes. We have installed this integrated finishing line at a major European corrugated board producer. The system allows production of high value-added applications, including retail stands and POP displays, while maintaining structural performance.

Sustainability as Part of the Process

corruga.expert: Can it handle sustainable materials?

Giulio Moruzzi:
Yes. The system works with compostable and bio-based materials, including corn-based films. The technology ensures clean edges and stable performance, even with next-generation materials.

Protected Innovation

corruga.expert: Is the technology protected?

Giulio Moruzzi:
Yes. It is covered by European and international patents, protecting the integrated finishing architecture.

corruga.expert – Closing Remarks

This is not just about improving a machine.

It is about removing a step from the process.

If lamination is no longer required, the impact goes far beyond finishing. It affects cost structure, production logic and the role of corrugated board itself.

And that is why this shift matters.