The QuickLabel QL-850 is a durable, wide-format tabletop color label printer that features moisture-resistant, dye-based Natura™ inks. A patented gear design and advanced smooth tracking system result in exacting registration and superior 1600 dpi print resolution on a wide range of media types

AstroNova has introduced the QuickLabel® QL-850 and the TrojanLabel® T3-OPX, two new digital color product identification solutions that continue the Company’s mission of helping customers set themselves apart from the competition.

The QuickLabel QL-850 is a durable, wide-format tabletop color label printer that features moisture-resistant, dye-based Natura™ inks. The QL-850 is built upon the proven, continuous-production platform used to power the Company’s high-production TrojanLabel printers. A patented gear design and advanced smooth tracking system result in exacting registration and superior 1600 dpi print resolution on a wide range of media types.

The TrojanLabel T3-OPX is a next-generation overprinting system that allows customers to digitally print high-resolution color images directly on a broad range of products including cardboard, postcards, boxes, paper bags, fabric bags, wooden planks, or thicker objects like blister envelopes, cases or folded boxes ready for shipment. The T3-OPX can print images up to 11.7″ (297mm) wide in a single pass. It also features newly formulated pigment inks that are water-resistant as well as highly resistant to UV light exposure. For customers, that means vibrant, long-lasting color and superior durability. The T3-OPX is a versatile solution for commercial printers, print shops, manufacturers, contract packaging solutions, and secondary logistics partners.

“Both the QL-850 and the T3-OPX deliver a return on investment that will delight our customers,” said AstroNova President and CEO Greg Woods. “With consumers making buying decisions in a matter of seconds, these new printers are the ideal solution for printing high-resolution color images either on labels or directly onto the product or packaging itself, providing business owners with the tools they need to differentiate their products in today’s competitive global market.”

Company Partners with Sihl to Develop Proprietary Solutions for Fast-Growing Digital Flexible Packaging Market

Using Natura™ inks, which are formulated with nearly 70% water, the T2-L delivers superior print quality onto flexible packaging using inks that are safer for food labels, creating significant savings for customers over the lifetime of the printer

AstroNova,  a global leader in data visualization technologies, has introduced the TrojanLabel^® T2-L, the world’s first narrow web digital flexible packaging press. Designed to accommodate both short-run and high-volume digital printing, the T2-L is the ideal flexible package printing solution for brand owners, manufacturers and commercial printers to efficiently scale and grow their businesses. Using Natura™ inks, which are formulated with nearly 70% water, the T2-L delivers superior print quality onto flexible packaging using inks that are safer for food labels, creating significant savings for customers over the lifetime of the printer.

To support the rapidly growing digital print for packaging business, AstroNova has partnered with Sihl, a global leader for digital print substrates. In addition to offering Sihl’s environmentally friendly ARTYSIO brand packaging product portfolio for the T2-L, AstroNova is partnering with Sihl to develop a range of new flexible packaging materials. Independent auditing firm Intersoh recently awarded the highest rating for recyclability to Sihl’s ARTYSIO materials, which include metalized ultra-high barrier and pure polypropylene versions.

“Its high-quality, recyclable, flexible packaging materials make Sihl a perfect partner for AstroNova in providing a total solution that is environmentally friendly, food-friendly and sustainable,” said AstroNova President and CEO Greg Woods. “We are proud to partner with Sihl on this initiative, offering our customers what we believe will be the flexible packaging solution with the highest return on investment in the industry.”

According to research firm Smithers Pira, total worldwide sales for flexible packaging are expected to grow to $269 billion in 2024 from $228 billion this year. “Our T2-L plays directly into strong secular trends driving the growth of the flexible packaging industry, including increased urbanization, a greater consumer focus on sustainability and the growth of e-commerce,” Woods said. “Our technology helps to create lightweight, durable packaging that reduces waste, lowers transportation costs, and is safer for the environment.”

With the full capacity of a larger press, the T2-C easily fits into any size print department with a footprint of less than 4 square feet. For ideal print quality and registration, the T2-C is optimized with automatic tension control and a built-in web guide

AstroNova, Inc., a global leader in data visualization technologies, today announced that its TrojanLabel™ and QuickLabel^® business units will be unveiling four new label presses and printers at PACK EXPO 2017 (booths C-2731 and N-532) and Labelexpo Europe 2017 (stands 9B50 and 9A39), two of the world’s largest exhibitions for the packaging and labeling industries.

Booth visitors will be able to view live demonstrations and learn more about the benefits of these four new innovative solutions: the QuickLabel QL-30 and QL-60, compact, monochrome high-speed thermal transfer printers; the Trojan™ T2-C, a powerful tabletop press that supports high-capacity label production; and the Trojan™ T4, an all-in-one digital label production and finishing press. Features of these new QuickLabel and TrojanLabel products include:

• QL-30 and QL-60 – With their compact design and high print speeds, the QL-30 and QL-60 thermal transfer label printers are ideal for barcoding and other one-color labeling applications. These systems feature a full-color touchscreen interface, complete with video and Wi-Fi. The QL-30 and QL-60 are ideal for producing rugged images for hazardous substance labeling, including cardboard boxes, pallets and other surfaces exposed to extreme conditions for lengthy periods.
• Trojan T2-C – With the full capacity of a larger press, the T2-C easily fits into any size print department with a footprint of less than 4 square feet. For ideal print quality and registration, the T2-C is optimized with automatic tension control and a built-in web guide. The intuitive TrojanControl touch panel user interface is easy to use and facilitates a quick start-up. With 24/7 production in mind, print speeds up to 12 inches/second and resolution up to 1600 dpi, the T2-C is a press designed for brand owners, print shops and professional label converters who want to add high-resolution color inkjet labels to their portfolio.
• Trojan T4 – Extending the TrojanLabel product line into the high-production environment for professional label converting, the T4 is a robust single pass, label printing press and finishing system that uses the highly intuitive TrojanControl touch panel user interface. For advanced label production and finished rolls of superior quality, the T4’s advanced digital inkjet press prints, laminates, die cuts and slits brilliant full-bleed color labels up to 1600 x 1600 dpi resolution at speeds up to 60 feet/18 meters per minute. The T4 also allows the user to create blank die cut labels at speeds up to 165 feet/50 meters per minute. Designed for high-capacity production, yet perfect for short label runs, the T4 is fully integrated for efficient production and quick changeovers, to minimize downtime and optimize profitability. A compact all-in-one label production solution, the T4 is fast, reliable and easy to use, while taking up less than 7-1/2 feet of workspace.

“Over the past 20 years, we have continually raised the bar for innovative label and specialty printer solutions that economically produce exquisite quality labels that maximize the marketing effectiveness of our customers’ products – and this year is no different,” said AstroNova President and CEO Greg Woods. “The new printers we’re introducing at PACK EXPO and Labelexpo are designed with precisely that mission in mind. Attendees will be able to see firsthand how the quality, speed, resolution and reliability of our TrojanLabel and QuickLabel products generate a return on investment that is unrivaled in the packaging and labeling industry.”

PACK EXPO 2017 runs September 25-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Labelexpo Europe 2017 runs September 25-28 at the Brussels Expo in Brussels, Belgium.