Konica Minolta unveils high-end label press

Konica Minolta has launched a label press, the AccurioLabel 400, as it accelerates its presence in label, packaging, and embellishment markets. Already European market leader in digital label presses with 28% market share in 2021, first details have been revealed for the machine that will target mid- to high-volume label converters and provide affordable top-quality digital printing.

The first public showing of the AccurioLabel 400 took place recently at Konica Minolta’s European Labels & Packaging Exhibition in Madrid. The official sales start is planned for Q1 in 2023.

The Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 400 will also be fully upgradeable for AccurioLabel 230 customers who are expanding their own business in the growing markets of label production and packaging. Important new developments include the ability to expand applications with white toner, improved productivity with superfast print speeds of up to 39.9 metres per minute, and further running cost reductions thanks to even more durable parts life, as well as enhanced print quality. It is available in 4- and 5-colour options.

Konica Minolta’s Intelligent Quality Care and the IQ-520 will increase usability and automation with the AccurioLabel 400, hence customers’ label production will benefit from higher levels of control. Intelligent Quality Care enables real time control of white toner opacity, colour stability control, as well as automatic calibration, density adjustments and profile creation.

With a main scan capability at 1200 dpi (equivalent to 3600 dpi), the Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 400 single-pass toner production press prints on paper widths up to 330mm or 250mm.

Multiple touch panel monitors in three different areas of the label press enable intuitive operation and is easy to use for operators, eliminating the need for extensive user training. Tasks that were time-consuming on analogue machines can be performed quickly and accurately in delivering stable printing quality.

This year, Konica Minolta has celebrated a 1000th installation shipment for its highly successful AccurioLabel 230 toner digital printing press – less than seven years since entering the labels market.

“The AccurioLabel 400 adds to our broad range of innovative print solutions to enable digital transformation that also include workflow, software and process automation, and cloud solutions as part of the drive to the smart factory,” said Carsten Bamberg, Business Development Manager, Professional Printing Group at Konica Minolta Europe. “The digitisation of the label industry will continue to accelerate with double-digit predicted growth annually. Opportunity is everywhere. It just takes a spark to make it happen.

“Unveiling the AccurioLabel 400 at our European Labels & Packaging Exhibition provides us with another perfect opportunity to help our customers rethink possibilities and ignite printing. Working in partnership as a global player and partner of choice, we are constantly rethinking print and helping customers to improve and grow in partnership.”

He added: “With an estimated 7,000-plus label converters in the mid- and high-volume markets, we feel confident of capturing significant market share with our AccurioLabel 400 that will have an extremely competitive total cost of ownership.”

Jon Hiscock, Head of Production & Industrial Print at Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd also commented: “The UK is one of the larger label markets in Europe and there’s lots of opportunities for this product as digital label production continues to grow. The AccurioLabel 400 gives us a massive opportunity to speak to existing customers about the benefits it offers, as well as speaking to new customers as we continue to grow our professional print business here in the UK.”