Plant Director

Fujifilm and ePac scale high-volume digital printing for flexible packaging. Key takeaways. * ePac will install Fujifilm's Jet Press FP790 at its new Arizona facility, with further expansion planned across North America and globally. * The press is designed to increase high-volume flexible packaging capacity while retaining short-run and on-demand digital printing capabilities. * Fujifilm says the system supports recyclable structures, food-safe water-based inks, and high-resolution color reproduction. (Image credit: Fujifilm) Fujifilm has equipped ePac Flexible Packaging with the Fujifilm Jet Press FP790 to scale the producer's high-volume digital printing for flexible formats. Initially, a press is set to be installed at ePac's new facility in Arizona, US, with further expansion planned internationally and across North America. "By continuing to integrate leading-edge assets into our fleet, we are significantly increasing our capacity and capability to handle larger run lengths efficiently," says Parag Patel, president of Shared Services at ePac Flexible Packaging. "ePac has always been focused on helping brands grow through professional packaging, and as they scale, their needs evolve. Incorporating this technology gives brand owners of all sizes the continued agility of digital while providing an end-to-end scaling solution for flexible packaging." According to Fujifilm, the Jet Press FP790 is engineered for high-volume flexible packaging, with graphics, color, and support for recyclable material structures options. It also offers 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution, covering over 90% of the Pantone color range, and uses eco-friendly, food-safe water-based inks. It aims to enable ePac to increase production capacity while preserving its short-run, on-demand capabilities, says Fujifilm. Digital printing expansion. The partnership responds to the digitalization trend sweeping across the packaging industry. Digital printing involves copying a digital image directly onto a package without using traditional printing plates, which transfer ink from one surface to another. Osamu Nakashima, corporate VP at Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp, says: "This alliance brings together two powerhouses dedicated to the digital transformation of global packaging." "We've put huge emphasis on digital packaging in the latest developments to our portfolio, and our flagship J Press FP790 is engineered specifically to transform flexible packaging manufacturing." Last year, Fujifilm partnered with SumnerOne to expand access to its advanced print technologies, including solutions well-suited for packaging applications. The Fujifilm Acuity line enables high-quality, detailed printing on rigid and flexible packaging materials, offering features like white ink and multi-layer capabilities. Evolving technology. While digital printing is now common in the packaging industry, the technology is still developing, Bernd Köbler, sales director at Mondi Ebersdorf, told Packaging Insights. He added that a "major" development is the expansion of six-color digital printing for corrugated packaging to include white ink. However, the rise in digital printing also raises the risk of cybersecurity problems as companies become vulnerable to hacks or data breaches. Problems can arise from unauthorized system access and personal data protection. Managing these emerging risks in the digital printing process can help prevent financial loss and reputational damage. Previously, Packaginginsights spoke to Bobst, Mondi, Flint Group Digital Xeikon, and Xaar about the systems they have in place to mitigate the risk of unsafe digital printing scenarios.

Fujifilm enters partnership with ePac Flexible Packaging. ePck will install the FUJIFILM J Press FP790 in Arizona followed by a planned expansion across ePac's global network. October 19, 2026 Assistant Editor Fujifilm announces a global strategic alliance with ePac Flexible Packaging, an international leader in digitally driven flexible packaging solutions. At the heart of the new partnership is the FUJIFILM J Press FP790, which will enable ePac to set a new benchmark for high-volume digital printing, speed, and cross-market scalability across its global network. The FUJIFILM J Press FP790 will enable ePac to continue to push the upper boundaries of its business model and deliver unmatched value across every stage of a brand's growth. The initial J Press FP790 deployment begins in North America, with a press installation at ePac's new facility in Phoenix, Arizona, to be followed by a planned fleet expansion across ePac's global network in future phases. The relationship between the two companies underlines Fujifilm's commitment to bringing digital flexible packaging solutions into mainstream printing. "This alliance brings together two powerhouses dedicated to the digital transformation of global packaging," said Osamu Nakashima, Corporate Vice President of Fujifilm Business Innovation Corporation. "We've put huge emphasis on digital packaging in the latest developments to our portfolio, and our flagship J Press FP790 is engineered specifically to transform flexible packaging manufacturing. ePac's forward-thinking model makes them the ideal global strategic partner to demonstrate its power." "ePac was founded on the belief that digital printing would redefine the global flexible packaging market," said Parag Patel, President of Shared Services at ePac Flexible Packaging. "By continuing to integrate leading-edge assets into our fleet, we are significantly increasing our capacity and capability to handle larger run lengths efficiently. ePac has always been focused on helping brands grow through professional packaging, and as they scale, their needs evolve. Incorporating this technology gives brand owners of all sizes the continued agility of digital while providing a true end-to-end scaling solution for flexible packaging." Add Ink World Magazine as a preferred source on Google. Get the latest Ink World magazine news, insights and analysis in your Google Search and AI experiences.

Esko announces guided tour to bring connected packaging ecosystem to life. 15th April 2026 Esko is joining forces with its technology partners to deliver a fully immersive, end-to-end packaging experience, offering print professionals, converters and brand owners a unique opportunity to witness the complete packaging journey in action. Running daily from 7-13 May at interpack, Messe Düsseldorf, the guided 'From Design to Production Line' experience will give visitors the rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of a fully connected packaging ecosystem, from initial design through artwork, print production, coding and marking, and finally into logistics and pallet optimisation. Developed in collaboration with some of the key print and packaging technology players, the one-hour experience demonstrates how integrated data and workflow automation can accelerate speed-to-market, ensure compliance, and enable more sustainable packaging production. 'This is not a traditional booth demonstration,' said Jan De Roeck, Marketing Director at Esko. 'We are breaking down silos across the packaging value chain to show, live and in context, how connected technologies and integrated data can transform the way a real-world granola pack is developed, produced and delivered, faster, compliant, and with more focus on sustainability.' Visitors will embark on a four-phase journey developed by Esko and Videojet Technologies in association with partner companies Amazon Transparency, CarbonQuota, ePac Flexible Packaging, io.tt, Laetus, Recyda and RegASK: - Phase 1, Concept and Digital Shelf: See how packaging concepts are created and refined using advanced 2D and 3D design tools, including structural packaging and retail-ready displays. - Phase 2, Intelligent Artwork: Focusing on the 'middle mile' of packaging, this phase highlights how AI-driven compliance, connected data, and partner integrations simplify complexity. 'Demonstrations will include real-time regulatory monitoring, carbon footprint analysis, recyclability insights, and the implementation of Digital Product Passports using GS1 Digital Link-enabled QR codes,' said De Roeck. - Phase 3, Printing Process: Attendees will observe a previously printed pouch, produced using both digital and flexographic technologies. 'The demonstration will include high-quality digital print production alongside next-generation flexo platemaking,' said De Roeck. 'This phase illustrates how converters can achieve superior print quality while reducing ink usage and supporting sustainability goals.' - Phase 4, Production Line and Logistics: The final phase brings the packaging to life on the production line, showcasing real-time coding, marking, and traceability. 'The journey concludes with palletisation optimisation, where attendees can explore how smarter logistics decisions reduce costs and environmental impact,' said De Roeck. Key benefits highlighted throughout the tour include achieving faster packaging development cycles through connected workflows, enhanced compliance with evolving global regulations, improved sustainability through data-driven decision-making, greater supply chain transparency and traceability, and reduced costs through optimised production and logistics. Participants will also receive a physical sample of the granola pack produced during the experience, offering a tangible takeaway from the journey. 'This experience gives visitors a blueprint for the future of packaging,' added De Roeck. 'By connecting every stage of the process, companies can move faster, operate more efficiently, and turn sustainability and compliance into competitive advantages.' The 'From Design to Production Line' experience will run daily from 2pm throughout interpack and last approximately one hour.