Mold-Tek delivers variable data printing with Domino’s inkjet kit

Hyderabad-based Mold-Tek Packaging has invested in two high-speed, high quality K600i UV-curable inkjet printers from Domino. Installed in March 2021, the machines have been employed to print variable information onto in-mold labels.

25 Jan 2022 | By Rahul Kumar

The K600i black head

The company first registered its interest in the K600i in August 2020. “When we first approached Domino, we were already aware of its reputation,” said PV Rao, deputy managing director at Mold-Tek Packaging. “It is a renowned brand, known for manufacturing highly reliable and efficient label printing equipment.”

Mold-Tek offers a wide range of services to its customers, including mold designing, manufacturing injection molding, in-mold labelling decoration, and screen, offset and shrink sleeve printing with all in-house facilities as a complete packaging solution. In order to deliver variable data printing in the form of 2D codes and QR codes for track and trace applications onto in-mold labels, it relies on the K600i UV inkjet printer.

“We print a huge quantity of in-mold labels and our customers were looking for different forms of variable data to be printed onto them. We did some research into the market, to try and find the best solution that could offer 2D and QR codes for track and trace data for security. Finally, it was Domino’s K600i that appealed to us most. We were delighted to purchase the two machines in March, which are both now being used on flexo presses. Domino’s single-pass printing credentials, coupled with simplex and duplex capabilities means we can print onto both sides of an in-mold label with excellent levels of productivity. It was also simple for our operators to learn how to use,” Rao said.

He also added that Domino’s unique, automated, i-Tech features are helping the company cut down on makeready times while maximising the potential of the print work.

The K600i is capable of printing variable data as well as graphics at speeds of up to 200m/min. The high opacity white ink option offers a cost-effective alternative to screen printing. Digital embellishments are made possible through spot varnishing via its UV67CL ink, and with the K600i’s compatibility with various other ink types — including LED and UV-curable, aqueous pigmented, and its food packaging compliant UV97BK ink – this high-resolution monochrome inkjet printer is remarkably versatile.

In the industry for 35 years, Mold-Tek manufactures food-grade packaging and a wide range of containers for industrial products, such as lubricants and paints. The company boasts of approximately 22% market share and a client list that includes the likes of Asian Paints, Kansai Nerolac Paints, Berger Paints, Castrol India (BP), Valvoline, AkzoNobel, Shell, Gulf, BP, Mondelez, HUL, Amul and P&G, among others.

“We work with some of the largest corporations in the world,” Rao said. “Consequently, we require the highest quality, fastest and most reliable printing equipment to help us to not only handle the demand in terms of the sheer number of jobs we receive, but to deliver exceptional products that will guarantee customer satisfaction.”

Ajay Rao Rane, vice-president, digital printing solutions at Domino India, said, “For a company with such a prestigious reputation, Mold-Tek Packaging understands the need for equipment that can enable it to fulfill the challenging jobs. The K600i is helping the company to deliver quality products, at speed, and in a way that helps them streamline their operations.”

The K600i is based on Domino’s proven and reliable generation six inkjet technology, of which there are approaching 1,000 global installations.