March 2026 - Koenig & Bauer Durst Digital Packaging Print

Digital Production Improvements – Supporting Customers Every Step of the Way

By Andreas Rogl, Senior Application Specialist, Koenig & Bauer Durst

With another year well under way, our focus at Koenig & Bauer Durst remains firmly on helping customers get the very best from their Delta SPC 130 machines.
Digital production continues to advance rapidly, and although some still believe it is an experiment, the reality is very different: the technology is proven, industrial, and moving forward with great optimism.

Driving Print Quality and System Performance

A major part of my work has been driving continuous improvements in print quality and machine stability. This includes new colour profiles, better corrugated board flows, and supporting customers with the latest ink sets to reduce costs and increase reliability. Colour management, print management, and workflow all need to speak the same language, so we work closely with customers to ensure every part of the system aligns.

Hands-On Training and Customer Support

Training also remains a key priority. I spend significant time with maintenance teams, guiding them through preventative maintenance and troubleshooting side-by-side with our service department. This collaboration helps customers achieve higher uptime and more consistent production.
When I’m onsite over a weekend – when the press is quiet – I can focus on specific technical topics so that improvements are ready to show the customer on Monday morning.

Life on the Road and Continuous Innovation

My background as a service engineer, sometimes travelling more than 220 days annually, prepared me well for this role. Today it’s closer to 120 days, which is still a lot of time on the road. The hardest part is being away from my daughter, Mila Amaya, who is almost three. Thankfully, regular video calls help us stay connected.
R&D continues to push digital quality further, and we pass these advancements on to customers as part of an ongoing journey. Seeing machines run better and customers succeed is still the best part of the job – and it’s what drives our commitment to continuous improvement across every installation.

25. March 2026

VariJET 106 Open House on April 28 or 29 in Radebeul. Join us!

Events, General News

Our Managing Director Daniel Velema previews our Open House dedicated to digital print packaging transformation in folding carton markets in Radebeul on April 28-29. Participants will see the complete cycle from the start of production to the finishing, including postpress capabilities, with the spotlight on our VariJET 106.

The events will also show tools to enable businesses to be more competitive, such as brand protection, workflow automation and authentication.

Watch the video and then reach out to local sales teams to book your slot at either event.

16. March 2026

Rethinking print: where digital meets offset for new growth

General News, Innovation

By Markus Weiss, CEO of Koenig & Bauer Paper & Packaging

The printing and packaging industry is changing faster than ever. After nearly two decades in this business, I’ve seen countless innovations – but the convergence of offset and digital printing stands out as a true gamechanger.

At Koenig & Bauer Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems, we’re focused on one goal: helping our customers capture new growth by integrating both worlds.

Across Europe, the US, and Asia, we see strong momentum – especially in packaging. Offset remains the backbone of the industry, but digital print is rapidly gaining ground in high-value and high-volume segments.

Working closely with brands and converters, we’re looking to help those using digital print to deliver premium packaging at industrial scale, including in folding cartons.

From niche technology to industrial digital production

For too long, digital printing has been viewed as a niche solution for short runs or individualisation. That mindset is outdated.

A real opportunity now lies in high-volume, high-end digital production – and the VariJET 106 from Koenig & Bauer Durst is one of the important tools helping make that shift possible.

Developed jointly with Durst, the VariJET 106 brings together digital agility and offset precision.

This single-pass press, using water-based, food-safe inks, enables flexible production and addresses run lengths from 1,500 to 10,000 sheets or more depending on the market and applications. It’s not about replacing offset – it’s about expanding what’s possible when both technologies work together.

New opportunities beyond traditional packaging

We’re also opening new conversations beyond packaging within other segments and with partners. As one example, together with our Vision & Protection teams, we see exciting opportunities in security printing, where innovation and expertise can create real competitive advantage.

This is an area where Koenig & Bauer’s long-standing expertise and our innovative mindset can unlock meaningful new business models.

A holistic approach to the future of print

Our approach remains holistic: connecting PrePress, Press, and PostPress systems through intelligent automation, AI and workflow solutions to deliver efficiency and profitability across the entire production chain.

The future of print isn’t about choosing sides – offset or digital. It’s about mastering both to meet today’s evolving market demands.

At Koenig & Bauer, we’re passionate about driving that transformation with our customers, shaping the next chapter of what print can achieve.

12. March 2026