General News – Page 2 – Koenig & Bauer Durst Digital Packaging Print

A look into our history – and our future.

1817: Koenig & Bauer is founded – the world’s oldest printing press manufacturer
1936: Durst begins its journey as a pioneer for photography and imaging technologies
2025: Shaping the future of the print industry – together as Koenig & Bauer Durst

We bring together the best of both worlds – Koenig & Bauer’s centuries of mechanical engineering expertise and Durst’s digital innovation power. Our focus: folding carton, corrugated, and software solutions for packaging printing.

Jochen Sproll, our Strategy and Business Development Manager, sums it up perfectly: “The combination of conventional and digital printing is a win for the entire industry – processes become more efficient, more flexible, and more sustainable.”

Why?
Because the packaging market is evolving rapidly.
To remain competitive, packaging production processes must become more efficient – without compromising on the ability to deliver or print quality.

Digital packaging printing is:

more flexible
more sustainable
enables greater design freedom

But: It doesn’t replace offest in the near future. That’s why we focus on hybrid solutions that combine the strengths of both technologies.

A prime example: Our VariJET 106 – co-developed by Koenig & Bauer and Durst. It unites the expertise of both companies!

Conventional and digital printing are not opposites. They are partners – working side by side for a future-ready print industry.

Want to dive deeper into the topic of offset and digital printing.

Check out the full article in Print Monthly!

4. June 2025

Elevate brand protection with digital production

General News, Innovation

By Mark Richards, Sales & New Business Development Director, Mondi Birmingham, Corrugated Solutions

The global cost of counterfeiting and piracy was estimated to reach more than $3.2 trillion in 2022.

But that is not all, counterfeiting also eats into a brand’s integrity, operational efficiency and impacts consumer trust.

Packaging is the final opportunity a brand has to protect itself against this threat.

The counterfeiters’ likelihood for success can considerably be reduced by packaging that:

is upgraded to high-end print – both primary and secondary
incorporates unique variable data strategies
uses complex print designs
enables the regular changing of print runs.

Digital print’s variable data capabilities can also help by providing access to full traceability with the addition of unique coding on each primary or secondary pack.

The pack can be traced through the supply chain and even back to the point of packing or date of production.

This traceability and transparency help prevent counterfeiting while also providing peace of mind.

Contact us to explore more about how you can implement these measures.

9. May 2025

Offset and Digital: The New Industry Standard?

General News, Innovation

Factoid: Founded in 1817 by Friedrich Koenig and Andreas Friedrich Bauer, Koenig & Bauer is the oldest printing press manufacturer in the world which is still in service

In 2019 Koenig & Bauer Durst was formed in order to strength the two companies’ digital, folding carton, corrugated, and software solutions. Speaking of the combination of different technologies, Jochen Sproll, strategy and business development manager at Koenig & Bauer Durst, says: “By combining the very best of conventional and digital printing in the folding carton and corrugated markets, we can support corrugated and folding carton printers/converters who want to increase process efficiency, flexibility, and work even more closely with brands and retailers who recognise that they need to digitise their production environments. We can offer them the best of both worlds.”

Speaking of changes in the industry, Koenig & Bauer Durst emphasises that packaging is one of the strongest mediums for communication between brands and customers. The company says that ever decreasing run-lengths and shorter lead times mean that productive presses are needed to enable converters to manage complexity with lower operating costs and high-quality print results.

When it comes to digital printing in packaging, Sproll explains: “Digital printing is reshaping the folding carton market by enabling rapid, flexible, and sustainable production solutions. While it’s not a replacement for traditional methods, its role is growing, particularly for shorter runs, design flexibility, versioning, and agile production needs. A large portion of folding carton converters see the future of the packaging industry as a hybrid approach, combining digital and conventional printing to balance cost, scale, and customisation needs.

“The VariJET 106 single-pass press, a collaborative development by Durst and Koenig & Bauer specifically for the folding carton markets, will transform business operations. Among its big strengths is the outstanding colour-to-colour registration and machine stability ensuring high uptimes. Black negative can be printed in as little as 4pt font even with the densest black. It is especially useful with barcode work when every job is different.”

Sproll also highlights the continued success of certain areas of the market: “All-in-one production – particularly with embellishment possible for anything from tobacco packaging to pharmaceutical applications – is also becoming increasingly important. The VariJET 106 can run at 5,550sph in line embellishment in B1 digital format. Digital packaging printing on the VariJET eliminates time-consuming processes such as colour matching for new packaging products. From concept to market-ready product, the timeline will be reduced from weeks to just days.”

Evidently lithographic technology is here to stay, with digital printing no longer being a threat but a worthy companion to many businesses that use offset printing. While we don’t know what future innovations and technologies may hold, currently it is hard to disagree that these long-standing companies know what they are talking about, and while some are embracing digital technology more than others, ultimately, there’s still space in the market for both litho and digital.

5. May 2025

Sparking new ideas in folding carton with VariJET 106

Events, General News

By Eric Frank, Senior Vice President, Koenig & Bauer

What started as small carton associations banding together to survive the Great Depression has evolved into the unified organization we know today, representing the $12-billion paperboard packaging industry.

The Paperboard Packaging Council is a vibrant community of leaders, innovators and changemakers exclusively dedicated to North American converters of paperboard packaging and their suppliers.

Packaging requirements are evolving faster than ever, driven by sustainability demands, AI-powered advancements, and a shift away from plastics. Brand and retailers are racing to adapt, as are converters.

With all this in mind, I am looking forward to the PPC Spring Conference meeting in Indianapolis from April 23-25 that will have a packed agenda over the three days.

There I will be introducing the latest updates on the VariJET 106, the digital inkjet press, which has been jointly developed by Durst and Koenig & Bauer.

The VariJET uses the know-how from Koenig & Bauer, the leader in offset printing, with Durst’s unparalleled expertise in digital inkjet technology and software. We have reimagined the possibilities by combining the power of these two processes.

Greater geopolitical and societal instability, supply chain challenges, labour shortages, and legislative changes are all among additional factors that make digital production increasingly important in folding carton and corrugated markets.

And now seems to be the perfect time to fully introduce this unique offering to the American market, which is now a key target territory for sales.

The future is now for digital production in folding carton packaging. And I am convinced that the VariJET106 will play an important part in developments.

For those visiting the Spring Conference, I look forward to being there and fostering meaningful connections.

22. April 2025

Banknotes to VariJET 106 – My Journey in Print

Case Studies, General News

By Sascha Scholz, VariJET 106 Demonstrator, Radebeul

As a printer with a background in both traditional and digital printing, I have developed expertise in several technologies, where a primary focus has been on banknote and the wider intricacies of security printing.

Late last year, I began a new chapter in my career at Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed headquarters in Radebeul, Germany. Here, my role is centred on digital printing, where I work as a demonstrator.

One of the aspects I love most about my current job is preparing and conducting demos for customers. It’s a rewarding experience to guide customers – many of whom come from an offset printing background – through the world of digital printing.

Most of our clients are discovering digital printing for the first time, and it is both exciting and fulfilling to show them how digital printing can be integrated into their workflows.

From the prepress stage to the digital printing process itself, I enjoy sharing each step to expand their knowledge of the world of digital printing.
Seeing their smiles and knowing that they leave with a deeper understanding of this technology is incredibly satisfying.

I also enjoy being part of the latest developments and working with new technologies such as the VariJET 106, a digital press that is revolutionizing the printing market.

While it’s already being used for packaging in pharmaceuticals, food, and beauty products, I see a wealth of untapped potential for this technology in other markets.

Each demo I conduct in the Koenig & Bauer Durst Demo Center reveals new opportunities, and with every customer we engage with, we discover new ways the VariJET can serve a wide range of applications.

One of the standout features of the VariJET 106 is its exceptional quality. Customers are consistently impressed by the machine’s ability to match a broad spectrum of Pantone colors through its 7-color imitation process. The extended color gamut and ability to manage variable data make it a standout choice for printers who require high-quality results.

I truly enjoy coming to work every day in such a collaborative and supportive environment and I look forward to seeing where this journey takes me next.

17. April 2025

Enhancing the consumer experience

Case Studies, General News

By Jon Blackbourn, Head of Digital Print UK, Schumacher Packaging Birmingham

Consumers look for convenience and clear information on packaging.

Intelligent designs that achieve these two critical points go a long way to creating a valuable premium unboxing experience.

They can also help a brand align itself with consumers’ personal values and build loyalty.

Packaging is a powerful vehicle that can be utilized to communicate important information clearly and in an easy to find way.

‘Smart packaging’ takes this a step further and has changed how a brand can engage with a consumer to positively influence repeat sales.
Smart packaging uses interactive technology such as QR codes to improve the customer experience. It enables a brand to tell its story, whether that be field to bottle, farm to fork and so on. It can create customer engagement.

It can also showcase other offerings within a brand’s portfolio, inform consumers about seasonal promotions and supply relevant news on new and imminent product launches.

All these are among the many reasons why we invested in the Delta SPC 130 single pass high volume digital press from Koenig & Bauer Durst for corrugated markets. The corrugated market is ripe for digital transformation.

Our FlexLine Eco+ model with six colours is the first installation in the UK and is a central focal point as we expand our presence in UK markets as one of the UK’s leading plain and printed cardboard manufacturers.

10. April 2025

WhatTheyThink interview with Daniel Velema

General News, Innovation

Daniel Velema, CEO of Koenig & Bauer Durst in an interview with David Zwang of WhatTheyThink on the importance of agility and adaptability in volatile and uncertain times.

31. March 2025

Schumacher opens doors to a digital future with the Delta SPC130

Case Studies, General News

Schumacher Packaging threw open the doors to show off what is the most powerful post print inkjet press for packaging in the UK.

The press is the Koenig & Bauer Durst Delta SPC130, a press capable of printing on 1.3×2.8m sheets of corrugated board at 120m/min. It has been installed at Schumacher Packaging’s site close to the NEC in Birmingham. It is the centrepiece of £26 million of investment at the plant over the last four year since acquisition by Schumacher.

More…

26. March 2025

Koenig & Bauer Durst highlighted in the Schweizer Verpackungskatalog 2025

General News, Innovation

Career success mapped out with VariJET 106

Case Studies, General News

By Wolfgang Zeug, Lead Print Instructor, Koenig & Bauer

Printing at drupa 2024 was the highlight of my career so far. While the show was busy and demanding, it was an incredibly positive experience overall, especially as the team worked so well together – before, during and after the event.

It was fantastic to see how much interest there was in the VariJET 106, the first jointly developed product by Durst and Koenig & Bauer.

It was insightful to hear the questions the visitors had and see their response to the world maps we were printing. In fact, the supplies of the maps always ran out very quickly.

I joined Koenig & Bauer as an apprentice in December 2006 and have been working on the VariJET 106 throughout its development. In the early days, it was very exciting to help with the development, to be a part of the decision-making process, and to watch when ideas were successfully implemented.

Being part of the team and refining the evolution of the VariJET has been a privilege, and I have been enormously proud to be a part of the process that has elevated the print quality to the results we consistently achieve today.

I’m also a print instructor for the Koenig & Bauer large format Rapida 145 or Rapida 164 presses. Initially I was a little worried about running the computer-based VariJET but it was very straightforward. Inputting the information is simple and creating high quality output is easy.

However, there are always ways to improve the capabilities of the press and there is so much potential with regards to handling variable data and the flexible production of small print runs.

Its versatile completion of colour rich results is impressive and always well received at shows and our dedicated demo centre at the Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed division headquarters in Radebeul, Germany.

As the same time, it is always amazing to see how customers can sometimes be inspired by digital printing in the demo centre.

It might be a standard demo, or a customer-focused demo, but it is so rewarding when customers start to see what could be possible for their operations.

All my colleagues at VariJET are doing a very good job, not just those who were involved at drupa. In other words, also those from Service who look after the machines at the customers’ premises.

I am incredibly proud to be part of this unique collaboration between market-leading companies in the printing and packaging industry.

13. March 2025