SCREEN is set to expand the possibilities of label production with the Truepress LABEL 520AQ, a conceptual digital label press exploring the application of SCREEN’s advanced water-based inkjet technology to the label printing sector.
Barcelona, Spain – At Labelexpo 2025, SCREEN will present the Truepress LABEL 520AQ, a new solution designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s label converters. This proof-of-concept digital label press is built on SCREEN’s long-standing expertise guiding the development of water-based inkjet technology, and an in-depth understanding of the label printing sector, to evaluate how label converters can enter new markets and improve operational efficiency with water-based inkjet printing.
“With the Truepress LABEL 520AQ, we’re working to discover how converters can expand their throughput of their existing printing jobs while entering new markets, and how this well-established technology can also help them to meet the increasing demand for sustainable, high-quality labels,” said Carlo Sammarco, Business Development Director Packaging Solutions at SCREEN Europe.
SCREEN Water-Based Digital Inkjet Now for Label Printing
The Truepress LABEL 520AQ was conceptualised in direct response to growing trends within the label printing industry: rising production costs and increased demand for premium-quality labels.
Water-based inkjet technology addresses both challenges by bringing a combination of high-quality output and exceptional productivity already thoroughly understood in the commercial printing industry for various label applications, via printing speeds averaging 100 metres-per-minute on a 520mm media width (508mm printable width) to improve throughput without compromising quality or reliability.
Meanwhile, with 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution, converters can expect offset printing image fidelity, including crisp text, sharp lines, and smooth mid-tone gradations with digital printing versatility. And with SCREEN’s proprietary raster image processing and advanced substrate control systems managed by EQUIOS workflow management software ensures superior registration accuracy, even at full production speeds. This technology also incorporates Truepress SC+ Inks already extensively used by Truepress JET technology, ensuring the same wide colour-gamut reproduction seen in commercial printing, with consistent high-density coverage even at high speeds with minimal odour.
Transforming the Label Converting Market
SCREEN is using this conceptual solution to test how label converters who incorporate water-based inkjet printing their production workflows can significantly enhance operational efficiency. Jobs that traditionally required more specialised equipment can now be completed more effectively on this high-throughput system, while potentially improving print quality and consistency. This allows businesses to strategically offload existing work, reserving more complex embellishing lines for jobs that truly require it, thereby increasing overall production throughput across the facility.
Beyond streamlining current operations, the Truepress LABEL 520AQ can potentially open the door to entirely new market opportunities. With its wide format capabilities, the press supports larger format labels, enabling printers to serve new packaging formats and customer demands. It also supports sophisticated variable data printing, such as QR codes, barcodes, randomised graphic elements, and personalized label designs, ideal for promotions, compliance, and traceability.
The versatility of the system is still being explored, with early trials showing great potential to enable new possibilities with highly specialised label segments including pharmaceutical labels, agri-chemical labelling, and wet-glue labels. These emerging and expanding markets are actively being explored by SCREEN with various technology partners, signalling a new wave of innovation for digital label production.
See the Truepress LABEL 520AQ Live at Labelexpo 2025
SCREEN Europe invites, converters, innovators, and our partners to witness the Truepress LABEL 520AQ in action for the first time at Labelexpo 2025.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the technology, explore its capabilities across various substrates, and join the discussion regarding how this technology can meet the evolving production requirements in the label converting sector.
Register to visit the SCREEN booth at Labelexpo 2025 to take part in the conversation on how this water-based, high-speed inkjet printing can open new doors for label businesses:
SCREEN at LabelExpo 2025
