Gallus used its open house event as the world premiere for a new tactile label finish. As well as showing its new digital label production line in action for the first time, the group also unveiled a number of new features on its conventional products. An RCS 300 label production line was shown producing metallic doming inline, a brand new option for creating a raised, metallic effect.

After the printing units a heat-activated glue is applied in the shape required using a screen printing module. The glue is then activated using UV, and a special metallic foil is applied to create the tactile finish.  The effect can be applied to transparent materials and tube laminate, which Gallus believes is unique, as well as standard self-adhesive paper label stocks.

The device maintains a constant tension in the matrix so it doesn’t break. A number of enhancements to the RCS 430 narrow web system were also shown, including a reduced web length between print stations that has the potential to save 50,000 linear metres of materials per annum and a new closed loop colour system. Gallus said the new features would result in a productivity boost of more than 10%.