Today, the printing industry is undergoing a real revolution, driven by the introduction of new materials and technologies that bring unprecedented value to printed products. These advancements make prints unique and distinctive not only in terms of aesthetics but also in functionality, enhancing their resistance to external elements and the passage of time. Additionally, they are more sustainable, designed to be easily recycled, reused, and, in some cases, even compostable. For this reason, Print4All 2025 will see the return of the PrintMat area, a space dedicated to the latest innovations in the materials offering developed by manufacturers, very often in synergy with printing and converting machine manufacturers. PrintMat will showcase the wonders of dedicated materials for the production of commercial and editorial prints, packaging, and shopping bags, and for use in visual communication and textile printing, highlighting their excellence through outstanding examples.

Plastics research

The Colines Group, world leader in the design and production of plastic extrusion plants, operating since 1973 with 7 production sites in Italy, will be one of the Italian excellences represented in the Printing & Materials area. It will illustrate the results of its strong commitment to research and development that enable it to offer increasingly functional, eco-sustainable and easily printable materials. As Eraldo Peccetti, executive chairman and co-founder of COLINES, says, 'We offer our customers the opportunity to benefit from our technological support, driven and supported by our dynamic spirit, essential in an industry in which improvements and developments are constantly setting new market benchmarks. Peccetti also points out that the Group can now boast around 50 patents and just as many registered trademarks for the development of plants for the production of plastic materials such as Arir Bubble Film or Board, or the plastic films that wrap mineral water bottles. One of the technologies developed by COLINES in this area is the use of stretch film instead of shrink film, which means less plastic and energy is wasted when palletising bottles.

New trends in print enhancement

Another sector that is rapidly evolving is print enhancement. Today, the range of foils for print enhancement is as broad as ever and includes, in addition to traditional gold, silver and copper ones, an extraordinary variety of colours ranging from pastel shades to fluorescent, both glossy and matt, and with effects such as glitter, pearlescent, holographic, difractive, 3D relief or depth, textured, and even semi-transparent options suitable for overprinting. The new films are thinner and more versatile, producing the highest quality effects even on lighter materials or natural papers. With this outlook, innovation, sustainability and safety are the priorities for print enhancement companies such as Luxoro Kurz and Oropress, who will be bringing their innovations to the PRINTMAT area next year.

Print enhancement and sustainability

Kurz and Luxoro offer cutting-edge products to various markets, including the graphic arts sector, enabling print enhancements that deliver not only extraordinary aesthetic effects but also the added benefit of being environmentally friendly. As Marco Gaviglio, business manager of Luxoro's graphics sector, explains, 'today the enhancement of printed products can be achieved using a low environmental impact process that includes the use of recyclable products and responsible waste management'. For this reason, the group has worked to minimise the thickness of the transfer aluminium by making its foils recyclable and compostable. In addition, the thinning of the PET layer on the transfer products has reduced transport costs and waste, facilitating disposal.

Beauty rhymes with safety

Martina Culpo, Export Sales and Brand Manager at Oropress, explains how print enhancement can also fulfil the need for brand protection, which is increasingly in demand by luxury customers: "One specific type of hot stamping foil used to combat counterfeiting is the custom security hologram. Characterised by specific graphic effects, some visible only with special reading devices, it becomes a tool for verifying the authenticity of the packaging to which it is applied and consequently of the product it contains. The number and type of effects can be customised according to the specific needs of the brand, making it difficult to replicate the characteristics of this special print enhancement”.