A unique collaboration for drupa 2024
Premium papers from Sappi and sophisticated embellishment technology from LEONHARD KURZ make a dazzling impression in live demos
With over 1,600 exhibitors from 50 countries, drupa is the world’s leading trade fair for printing technologies. It is taking place this year between 28 May and 7 June in Düsseldorf (Germany). Sappi Europe, a leading provider of packaging and speciality papers, will be represented there as part of a collaboration with exhibiting company LEONHARD KURZ, the world market leader in thin-film technology and digital embellishment equipment. In Hall 3, Stand E71, the partners will be demonstrating the spectacular results that can be achieved with Sappi’s premium papers and KURZ’s surface embellishment technology.
A successful collaboration between Sappi and LEONHARD KURZ
Under the banner “Re:think what’s possible”, LEONHARD KURZ will be presenting its unique finishing products and solutions in the fields of hot stamping, cold transfer and digital embellishment at the world’s leading trade fair for the printing and graphic industry.
The motto reflects the company’s dedication to playing a key role in shaping the future of surface embellishment. KURZ’s focus is on merging fundamental aspects, such as creativity and technology, virtuality and reality or design and sustainability, to open up entirely new possibilities in surface finishing. KURZ’s embellishment solutions – whether for packaging, graphic applications or labels – create stunning effects, vibrant colours and haptic experiences transforming ordinary designs into truly extraordinary works of art.
Lars Scheidweiler, Head of Packaging Solutions at Sappi Europe, explains:
“LEONHARD KURZ is an international innovation driver in its field and its ground-breaking products set the standard in surface embellishment. A perfect fit for Sappi, as we also focus on continuously advancing and evolving our high-quality papers and boards. We are delighted that our substrates will be used on the various digital embellishment machines KURZ will be showcasing live at drupa. Visitors will have an opportunity to directly experience the impressive merging of innovative paper technology and sophisticated surface embellishment.”
High-quality papers embellished with innovative machines
KURZ will be showcasing a variety of digital embellishment equipment solutions for surface embellishment. One of the highlights this year is the DM-MAXLINER 3D, a new landmark for industrial-scale digital embellishment. This high-performance machine excels in production speeds and single-pass efficiency, while combining metallisation and varnishing to transform digital print products into a unique haptic relief experience and give sheets a striking 3D look.
Sappi's Magno Plus Silk in 350 g/m² and Algro Design Duo in 300 g/m² will be embellished on the DM-MAXLINER 3D. Magno Plus Silk, which can be seen at the stand used for cards, is a bright white, high-volume, silk-matt paper that beautifully underscores the strength of print communication. Algro Design Duo, a premium solid bleached board (SBB) with symmetrical full coated top and reverse side ideally suited for superior brand communication, will be on show at the KURZ stand in card, poster and book-cover applications.
Both products not only excel with their brilliant print image, flawless colour reproduction and stunning contrasts, they also once again demonstrate their capabilities for high-impact brand differentiation and shelf presence.
Postcards and mailings with unrivalled quality and appeal
Sappi's papers and boards will be showcasing their strengths on other innovative KURZ Digital Embellishment Machines as well. At drupa, Sappi’s Magno Gloss in 350 g/m², Magno Natural in 300 g/m² and Algro Design Nature in 300 g/m² will be presented on the KURZ DM-MAXLINER 2D. The newly introduced digital embellishment machine in sheet format can apply metallisation to a wide range of substrates, which becomes crystal clear in combination with Sappi's solutions: For example, the papers from the Magno series will be demonstrated for use on postcards and mailings.
With its bright white, glossy, smooth surface, Magno Gloss achieves the finest image details and vivid colour reproduction, while the uncoated Magno Natural features a pleasing haptical experience and natural image reproduction. The Algro Design Nature solid bleached board, which will demonstrate the technology’s application for packaging on the DM-MAXLINER 2D, distinguishes itself with its uncoated reverse side and natural feel. Its virtually unlimited options for further processing – such as cold transfer, hot stamping and digital embellishment, embossing, creasing, die-cutting, varied effect coatings and lacquering – make it the ideal choice for high-quality packaging that calls for uniquely creative solutions with the highest quality consistency.
And finally, KURZ will be showcasing its DM-SMARTLINER at drupa, a compact digital metallization machine that can be used for 2D embellishment in sheet-fed printing – for mass production as well as for small batches and special editions. In combination with Sappi’s Algro Design Duo in 300 g/m², it demonstrates how creative effects with dazzling brilliance and outstanding resolution can be achieved on cards. In spite of its relative simplicity, the straightforward overprint, which creates metallic 2D effects, is very impressive.
For a powerful brand impact at the POS
The portfolio at drupa will be rounded off with a sleeve created with Sappi’s Algro Design Duo in 300 g/m² as well as holders and carrier bags made with Fusion Topliner in 180 g/m², which visitors can use to take the results of the live demos home with them. Fusion Topliner is Sappi’s premium solution for displays, consumer packaging, shelf-ready packaging and promotional materials. With its homogeneous surface and exceptionally high degree of whiteness, the coated virgin fibre liner guarantees ultimate brand impact at POS.
Claudia Pöckl, Marketing Communications Specialist at Sappi Europe, concludes:
“Innovative print embellishment processes can only deliver brilliant, high-quality results if they are carried out on the best substrates. Together with KURZ, we achieve solutions of the very highest quality with papers and boards that are both visually and haptically impressive. We look forward to answering any further questions visitors may have about the Sappi papers presented after the drupa fair.”
