Crown Packaging has developed the world's first full-color UV inkjet for printed cans

Crown Packaging has developed a full-scale production system prototype of what the company is calling the world's first high-resolution, full-color UV inkjet for printed cans.

The development could help make a beverage maker's products stand out on an increasingly crowded retails shelves. "We're on the threshold of offering our customers the advantages of a breakthrough technology that enables new consumer marketing strategies by providing cost-effective short runs, tighter lead times, faster turnaround and targeted promotions with versioned messaging and personalisation," Crown stated in a press release.

The decision to advance the technology to a full-scale prototype follows a feasibility and testing phase of a joint development programme between Crown and Jetrion, which manufactures flexible and formable colour UV inkjet inks. Over the past 12 months, Crown used used the technology to printing ultra high-resolution colour images on coated metal blanks using Jetrion's inks. The printed blanks were then formed by traditional manufacturing processes into three-piece cans. Crown then tested the cans for quality, durability and abrasion resistance, which the company said passed its standards.