Last November Durst Group celebrated the official launch of the P5 SMP, the new Super Multi-Pass solution, targeted at sign and display, POP/POS, corrugated packaging, and industrial decor, together with customers from around the world at its site in Lienz, Austria
With this system, Durst introduces a printing solution distinguished by exceptional versatility and performance: nearly 100 participants saw the productivity and level of automation of the new solution, besides Durst Group declared that the first deals were already closed during the event.
The P5 SMP is a 3.5 m hybrid LED multi-pass inkjet system, designed for both board and roll printing. Based on the proven P5 platform, it provides a powerful alternative to conventional single-pass systems. The P5 SMP was first unveiled at drupa 2024. For the field test, Durst partnered with Arian GmbH, based in Gleisdorf, Austria. They offer POS displays, in-store branding, large-format printing, signage, printed fabrics, billboards, and more.
A real success story and the future of AI
During the pleasant welcome meeting with event participants Robert Posch, Chief Production Officer (CPO) at Arian, emphasized that “the P5 SMP has closed a production gap and impressed us with its flexibility and reliability: we have tested over 200 materials in various formats on the P5 SMP. The short setup times and high level of automation help us manage this material mix. With the P5 SMP, we’ve also expanded our production capacities and can respond to customer requests much faster, a decisive success factor in today’s sales environment”.
Printing industry is undergoing a major transformation as AI becomes a key driver of competitiveness and innovation: in this regard Nathan Safran (VP, Research, Napco Media), presented the study by Alliance Insights (formerly NAPCO Research), based on a survey of over 300 print service providers and interviews with 16 executives. The answers show that AI adoption is growing rapidly across commercial printing, signage and apparel decoration.
85% of companies see AI as essential for future success, and 83% consideri t a source of new business opportunities. Benefits include improved production efficiency, better quality and consistency, and reduced repetitive work. But adoption remains mostly decentralized, led by individual employees rather than guided by company strategies and the most meaningful barriers include lack of expertise, unclear use cases, and integration challenges. Anyway AI is already delivering concrete results, such as faster estimating and invoicing and more effective marketing activities, even if only 7% of companies have a formal AI roadmap. 85% of respondents believe AI is essential for staying competitive, and 83% think it will create new growth opportunities. Overall, AI adoption in the printing industry is real, accelerating, and seen as a critical operational necessity: industry recognizes that AI adoption will be a key factor in future success. Besides printing companies are not waiting for “perfect” AI solutions and are applying AI as it is where it makes really the difference.
The launch of a game changer solution
During live demos in Lienz Demo Center the P5 SMP was running and printing with amazing quality. Depending on the application, the P5 SMP can control up to ten color channels, for example, to extend the color gamut with process colors (orange and violet), use light colors for smoother gradients, or apply white as a base for overprinting. The inks are cured using LED technology, and print quality can be adjusted through resolution levels of 700 × 1200 dpi and 900 × 1200 dpi. Energy efficiency is a certainty, since the machine uses LED curing, consequently Durst underlines the consumption of 35 kWh.
The solution is capable of handling both roll and rigid substrates, with a very high annual capacity: 5 million m²/year. Andrea Riccardi, head of product management at Durst Group, highlighted two main features: the “Digital Substrate Alignment (DSA)” system with ± 0.25 mm accuracy, very useful for double-sided printing, cutting, die-cutting, and the “Automated Corrugated System”, that ensures high production safety, especially in corrugated printing. The material is continuously and automatically kept flat, preventing edge lifting and avoiding material collisions.
As regards automation there are feeding and stacking units, buffer, fully automated options, enabling almost unattended operation for shifts. The P5 SMP is delivered with Durst Workflow and Durst Analytics software packages, tools that continuously enhance production efficiency.
