In the current era of rapid iteration of digital manufacturing technology, advanced inkjet technology is breaking the boundaries of traditional decorative processes, growing from a supplementary alternative to analog printing to a core pillar in modern printing and packaging production. As a leading global manufacturer of industrial inkjet print heads, Xaar's technological innovation continues to drive industry change. Jack Malki, Director of Jet Technologies, recently shared an in-depth analysis of how inkjet technology is reshaping the development path of decoration processes and bringing comprehensive innovation to related industries.

Malki pointed out that the rise of inkjet technology is mainly due to the breakthrough improvement of industrial print head performance, among which Xaar's piezoelectric on-demand droplet (DOD) platform performs particularly well. Unlike the conventional piezoelectric technology in the industry that is mostly compatible with ≤ 50 centipoise ink, this platform can stably spray liquids with a viscosity of up to 100 centipoise. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for digital implementation of effects such as thick coating varnish, texture decoration, and thick pigments that can only be achieved through screen printing or printing plate processes. It is reported that the core principle of piezoelectric on-demand droplet technology is to precisely squeeze the ink chamber through the micro deformation of piezoelectric ceramics under the action of voltage to control the ejection of ink droplets. It has the advantages of precise ink droplet, no thermal damage, and long service life. The technological upgrade of Xaar has made its adaptability far beyond the industry's conventional level, becoming the core driving force for promoting the transformation of decoration technology.

This feature is of great significance because it expands the functionality of the printer, "Malki emphasized." By adding a circulation function to keep pigments suspended, a self-cleaning function to reduce downtime, and a high layer option to print thicker layers, a platform designed specifically for stable and repeatable production can be created, rather than a one-time digital printing job. "This functional optimization for industrial production scenarios completely breaks away from the positioning of inkjet technology as a" niche customization tool "and truly integrates into large-scale production processes, laying the foundation for the standardized and efficient transformation of decoration technology. As a technology giant with approximately 280 registered or patent pending applications, Xaar has been dedicated to the research and manufacturing of industrial inkjet printheads since its establishment in 1990. Its series of innovative products continue to define the industry's technological benchmark.

At the level of decorative craftsmanship, Malki described a new industry revolution called "label typesetting" - with the help of advanced inkjet technology, brand owners can achieve three-dimensional contour printing, flexibly presenting various height levels and decorative effects, upgrading packaging from "flat display" to "three-dimensional experience". This change breaks the rigid limitations of traditional decoration techniques and enables efficient implementation of personalized and diversified design needs. The Jet iQ embellishment series launched by Jet Technologies is a concrete manifestation of this transformation. The series is supported by Xaar's Versatex Printbar core technology, which enables processors to achieve high-end decoration effects comparable to screen printing with digital flexibility for different SKU quantities. It is widely used in high-end packaging fields such as food and cosmetics, helping brands strengthen their visual recognition and meet the market demand in the current context of consumer upgrading.

In addition to empowering high-end decoration, high viscosity inkjet technology has also demonstrated strong practical value in corrugated cardboard production, further expanding the application boundaries of inkjet technology. According to Malki, thicker ink can effectively reduce the residual moisture on the surface of cardboard, which not only greatly shortens the drying time but also reduces energy consumption; At the same time, the digital workflow does not require traditional consumables such as screens and foils, and with room temperature spraying technology, it further meets the needs of green production in the industry. Based on industry data, corrugated cardboard, as the mainstream packaging material worldwide, has a global market size of $231.7 billion by 2024 and is expected to increase to $277.6 billion by 2029. However, the current penetration rate of digital printing is only 1.1%. The application of Xaar related technologies is accelerating the digital transformation of the corrugated packaging industry from traditional flexographic printing, especially to meet the small batch and personalized packaging needs of the e-commerce era. It is expected that in the next five years, digital printing products in the corrugated packaging field will continue to grow rapidly at a compound annual growth rate of 12.8%.

Malki further stated that Xaar's print head technology is not limited to the packaging field, but originates from high demand industrial sectors such as automotive, glass, electronics, and renewable energy, which also brings reliability and durability far beyond industry standards in packaging applications. This cross industry technology transfer makes the application of inkjet technology in decoration processes more stable and safe, and can adapt to the strict production requirements in different scenarios. At the same time, Xaar continues to iterate through the ImagineX roadmap and advanced waveform control technology, achieving a wider range of fluid jetting in the future, unlocking more innovative applications such as tactile finishes, protective layers, and functional coatings, further expanding the boundaries of decoration processes, and promoting the industry's development towards a composite direction of "decoration+function".

From a macro perspective of industry development, Malki predicts that the future of the printing industry will be driven by technology that combines creative expression with excellent manufacturing performance. Currently, small batch customization, high-end packaging, and sustainable production have become irreversible development trends in the industry, and advanced inkjet platforms perfectly meet this transformation demand. It is predicted that the size of China's digital printing market will reach 80 billion yuan by 2025, and is expected to exceed 150 billion yuan by 2030, with an average annual compound growth rate of over 12%. The packaging printing field is leading the expansion with an average annual growth rate of 15%.

It is not difficult to see that advanced inkjet technology is not only driving the digital, refined, and green transformation of decoration processes, but also becoming the core driving force for the transformation and upgrading of the packaging industry. With the continuous technological innovation of enterprises such as Xaar and the widespread application of Jet iQ series products, inkjet technology will further break down the barriers of traditional processes, empower more industries to achieve dual improvement of creativity and efficiency, and inject lasting momentum into brand innovation and high-quality industrial development. In the future, inkjet technology that combines reliability, flexibility, and sustainability will surely shine brighter in the field of decoration technology, driving the entire industry into a new era