KIT & CONSUMABLES | NEWS 12 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk May | June 2026 - Issue 360 printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink printmonthly Konica Minolta announces JETvarnish 3D Web 400 Konica Minolta Business Solutions UK has unveiled the JETvarnish 3D Web 400, a new digital embellishment solution for label converters. The JETvarnish 3D Web 400 is the latest-generation roll-to-roll digital embellishment press from strategic partner, MGI Digital Technology. The roll-to-roll solution enables single-pass spot UV varnishing and hot foil stamping using a 100% digital process on a wide range of substrates. It is suitable for offset, flexo, toner, or inkjet printing, and can work with both fixed or variable data for either flat or 3D labels. With a modular concept, the JETvarnish 3D Web 400 is available in six configurations Trade printer and online print provider, Solopress, has been announced as the first UK company to install a RICOH Pro VC80000 high-speed inkjet press. The investment is said to be a part of a £2m+ investment by Solopress which is hoping to boost its digital print capacity by around 80%, strengthening its production capabilities and turnaround times in the process. Solopress’ investment includes the VC80000 as well as a Ricoh C9500 toner engine and a Horizon Ice StichLiner Mark V which was purchased from Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS). The VC80000 is reported to deliver speeds of up to 150m per minute with AI-driven automation, and real-time print quality monitoring. UK online trade printer, Route 1 Print, has announced an initial £1m investment into its Stickers & Labels range, with further investment planned in the coming months. The investment at the Rotheram-based printer, which operates from a 300,000sq ft production facility, is part of its ongoing commitment to innovation and supporting print resellers. At the core of this investment is the addition of a new HP Indigo 6K digital press, which is designed for high-quality, consistent output across a wide range of label materials while supporting flexible, short-run production, and fast turnaround times. The HP press has been complemented by further investment into finishing capabilities, including the installation of an ABG Digicon Lite digital finishing system, designed to provide precise cutting and efficient finishing in order to increase capacity and maintain quality across stickers and labels. The business has also hinted at a major additional finishing technology set to be introduced in the coming months which it believes will further strengthen its position to create “one of the most advanced stickers and labels setups in the UK market.” This development has continued into 2026 with the introduction of new material options, including transparent polypropylene and silver metallic polypropylene, opening further opportunities for premium label applications. To further support its trade customers, Route 1 Print has introduced a fully unbranded Stickers & Labels sample pack, which enables resellers to showcase the range directly to their own clients. Route 1’s new HP Indigo 6K press will support flexible and short-run label and sticker production First VC80000 installed at Solopress Route 1 Print makes £1m investment [R to L] Jack Clifford from Solopress with engineers from Ricoh at Solopress’ premises in Southend-on-Sea By Jonathan Pert By David Osgar Flexpress makes UK first investment Trade printer, Flexpress, has ordered a RMGT 970PF-8 from MPL, the UK distributor for RMGT offset litho presses based in Surrey. The investment has been cited as the first of its kind for mainland UK, due to the new SimulChange automatic plate changing system which is incorporated into the system. The press includes an eight-colour system which incorporates LED-UV drying and camera-based quality control equipment. As part of the SimulChange system, the press can remove and load eight plates in 65 seconds. Chairman of Flexpress, Steve Wenlock, calls the purchase the company’s “biggest ever investment” ands a major upgrade to operations. CDS Print Services boosts output with Plockmatic Following a major investment programme in 2024 and 2025, CDS Print Services has upgraded multiple finishing lines with the latest systems from Morgana and Plockmatic. The business recently unified all its print-related activity under the CDS Print Services name, following an internal reorganisation designed to drive closer alignment across its teams and enable faster turnaround for clients. Installed in 2024, the Morgana BM5035 bookletmaker unit has already produced more than 380,000 books for CDS, transforming digitally printed sheets into fully finished booklets. The RMGT 970PF-8 long perfector is part of the RMGT 9 Series [Pictured] Darren Burley, head of operations at CDS Print Services By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
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