Kento Digital Printing continues its expansion in the United States with the sale of a new Kento Hybrid Converter to ColorHub, a leading provider of corrugated printing solutions, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A new milestone for hybrid printing in North America
This installation reinforces the growing adoption of hybrid printing technology, which combines the efficiency of flexography with the precision of digital single-pass inkjet, plus the first inline rotary die cutter in a digital printer, all under the same control software.
ColorHub selected the “Converter” configuration for its new Kento Hybrid, which includes two flexo units, a single-pass inkjet module, and the newly introduced 66″ inline rotary die cutter. This advanced setup will enable ColorHub to optimize corrugated box production, reduce costs, and increase design flexibility, ultimately delivering superior-quality packaging to its current and new customers.
Bringing Efficiency, Quality, and Flexibility to Corrugated Printing
Hybrid printing is rapidly transforming the corrugated packaging industry by offering speed, versatility, and cost-efficiency in a single production line. Traditional digital printing solutions often face limitations in operating cost and production scale, while flexography alone lacks the flexibility required for short and mid-sized runs.
The multi-award-winning Kento Hybrid bridges this gap, allowing companies like ColorHub to streamline production and enhance Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) in new and existing plants.
With the inclusion of two flexo units, ColorHub can efficiently handle large solid backgrounds and special colors, saving up to 80% in digital ink costs, while the single-pass inkjet module ensures high-resolution printing and customization capabilities. On top of that, the 66” inline rotary die cutter further enhances production efficiency by enabling printing and cutting in a single pass—an industry first.
Why ColorHub Chose Kento Hybrid
As a forward-thinking company, ColorHub was looking for a printing solution that would provide:
- Versatility – The ability to handle both large-volume production and short-run, high-variation jobs.
- Cost Efficiency – Reduction in ink costs and waste, optimizing return on investment.
- Flexibility – A hybrid system that adapts to evolving customer demands.
- Sustainability – A solution that minimizes energy and water consumption, contributing to a greener production process.
Kento Hybrid meets all of these needs, allowing ColorHub to expand its capabilities and attract new customers who require fast turnaround times and high-quality graphics on corrugated packaging.
Kento’s Growing Global Footprint
This latest agreement with ColorHub reinforces Kento’s global expansion, with hybrid printing solutions in innovative plants in Europe, North America, and Africa.
The increasing adoption of Kento Hybrid by leading corrugated packaging companies highlights the industry’s shift toward modular, scalable, and cost-effective printing solutions. Kento’s continuous innovation, including the introduction of inline rotary die cutting, demonstrates its commitment to redefining what’s possible in corrugated packaging.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Hybrid Printing in the U.S.
As market demands evolve, hybrid printing is proving to be the solution for corrugated plants looking to improve their value proposition through efficiency, quality, and sustainability.
With this new Kento Hybrid installation at ColorHub, U.S. packaging manufacturers will have another success story to consider when looking at their next investment in high-performance printing technology for corrugated.
