Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Heineken and Löwenbräu are just some of the brands on a list of world-renowned drinks manufacturers that have their bottle labels printed at Aluprint in Vrútky, Slovakia. Managing Director Ludevít Paulini (Ing.) is very proud of these prominent clients and is extremely conscious that his customers demand a consistently high print quality.

Managing Director Ludevít Paulini (Ing.) (center), Production Manager Vladimír Veselovský (Ing.) (left) and Peter Cerer (Product Manager at Muller Martini Austria) in front of the new Alprinta 52V at Aluprint in Vrútky, Slovakia.

Currently 95% Plastic Film
This applies in particular to plastic film printing, which has become increasingly important recently. 2001 saw Aluprint become one of the first companies in Slovakia to print on plastic film. At this point in time, the ratio of plastic film to paper was 1:20. Nine years later, the situation has changed completely. Today, plastic film comprises 95% of label turnover – a trend that continues to grow, due not least to the permanently declining square meter price for plastic film.

The plastic film – for which five or six different printing colors are used at most – is printed on an Alprinta 52V web offset printing press from Muller Martini with six offset units and two flexo units.

“Considerably Lower Costs”
“Previously, we had a UV flexo web-fed machine,” explains Production Manager Vladimír Veselovský (Ing.). “Thanks to the new Alprinta 52V, we now have access to hybrid printing technology and can also print in both UV offset and UV flexo modes on the same machine. After an elaborate evaluation process, which included numerous tests, this was one of the main reasons why we decided on the solution from Muller Martini. Another reason is the fast job changeover time and the simple, modern operation – ideal for our young machine operators, who are very skilled on computers.”

Simple operation was one of the reasons Aluprint opted for the Alprinta 52V.

When Reliability is Required
According to Ludevít Paulini, high production speeds of up to 365 meters per minute can be achieved. This is particularly important during the warmer times of year, when the Alprinta 52V is printing drinks labels 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “During this period,” says Vladimír Veselovský, “we are reliant on our printing presses being extremely reliable.”

In addition to labels, Aluprint is also printing an increasing number of shrink sleeves for yoghurt pots, which are applied using thermal adhesive. “Shrink sleeves are a business segment with a promising future,” says Ludevít Paulini. “We are therefore encouraging our customers to use these products. In doing so, we have a great advantage over our competitors – not only do we have our own marketing specialists, but we also have an in-house creative department.”