The Starflex series from NBG Printographic Machinery is specifically engineered for labels, flexible packaging, and light cartons. Combining established flexographic technology with a modular design, it empowers converters to effectively operate across various substrates, including both paper and films. This versatile platform is offered in narrow-, mid-, and wide-web configurations, making it suitable for a diverse range of applications from premium labels to sustainable paper-based packaging solutions.
The Starflex series, first introduced in 2017, initially featured mechanical line shaft (MLS) technology and has since advanced to a fully electronic line shaft (ELS) platform. This evolution underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing print precision, operational flexibility, and production efficiency tailored to the needs of modern converters. As noted by Taruna Garg, chief operating officer at NBG Printographic Machinery, the Starflex range is specifically engineered to enable converters to achieve high-quality results for labels, flexible packaging, and paper-based products with consistent accuracy. The innovative ELS drive system guarantees precise registration even in intricate multi-process jobs, while facilitating quick job changeovers and minimizing setup waste, ultimately driving down production costs.
The Starflex range is strategically designed for printers and converters in the label, flexible packaging, light carton, and paper-based packaging markets. As highlighted by Garg, it offers a versatile platform suitable for narrow- and mid-web applications, allowing diversified converters to efficiently manage multiple substrates. In the realm of wide-web applications, this range facilitates the scaling of sustainable paper packaging production without sacrificing cost efficiency. Engineered for productivity and reliability, the presses can achieve impressive speeds of up to 200 m/min, complemented by quick changeovers and minimal downtime. Additionally, the incorporation of Automated Registration Control (ARC) significantly improves print stability, and optional inline finishing modules are available to further streamline operations.
One of the key strengths of the Starflex platform is its modular architecture, which allows converters to begin with a core flexo configuration and gradually integrate additional processes as their business needs evolve. This includes options for gravure coating, cold foil, lamination, or varnishing, providing a hybrid-ready approach that permits companies to expand their capabilities without significant upfront investment. For narrow- and mid-web applications, the Starflex press excels in producing premium labels and flexible packaging featuring metallic effects or specialty coatings all in a single pass. The inclusion of an inline gravure station enhances this further, enabling high-quality coating and intricate printing to meet diverse customer requirements.
The wide-web configuration is specifically designed to enhance paper-based packaging applications, which encompass products such as paper bags, cups, mailer bags, and corrugation pre-print. As the demand for sustainable packaging solutions continues to rise, this platform allows converters to produce high-volume paper packaging in an efficient manner. Standard Starflex configurations typically incorporate unwind, flexo printing units, and rewind modules, all backed by UV LED curing technology. Additionally, there are optional modules available for integration, including gravure coating stations, hot-air drying, cold foil, lamination, varnishing, and various slitting or finishing units, tailored to meet specific application needs.
Looking ahead, NBG Printographic is committed to expanding the global reach of the Starflex platform by forging stronger partnerships with converters and enhancing its service capabilities. The company will concentrate on process optimization, operator training, and improving its support infrastructure, all designed to help customers achieve greater efficiency and a quicker return on investment. According to Garg, “We aim to deliver end-to-end solutions that support converters from installation to long-term production performance.”
