L&NW: What trends is Durst seeing in the label and package printing space?

BW: We continue to see converters balancing efficiency with flexibility. Brand owners are demanding faster turnaround times, shorter runs, and increasingly complex designs, which makes digital adoption accelerate. 1200dpi inkjet is taking a strong foothold in the industry due to it’s speed, quality and efficiency. 

At the same time, converters are looking for systems that can handle long runs more economically, so productivity and reliability are becoming the key differentiators. Sustainability is also moving from “nice-to-have” to a business requirement, with waste reduction, recyclability, and optimized ink usage driving investment decisions.

Durst’s Tau Label platform has been successful because it delivers best-in-class print quality while also providing the speed, uptime, and cost-efficiency converters need to compete.

L&NW: How has hybrid technology evolved in recent years, and what are the benefits?

BW: Hybrid technology has matured significantly. Where early hybrids were often compromises, today’s systems combine the best of flexo and inkjet into a single fully integrated workflow. Durst’s KJet platform is a great example—it offers the highest-quality inkjet for versioned, short, medium and long run jobs, with integrated flexo for primers, spot colors, and varnishes. The benefit is true production flexibility: converters can run a job 100% digital when needed or seamlessly combine flexo for embellishment and long-run economics. This reduces setup time, consolidates production steps, and creates a single, efficient platform for a wide variety of label applications.

L&NW: What were Durst’s goals when engineering the KJet, and what feedback have you seen from the market?

BW: When we developed the KJet, our goal was to give converters a hybrid solution without compromise—one that leverages Durst’s inkjet expertise while integrating flexo capabilities into a unified platform. We engineered it for maximum flexibility: white, varnish, and finishing modules all in a single pass. The feedback from the market has been overwhelmingly positive. Customers appreciate that they can adapt to virtually any job, whether that’s a highly decorated short run or a longer flexo-dominated project with digital customization. They also value the reliability and service Durst is known for, ensuring that the KJet runs as a true production press, not just a niche device.

L&NW: What did Durst highlight at Labelexpo Europe?

BW: Labelexpo remains a critical platform for showcasing our innovations and engaging directly with converters. At the recent show, Durst highlighted the full breadth of our Tau Label portfolio and hybrid solutions, along with workflow and automation tools that support customers beyond the press. We were focused on demonstrating how digital and hybrid technologies can unlock new levels of efficiency and profitability. Visitors to our stand saw more than just machines; they saw a complete ecosystem—software, service, and ink solutions—with a strong team to offer long term support.

L&NW: How has Durst’s global presence grown in recent years?

BW: Durst has always had a strong international footprint, but in the last several years we’ve expanded significantly in North America and globally. We’ve invested heavily in local service organizations, demo centers, and application specialists so that customers receive expert support close to home. Strategic partnerships and installations with leading converters worldwide have also reinforced Durst’s reputation as a global technology leader. Today, we’re not just delivering presses—we’re delivering a complete, locally supported solution that helps converters transform their business models in every region of the world.