News

Hewlett Packard's specialist printing systems (SPS) division has launched its Pharma Black ink on the European market at this year's Interpack.

The ink, which was introduced in North America at the end of 2007, enables pharmaceutical firms to print directly onto tablets or capsules to improve product traceability and tackle counterfeiting.

Brian Cruz, marketing director for HP speciality printing systems, said: "Pharma Black can be used with non-contact printing techniques to improve yield by reducing the number of tablets that can be damaged in the printing process.

HP has also urged packaging firms "not to leave digital printing in the manufacturing department" and improve their customers' knowledge of its capabilities, particularly for short product runs.

Enric Martinez-Abarca, Industrial Business Manager for HP Indigo, said: "Sales and marketing teams should be aware of how digital printing can help them differentiate their products."

Martinez-Abarca said that digital printing was ideally suited to seasonal and short run product lines, and confirmed that the newest Indigo press, the WS 6000, would be on the market at the beginning of next year.