CGS ORIS standardizes flexo and digital proofing at Hengze with dual Durst press integration

The convergence of conventional flexography and digital inkjet printing has long presented a color management headache for label converters. Running test proofs directly on production presses eats up valuable machine time, wastes expensive substrate, and creates unnecessary bottlenecks in the prepress department. Now, a recent deployment in China illustrates a practical, technology-driven pathway out of this operational inefficiency.

In October 2026, Chinese label converter Hengze was officially designated as a CGS ORIS Label Industry Benchmark User and Strategic Partner. This recognition follows the successful integration of CGS FlexPack and CGS Press Matcher systems alongside two newly installed Durst digital inkjet label presses. The implementation, completed within a tight three-month window with technical support from Shanghai Haobo, marks a significant operational shift for the converter and sets a new standard for hybrid production environments.

Standardizing the Prepress Workflow

Instead of relying on the traditional, material-heavy approach of running test proofs directly on flexo and digital presses, Hengze has established a fully standardized color workflow. The new protocol moves systematically from screen proofing to digital proofing, ensuring production color consistency before a single meter of production substrate is printed.

The CGS FlexPack system allows the converter to create color-accurate packaging proofs and prototypes, while the Press Matcher software ensures that the output from the Durst digital presses aligns perfectly with the results from their conventional flexographic equipment. This level of integration is critical in today's market, where brand owners demand absolute color fidelity regardless of the printing technology used for a specific run.

Li Xiaocheng, chairman of Hengze, noted that the deployment provides vital technical support as the company navigates the complex transition where conventional and digital printing converge. By achieving precise color matching between proofing and production—and crucially, between the Durst digital presses and traditional flexography—the converter has drastically shortened customer proofing times. Furthermore, it has resolved the historical conversion challenges between the two print processes, greatly enhancing their flexible manufacturing capacity and market responsiveness.

Market Pressures and Material Efficiency

From an industry perspective, this installation highlights a broader trend in the Chinese packaging sector. Bernd Ruckert, CEO of CGS ORIS, pointed out during the certification ceremony that intense competitive pressure and the stringent demands of international brands are making automation, digitalization, and advanced color management non-negotiable for future success.

By stabilizing print quality and cutting material waste, Hengze is positioning itself to handle the growing demand for shorter runs and faster turnarounds without sacrificing profit margins. The reduction in test runs directly translates to lower material consumption, aligning operational efficiency with broader industry sustainability goals. Every meter of substrate saved during the proofing phase is a direct contribution to a more resource-efficient production model.

The ability to seamlessly match color across disparate printing technologies is no longer just a technical luxury; it is a fundamental requirement for modern label converting. As converters globally look to balance their flexo and digital assets, standardized prepress workflows will be the critical bridge that allows them to route jobs dynamically based on press availability and run length, rather than being constrained by color matching limitations.

This integration by CGS ORIS at Hengze proves that bridging the gap between flexo and digital is not only possible but highly profitable when executed with the right color management architecture. Will more converters abandon on-press proofing to embrace fully digitized color workflows before the end of the decade? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai