Opal’s Speciality Packaging team has launched a wonderland awash with vibrant colour, show stopping design and clever engineering – all made from cardboard and powered by cutting-edge digital technologies.

Spotlighting its end-to-end specialty packaging capabilities, Opal’s Innovation Expo showcased new digital printing and cutting technologies that redefine the speed, flexibility and creative possibilities.

The event brought together customers, suppliers, designers and creative agencies to experience first-hand how Opal’s design, manufacturing and national delivery network can create bespoke, commercially effective and innovative packaging solutions.

A highlight of the expo was the national rollout of advanced digital printing and cutting systems from Kissel+Wolf, including the Revo and iECHO, integrated with the ESKO Automation Engine.

As part of a live demonstration of the new technology, attendees were immersed in a carefully staged experience. Their journey began with their photo being taken in front of a striking laneway scene.

Attendees then stepped inside a life-size cardboard house filled with creative and innovative packaging products, before moving to the factory floor to see Opal’s newest technology in action, including the high-speed Nozomi printer, Revo digital press, Highcon Laser cutting technology and iECHO cutting systems.

By the time the attendees reached the end of the Expo tour, their photos were printed, cut and finished in under 20 minutes, as a vivid reminder of the speed and quality now achievable with Opal’s printing technology.

These technologies enable short and medium-run print jobs, rapid prototyping and customised solutions for retail point of sale displays, specialty packaging and promotional and seasonal product campaigns – capabilities that were previously challenging to achieve in Australia at scale.

Paul Godenzi, Regional General Manager, Specialty Packaging Victoria says Opal’s point of difference is the ability to provide customers with fast, high-quality, striking printing solutions. “The same print technology on show has been rolled out at Opal Speciality Packaging sites in New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand, meaning customers can experience consistent, vibrant, high quality printing across multiple locations, which can deliver freight efficiencies,” said Paul.

Jamie Weller, Managing Director of Kissel + Wolf believes Opal’s commitment and investment in advanced digital technology across multiple sites is a bold step that sets a new benchmark in the industry. “We’re proud to collaborate with Opal to supply innovative digital solutions across multiple sites,” said Jamie.

Attendees experienced the technology in action, met with the teams behind Opal’s creative and structural design, and explored a showcase of printed packaging solutions for diverse industries.

Founder of Watson Design, David Watson was impressed by the scale and advanced technology on show. “As a creative design agency, we’re always keen to learn more about bringing brands to life. It was impressive to see the combination of smart structural engineering paired with stand-out print quality,” said David.

Opal offers a strong value proposition around flexibility and speed in market through bespoke, shorter print runs and the ability to scale up for larger volume print runs, as required. Paired with design expertise and a manufacturing network, Opal is able to unlock new opportunities for brands to stand out in competitive markets.