Tailored digitalization and automation of your ink workflow

As we reported in last month’s Labelexpo review, the message was clear: the industry recognizes that automation and digitalization are essential to competing in tomorrow’s packaging and label printing value chains. Beyond driving efficiency, these technologies are the key to staying sustainable, compliant and agile in a fast-moving, regulated supply chain – and to attracting a new generation of talent who expect smarter ways of working.

Automation eliminates repetitive production or administrative tasks without the need for human intervention. In ink logistics, this could mean automatically dispensing and mixing formulations, handling ink containers, weighing and processing press-return inks, or recording batch data. The result is more consistent, faster and more reliable quality – while freeing operators to focus on higher-value work.

Digitalization, or digital transformation, takes this a step further. It connects equipment, data systems and workflows so that information about materials, jobs and performance flows seamlessly across the process – from ink dispensing to printing, quality control and reporting. In practice, this means real-time visibility of ink inventory, instant access to recipes, importing ink requirements, as well as automated traceability and costing of every batch. This brings less administrative effort, stronger compliance and better, faster decisions.

Every company’s journey to an automated and digitalized ink workflow will look different. The primary concerns that drive that journey – regulatory compliance, sustainability reporting, optimizing OEE, time-to-market, for example – may depend on the markets you serve. Your digitalization / automation path may also be influenced by available resources and company culture.

For some, automation starts with a single dispenser to eliminate manual colour mixing. For others, the first step may be introducing software for reporting ink consumption or batch traceability. Regardless of where you begin, the end goal is the same: greater efficiency, transparency, and confidence in every batch of ink that reaches the press.

Digital transformation doesn’t have to happen all at once. You can picture the digital transformation journey as climbing a staircase on a graph. Along the x-axis, automation increases – from a simple tabletop manual dispenser to a fully automated ink kitchen with integrated conveyors, blenders and weighing stations. Up the y-axis, digitalization grows – from stand-alone dispensing control to full system integration, where ink data is instantly available across the business. Each step represents a practical, achievable stage towards smarter, more connected ink management.

An incremental approach often brings the converter the following benefits.

• Reduced financial risk: Starting with a limited package of hardware or software lowers initial costs and speeds up return on investment.
• Managed learning curve: New systems mean new habits. Starting small allows operators to adapt gradually, resolve early issues and establish best practices for broader rollouts.
• Tailored investment: By aligning each step with your growth and priorities, you ensure technology serves your workflow – not the other way around.

1. European SME label converter brings colour mixing in-house
A mid-sized label converter serving food brands in Italy aims to reduce costs and lead times by investing in a manual Colorsat FCS dispenser with a tailored software package. The company currently purchases ready-mixed spot colours from its ink supplier, but wants the flexibility to prepare up to ten small batches in-house for faster job changes. Ensuring full traceability and future integration with the company’s MIS are key priorities in the project. Looking ahead, the converter is considering reusing leftover inks.

2. African site upgrades existing technology for digital performance
An Africa-based branch of an international label converting group discovered that, instead of investing in new dispensing equipment, it could extend the life of its existing dispenser through an operating system upgrade combined with GSE Ink manager modules. The upgrade enables the converter to reuse return inks, calculate precise ink requirements from print designs, and import ink formulations – delivering a fast return on investment.

3. Dutch label printer aims to automate manual dispensing operations
A Dutch label printer that invested in a manual dispenser five years ago is now integrating the system with its ERP software. During the exhibition, the company initiated discussions about upgrading to an automatic dispensing system to increase capacity and meet growing demand. As workspace is limited and base inks are supplied in 5kg buckets, the converter expressed particular interest in a Colorsat Match solution. If the automation project goes ahead, the operator will continue using the same familiar software environment, with the existing database converted for a seamless transition.

As we explored here, modularity makes this incremental approach possible. A modular design means a system is built from interchangeable components with standardized interfaces, or software programs that can be added, upgraded or reconfigured later, as the printer’s needs evolve. For example, a Colorsat dispenser may start with a few base inks and later be expanded with extra components, a dedicated weighing station, or more powerful pumps, as production grows. Likewise, GSE Ink manager software can start with recipe management, then add modules for inventory control, traceability, reporting or ERP integration.

This flexibility lets converters scale up at their own pace, avoiding unnecessary cost or downtime. It also simplifies service, training, and upgrades, providing a future-proof solution that grows with the business.

GSE believes in the power of visualization. To make learning and planning easy, the company offers virtual showroom and augmented reality tools that allow converters to visualize how ink logistics systems integrate – both digitally and physically – into their operations. The virtual showroom contains different flowcharts per application area (labels, paper and board or flexible packaging) and illustrates how software supports the seamless flow of ink and data through the workflow (the “y-axis”). The augmented reality tool shows how machines and equipment can be physically integrated into existing production space (the “x-axis”).

These tools help decision-makers without deep technical expertise to see how automated and digitalized ink workflows will fit, perform, and deliver value.

There’s no single roadmap to digitalising ink logistics. Every converter’s journey will be unique – but with modular, scalable solutions and vendor expertise to guide each step, automation and digitalization are within everyone’s reach. Whether you start small or go big, every improvement builds towards the same outcome: a smarter, more sustainable, and more competitive printing operation.