New Gravure Press Cuts Solvent Costs 40 Percent
Packaging printers can use the new MASTER 6003 to lower ink circulation volumes and automate required resource tracking.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Consumer Goods
Live Poll
Would you prioritize new automated production equipment to improve efficiency in your business operations?
BOBST has launched the MASTER 6003 gravure press, a new machine designed for packaging printers to improve efficiency. The press features an updated inking system and automated cleaning to reduce resource waste and operational costs.
Why it matters
Packaging printers are under increasing pressure to lower material consumption to protect margins while meeting tightening regulatory and customer requirements for resource traceability.
The MASTER 6003 press achieves a 60% reduction in ink circulation volume and cuts solvent consumption by up to 40% compared to standard systems. Automated cell-cleaning cycles are designed to finish within one minute.
The players
BOBST
A global manufacturer of machinery and services for the packaging and label industries.
Beswick Machinery
An industrial machinery agent serving the Southern Africa market.
The details
The press utilizes a LeanPrint inking system that optimizes the path between the ink tank and the press, reducing the volume of ink currently in the pipes. Integrated measurement devices provide real-time monitoring of energy and ink usage, creating a data trail for regulatory compliance. Additionally, the barrier-free auxiliary trolley simplifies the physical handling of ink tanks to reduce labor time during changeovers.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: BOBST announced the MASTER 6003 gravure press.
Market Landscape
The introduction of the MASTER 6003 follows a broader industry trend toward digitizing and automating resource management in printing. It builds on the LeanPrint inking system to address persistent demands for both lower consumption and higher traceability in packaging production.
Packaging printers should evaluate their current ink and solvent waste levels to determine if the 40% to 60% resource reductions promised by this system offer a viable path to improved margins. Consider the long-term benefit of integrated usage tracking as a tool for meeting tightening client requirements for documentation.
The takeaway
Operators should view the shift toward integrated resource tracking as a necessary evolution for securing contracts with high-compliance clients. Track current cell-cleaning downtime to identify if a one-minute automated cycle provides enough throughput improvement to justify a capital investment.
Further reading
For broader trends in manufacturing equipment, see our Consumer Goods section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Africaprint.
Live Poll
Would you prioritize new automated production equipment to improve efficiency in your business operations?
