Customized packaging offers the personalization that regular boxes and pouches lack, but among its setbacks are longer lead times.

There can be last-minute artwork changes or rush batches of cartons, all of which can rapidly tighten the schedule.

Digital printing resolves all that. Imagine production beginning immediately as soon as the process files arrive.

Here’s how the tech is revolutionizing custom prints and a list of tried and tested machines helping teams jump from one graphic to the next.

How Digital Printing Reduces Custom Packaging Lead Times

Digital presses that operate in high-volume packaging environments follow the same principle – faster throughput paired with stable, repeatable color. Here’s how the technology delivers that balance.

• Elimination of plates and setup time: The absence of plates removes one of the most time-intensive gates in package printing. A press receives the incoming file, reads its production parameters and queues it without the mechanical steps that slow analog systems.
• Same-day prototyping: Rapid prototyping acts as an accelerant for design and approval workflows. Digital engines process carton, label and sleeve samples on the exact substrates used for final production, which eliminates guesswork about coating adhesion, gloss levels and color behavior.
• Variable data printing: This technology supports operations with frequent artwork changes and label rotations. Digital engines interpret each data layer — ingredient blocks, compliance updates, flavor variants — without halting the run. This is particularly valuable for producers who handle seasonal batches, promotional themes or region-specific packaging.
• Short-run efficiency: Short-run efficiency is one of the strongest technical advantages in digital workflows. Instead of batching large volumes to meet economic thresholds, operations plan production in smaller, more targeted segments. This aligns it closely with demand planning, helps reduce obsolete inventory and gives converters tighter control over changeovers.
• Automation and workflow integration: Automation ties all the gains together. Modern digital workflows rely on calibrated color engines, RIP processors optimized for packaging layouts and MIS connections that feed job data directly to the press. These tools reduce manual interventions that commonly slow shifts, such as file conversions, layout adjustments and color rechecks.

The 7 Best Digital Machines for Custom Package Printing

The market is ripe with countless options, but businesses don’t need to sift through them all just to find the best one. Here are the leading contenders that print professionals trust.

1. Fujifilm J Press FP790

The J Press FP790 is a top-rated digital printing solution designed for creating full-color flexible packaging. Its speed runs at 164 feet per minute, utilizing water-based inks that meet food safety regulations. It’s known for its high production quality with resolutions up to 1200 dpi, so you get that sharpness and line accuracy.

In addition to these benefits, the single-pass inkjet technology also makes it the foremost choice for converters seeking to transition from analog to digital, as it offers the fastest architecture for packaging and label workflows. This contributes to the machine’s efficiency in handling large print cycles, short-run customization and variable data printing.

2. Durst Tau 340 RSC

Tau 340 RSC is a leader in industrial, food and beverage, cosmetics and commercial labels. It has a print speed of up to 262 feet or 80 meters per minute, making it among the fastest in the industry. This high throughput directly reduces lead times.

Additionally, its native resolution reaches 1,200 dpi, compatible with up to an 8-color station, allowing clients to achieve cleaner fine lines and sharper microtext. The UV ink also holds up well against environmental factors, which makes it ideal for label converters serious about speed and abrasion resistance.

3. HP Indigo Digital Press Series

HP’s Indigo Press is consistently positioned as a market leader in print packaging. There are multiple variations to choose from, depending on product needs. For flexible packages, there’s the HP Indigo 200K, which achieves a speed of 183 feet per minute in Enhanced Productivity Mode (EPM), while running at 131 feet per minute in standard mode. The machine utilizes Liquid Electrophotography with one-shot technology to create precise prints with perfect color-to-color registration, making it ideal for heat-sensitive applications and dimensionally unstable materials, such as plastics and films.

4. Xeikon CX3 / CX500 Series

Xeikon presses are known for their dry toner technology and high productivity. The CX3 and CX500 belong to its Cheetah Series, designed primarily for high-end, self-adhesive label production. Both use a five-color configuration. While the toner offers strong chroma, it can have a slower mechanical throughput, which is evident in its printing speed of 98 feet per minute. Key applications include pressure-sensitive labels, folding cartons and flexible packaging.

5. Domino N610i Digital Label Press

The Domino N610i is a true workhorse and it’s one of the most proven digital label presses on the market. While its 600 dpi output sits on the lower end compared to printing systems that reach 1,200 dpi today, it still performs well for packaging formats with bold imagery and larger typography, since those elements don’t require the precision needed for fine microtext. It continues to deliver reliable, consistent production for high-volume label work.

6. EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus

The EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus is a high-speed, single-pass digital inkjet printer. Its primary claim to fame is its ability to impress directly onto corrugated board and display at a very high run rate, which it achieves at up to 246 feet per minute. It can print on substrates with a maximum board size of 71 inches by 118 inches, making it ideal for premium-grade displays as well. This eliminates entire steps from the traditional manufacturing process, which is why major packaging converters opt for it.

7. Epson SurePress L-6534VW

Epson’s SurePress L-6534VW is another strong contender digital inkjet production. Its standout features include UV-curing inks and the ability to lay down a high-opacity white layer, which helps colors stand out on clear and metallic substrates. It also supports variable data printing, making it suitable for applications that require unique information on every label. In terms of speed, it reaches 164 feet or 50 meters per minute.

Comparison at a Glance

 

Printer	Speed (feet/min)	Resolution (dpi)	Print Type	Ink Type	Supported Substrates
Fujifilm J Press FP790	164	1,200 x 1,200 90% Pantone color gamut	Single-pass inkjet	Water-based, food-safe	Flexible packaging films such as PET, BOPP and BOPA   Thickness range of 12 to 40 microns
Durst Tau 340 RSC	262	1,200 x 1,200	Single-pass inkjet	UV-curable ink	Coated and uncoated paper, white and transparent film, PP, PE, PVC, PET and BOPP   Thickness range of 100 to 500 microns
HP Indigo Digital Press 200K	183 (EPM) 137(4-color mode) 110 (5-color mode)	812 dpi at 8-bit 97% Pantone color gamut	Liquid Electrophotography (LEP)	Specialized ElectroInk	Paper, synthetics such as polypropylene and polyester, metallized and other specialty   Thickness range of 10 to 400 microns
Xeikon CX3 / CX500 Series	98	1,200	Dry toner digital presses, electrophotography technology	Cheetah dry toner	Self-adhesive and pressure-sensitive labels, paper, films such as BOPP, polyethylene, PET and polypropylene, folding cartons and flexible packaging materials
Domino N610i Digital Label Press	246 (rapid mode) 164 (high-quality mode)	600 x 600 90% of the Pantone color range	Piezoelectric inkjet	UV-curable ink	Paper, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and PET
EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus	246	360 (native resolution) 720 (effective resolution)	Single-pass inkjet	UV-curable ink	Corrugated packaging and display manufacturing
Epson SurePress L-6534VW	164	600 x 1,200	UV linehead inkjet	UV-curable ink	Adhesive paper, adhesive film, single-layer paper, single-layer film, PP, PE, PET, Yupo, coated paper, uncoated paper and foil.

Methodology for Selecting the Most Efficient Presses

Speed is just one of the criteria. Here are the other factors that were evaluated to ensure converters get the most out of their machine investment before committing.

• Print quality: The press must achieve excellent color density, smooth tonal transitions and minimal banding.
• Substrate compatibility: Versatility is essential for converters handling a diverse range of jobs, from flexible packaging to specialty applications.
• Production speed: The evaluation includes maximum speed, real-world throughput and the ability to maintain quality at higher production pace consistently.
• Operational costs: Efficient presses must optimize ink usage, reduce waste and limit downtime.
• Workflow integration: The system should integrate easily into existing operations, enhance automation and support variable or short-run work.

Faster Package Printing Starts With Smarter Presses

Digital presses alter the pace of a packaging floor in a way that teams can immediately feel. The top systems in this lineup show how much time a converter recovers once color accuracy, substrate handling and workflow automation move in sync rather than fighting each other.

However, there is no perfect machine. The right match depends on what the plant tackles most often. High-opacity film work? Rapid job switches? Food-safe inks for flexible packs? Select the press that aligns with those realities and see lead times decrease as the entire workflow operates with less friction.