Product Watch: Arrow Digital's printers

Team WhatPackaging? (WP?): What do the ArrowJet Aqua 330R or ArrowJet Aqua 800M do?
Samir Patel (SP:) The ArrowJet Aqua 330R and ArrowJet Aqua 800M are single-pass digital printers designed for label and flexible packaging applications. With a print web width ranging from shorter to wider, up to 25.39 inches, these printers are built to meet the growing demand for short-run printing. Powered by Memjet's DuraFlex technology, these water-based pigment inkjet printers offer 1,600 x 1,600-dpi resolution, delivering precision, colour vibrancy, and speed. With a compact, modular design, they provide cost-effective, sustainable, and versatile printing solutions for brands and converters, helping to reduce lead times and eliminate inventory waste.

WP?: Why is it a game-changer for flexible packaging users in India?
SP: Flexible packaging in India is rapidly evolving, driven by sustainability concerns, increasing demand for customisation, and the need for short-run printing. The ArrowJet Aqua 330R and ArrowJet Aqua 800M empower businesses to eliminate minimum order quantities (MOQs), reduce waste, and ensure fast turnarounds. These printers are especially beneficial for startups, mid-sized brands, and large enterprises seeking to transition from traditional flexo printing to digital, on-demand solutions. Featuring water-based pigment inks, the printers comply with Nestle and Swiss regulatory guidelines, ensuring they are safe for use in food and pharmaceutical packaging.

WP?: Explain what types of materials it is suitable for.
SP: Both printers are designed to deliver print quality across a wide range of substrates, making them versatile for various packaging applications. They support paper-based labels, film-based flexible packaging, foils, and metallised films, ensuring compatibility with diverse industry requirements.

Additionally, they can print on PET, PP, and BOPP substrates, offering durability and performance across multiple packaging formats. The printers are also well-suited for blister packs and shrink sleeves, providing flexibility for specialised applications. They are also compatible with eco-friendly and compostable materials, making them a sustainable choice for businesses aiming to reduce their environmental footprint.

WP?: When was it launched in India?
SP: The ArrowJet Aqua 330R was officially launched in India in 2023, followed by the ArrowJet Aqua 800M in 2024. Both models received strong market reception across the FMCG, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and premium beverage industries.

WP?: What market segments is the product successful in? Please share one print application. 
SP: The ArrowJet Aqua 330R and 800M have gained significant traction in the F&B, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and nutraceutical sectors, where short-run flexible packaging and variable printing are essential. One standout example of its application is in short-run coffee packaging. Premium coffee and tea brands, both in India and globally, have leveraged these printers to produce high-quality, customisable pouches with batch-specific variable data printing, QR codes, and serialisation — features that traditional flexo printing often struggles to achieve.

WP?: How many installations do you have so far?
SP: The ArrowJet Aqua 330R and ArrowJet Aqua 800M have been installed at multiple locations in India and around the world. Key clients include Neha Converters, Influx Packaging, and prominent contract manufacturers for F&B brands.

WP?: What is the typical short-run definition for this product?
SP: In digital flexible packaging, a short run typically ranges from 500 to 10,000-metres of printed output. The ArrowJet Aqua 330R allows converters to print only what is needed, minimising waste and reducing storage costs. With no MOQ, it significantly lowers printing costs while maximising profit margins for both brands and converters.

WP?: How easy is it to integrate with the existing colour management system?
SP: The ArrowJet series is designed for integration with existing colour management systems. Utilising Memjet’s DuraFlex technology, it supports profiles from the International Colour Consortium (ICC), rasterised image processing (RIP) software, and industry-standard colour workflows, ensuring precise and consistent colour reproduction across various substrates. The system is equipped with colour calibration tools, enabling users to achieve accurate colour matching while optimising ink efficiency. With CMYK water-based pigment inks and high-resolution printing up to 1,600x1,600-dpi, the ArrowJet ensures superior print quality with minimal setup time, making it an easy and efficient addition to any colour-managed workflow.

WP?: How does it differ from similar products in the market? And other types of digital print technology?
SP: The ArrowJet Aqua 330R and ArrowJet Aqua 800M stand out in the market due to their high-resolution (1,600x1,600-dpi) water-based pigment inkjet technology, delivering exceptional print quality and durability. These models use CMYK water-based inks, making them a more sustainable and food-safe option, particularly ideal for flexible packaging, labels, and shrink sleeves.

Compared to thermal or piezo inkjet systems, the ArrowJet Aqua series offers higher print speeds (up to 195-metres per minute) without compromising on quality. Unlike toner-based digital printers, which often face limitations in substrate compatibility and higher energy consumption, these printers can efficiently print on a wide range of materials, including eco-friendly and compostable substrates. The modular design and advanced RIP software further enhance their flexibility, allowing for seamless workflow integration and improved operational efficiency.

WP?: What is the USP?
SP: The ArrowJet Aqua Series offers exceptional speed, precision, and sustainability. It delivers high-speed digital printing of up to 195 feet per minute, with typical running speeds of 45-60 feet per minute for detailed graphics and variable data jobs. With high resolution, it ensures sharp graphics and microtext, making it ideal for high-quality printing applications. Utilising Swiss-compliant, water-based pigment inks, it is a safe choice for food and pharmaceutical packaging. The printer supports unlimited customisation and variable data printing, enabling highly personalised prints. Additionally, it offers a lower cost per print compared to other digital alternatives, while maintaining eco-friendly, sustainable printing with zero volatile organic compound emissions.

WP?: What are the maximum and average speeds?
SP: ArrowJet Aqua 330R and ArrowJet Aqua 800M are designed for 24x7 production, ensuring maximum efficiency with minimal downtime. Their advanced ink delivery system provides consistent performance, reducing interruptions during long print runs. Additionally, with inline finishing solutions like the Arrow EZCut 350R, users can streamline their workflow and complete jobs seamlessly, further enhancing overall productivity.

WP?: How does it score on merits like being trouble-free?
SP: The ArrowJet Aqua 330R and ArrowJet Aqua 800M are engineered for high-performance digital printing, ensuring minimal maintenance and maximum uptime. Leveraging Memjet’s technology, these printers deliver seamless operation, reduced downtime, and optimised workflow efficiency. With automated printhead maintenance, a smart ink management system, and user-friendly RIP software, they provide consistent, high-quality output with minimal operator intervention.

The ArrowJet Aqua 800M stands out with its wider web width of up to 25.39-inches, making it ideal for large-scale flexible packaging applications. It also features an inline priming and drying system, ensuring superior ink adhesion on challenging substrates, while predictive maintenance alerts help prevent unexpected downtime. On the other hand, the ArrowJet Aqua 330R offers a compact footprint, making it perfect for converters needing short-run, cost-effective digital printing without sacrificing speed or quality.

Both machines are built for uninterrupted workflow, sustainable production, and maximum profitability, offering converters a powerful, worry-free printing solution that adapts to evolving market demands.

WP?: What tech support does the team at Arrow offer?
SP: With 24x7 remote support and onsite assistance, users can count on expert guidance whenever needed. Regular preventive maintenance and software updates help keep the printer performing at its best while minimising downtime. Additionally, comprehensive operator training and custom workflow assistance empower businesses to enhance efficiency and streamline production. For added convenience, service contracts are available, providing a hassle-free printing experience with ongoing support and maintenance.

WP?: What kind of factory acceptance tests do you follow?
SP: Before installation, every ArrowJet printer undergoes a rigorous factory acceptance testing (FAT) process to ensure top performance and reliability. This includes precise printhead calibration and ink flow tests to guarantee smooth and consistent operation. Colour consistency and ICC profiling validation are performed to maintain accurate, repeatable colour output. Substrate compatibility checks are also conducted to ensure optimal adhesion and print quality across various materials. To confirm durability and efficiency, each machine undergoes a 24-hour stress test at maximum speed, ensuring it meets the highest industry standards before reaching the customer.

WP?: Any feedback from your customers? How easy is it to commission?
SP: Clients have consistently praised the ArrowJet Aqua 330R and ArrowJet 800M for their plug-and-play installation, user-friendly operation, and outstanding print quality. One of our key customers, a leading nutraceutical packaging brand, shared that their production efficiency increased by 40% after switching to ArrowJet Aqua 330R from traditional flexo.

WP?: When we met, you shared details about the certifications? Which criteria are these, and why are they so important in this day and age?
SP: Nestle and Swiss Ordinance Regulations – ensuring safety for food and pharmaceutical packaging, ISO 9001 & GMP standards – meeting international quality and manufacturing best practices, FDA & FSSC 22000 – compliant with food safety guidelines for secure packaging, REACH & RoHS compliance – free from harmful substances, promoting environmental safety, Sustainable Packaging Guidelines – supporting eco-friendly and responsible packaging solutions, EU Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 – approved for packaging applications within the European Union, Low-VOC, eco-friendly formulation – A sustainable alternative to solvent or UV-based inks, regulatory compliance with high-performance printing – delivering superior print quality with sustainability in mind.

In today’s regulatory landscape, these certifications ensure that brands using the ArrowJet meet the highest safety and sustainability standards, critical for industries like food, pharmaceuticals, baby care, and cosmetics.

WP?: Who are your key customers in India?
SP: Some of our notable customers include Neha Converters, Influx Packaging, catering to the FMCG, pharma, and high-end cosmetics sectors.