Xaar’s ultra high viscosity technology is powering Koenig & Bauer Kammann’s latest digital decoration breakthrough, in a striking collaboration that produced 5,000 uniquely printed Johnnie Walker whiskey bottles for Diageo.
Kammann, part of Koenig & Bauer Group, specializes in high-quality decorative printing machines for glass, plastic and metal containers and has partnered with Xaar for over a decade, relying on its inkjet technology to drive innovation across its print systems.
In this latest collaboration, Kammann’s K15 decorative print machine was used to digitally print an image of 180 mm in height, directly onto all four sides of each glass bottle in just three passes, delivering the premium quality and production efficiency required for this exclusive project.
The limited-edition Johnnie Walker bottles showcase 50 original artworks by renowned pop artist Andy Gellenberg, which were further enhanced using generative AI to create a truly one-of-a-kind collection. With every bottle individually designed, the project highlights the power of digital print in enabling customization at scale and was recognized at the Digital Labels and Packaging awards, winning in the Supreme category earlier this year.
Central to the success of the project has been Xaar’s printhead technology, including its high laydown and ultra high viscosity technology, which enables the jetting of fluids with viscosities up to 1000 centipoise (cP) at ambient temperature (approximately 100 cP at jetting temperature).
These capabilities have allowed Marabu’s innovative high viscosity UV inks to be jetted reliably at high temperatures, ensuring smooth application, improved pigment load and a luxurious high-impact finish. The result is a striking, vibrant and tactile design that reflects the premium nature of the Johnnie Walker brand by Diageo.
“This collaboration has been seamless,” said Matthias Graf, managing director at Kammann.
“By combining our machine expertise with the strengths of both Xaar and Marabu in printhead and ink technology, we’ve enabled an exceptional example of what’s possible with digital print for premium container decoration.”
The growing demand for personalization is being fueled by consumers seeking unique, standout products. Digital inkjet printing is uniquely positioned to meet this need, with short setup times, cost-effective small batch runs and unmatched flexibility – making it the ideal solution for limited-edition and customized goods.
With this in mind, Xaar’s Ultra High Viscosity Technology also supported more sustainable production for this project by reducing material use and the amount of energy required for curing.
Justin Noble, director of Sales at Xaar added, “We’re delighted that our printhead technology played such a key role in bringing this impressive collection to life.
“This project shows the creative and commercial potential of digital print, and the result is a powerful demonstration of how brands can harness customization to elevate consumer experience.
“As expectations around personalization continue to rise, Xaar’s digital inkjet technology offers the quality, speed and versatility brands need to respond – delivering high value, high-impact products like these Johnnie Walker bottles.”
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Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
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