Hinterkopf's digital printing machines offer an economical and highly flexible alternative to traditional offset printing for manufacturers of three-piece steel or tin cans. This technology enables efficient, fast and high-quality decoration directly on the finished can for small and medium batch sizes. This saves time and reduces costs, making producers far less dependent on lead times and inventory.

Three-piece tin cans are primarily used in technical and chemical applications. Whether for lubricants, cleaning agents, paints, oils, or speciality chemicals, billions of these cans are produced worldwide each year. Offset printing has traditionally dominated this segment as many products are manufactured in high volumes.

However, markets are changing.

Smaller Batches, Rising Demands

"Even for three-piece tin cans, we are seeing an increasing number of smaller and more varied batches, for example for product launches, speciality applications or technical limited editions," says Alexander Hinterkopf, CEO of the eponymous engineering company. This is precisely the area in which digital printing excels. Over the past ten years, Hinterkopf has become a global leader in digital printing solutions for cylindrical hollow bodies, and continues to drive development forward.

Economic advantages for small series

While offset printing requires printing plates, setup times and external service providers, these steps are completely eliminated in digital printing. The machines print directly on finished tin cylinders, eliminating detours and waste.

“The cost per piece remains constant, regardless of the batch size. This makes small series economically feasible and much faster to calculate,' explains Hinterkopf. For manufacturers, this means production can start immediately, design changes can be made at the push of a button, and reorders can be handled with maximum flexibility.

On-demand instead of stockpiling

Another advantage of this technology is that manufacturers can store unprinted cylinders and decorate them immediately as needed. “If a customer needs additional quantities, I start printing right away — no waiting, no material risk,” says Hinterkopf. Orders received in the morning can ideally be shipped the same day.

By comparison, labels or sleeves used to be produced in advance and processed externally. Often, weeks would pass between ordering and delivery, and there would be storage and handling costs. With digital direct decoration, all of this effort is eliminated.

New DX Generation Sets Standards

With the new DX machine, presented at the K-Messe, Hinterkopf is raising the performance level in digital printing.

The machine offers:

• Highest print quality on metal surfaces “Made by Hinterkopf”
• Faster format and design changes
• Increased process stability
• Significantly reduced setup times
• Optimised cost-effectiveness for variable series

"Demand for flexible printing solutions is rising in all markets, including three-piece cans. With our D- and DX-series digital printing machines, manufacturers can serve this market sustainably,” emphasises Hinterkopf.

The future is digital printing.

Until now, Hinterkopf’s digital printing technology has focused on cosmetic and beverage packaging, but it is now opening up increasingly to the three-piece tin can market. Discussions with tin can manufacturers are underway and pilot installations are being prepared.

‘The diameter range of three-piece cans is compatible with our systems. Formats such as 400, 600 or 750 millilitres can be integrated without any problems,’ explains the CEO. This enables digital printing to expand from premium and special editions into industrial applications, gradually establishing itself as standard technology for flexible series production.

Start your journey into digital decoration for three-piece tin cans now!

• Produce small series economically
• Represent variants more flexibly
• Reduce storage costs and deliver faster
• Transition your production to digital processes

…let’s discuss your application. We will guide you on the path to on-demand production.

Contact:
Tobias Böhringer, Sales Director
T +49 (0) 7161 / 85 01-380
tobias.boehringer@hinterkopf.de