International recognition for Direct-to-Shape digital printing innovation in the Food & Beverage industry

Eislingen, Germany, August 6, 2026 – The packaging industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Shorter product life cycles, increasing SKU proliferation and growing demand for personalised packaging are fundamentally changing manufacturing requirements. Brand owners and packaging manufacturers are looking for printing technologies that combine maximum flexibility, premium print quality and industrial productivity without compromising production efficiency.

With its digital printing machines, Hinterkopf is helping shape this transformation. The company's industrial Direct-to-Shape digital printing enables the direct digital decoration of cylindrical containers and is expanding the possibilities of industrial packaging decoration. It creates new opportunities for brand owners, fillers and packaging manufacturers: From economically viable short production runs and variable data printing to rapid design changes and significantly shorter time-to-market.

This technological achievement has now been recognised by the PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. Hinterkopf's DX Series has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Technology Excellence Award in the Food & Beverage category. PMMI is one of North America's leading packaging and processing associations and the organiser of PACK EXPO International in Chicago, one of the world's premier trade shows for packaging and processing technologies. Each year, the Technology Excellence Awards recognise innovations with the potential to advance manufacturing processes and deliver measurable value to the packaging industry. Being named a finalist is regarded as independent recognition of technological excellence, engineering expertise and practical innovation.

"We are honoured by this nomination. More importantly, it confirms the growing relevance and future potential of our DX digital printing technology for the packaging industry. Direct-to-Shape digital printing opens entirely new business opportunities for our customers and their customers – the world's leading brands. Companies investing in our digital printing solutions are investing in future growth," says Alexander Hinterkopf, CEO of Hinterkopf GmbH. “Our digital printing machines have been in widespread use across the United States for over five years. We have built a very strong network in the beverage can sector to fully serve the American market. Our machines operate 24/7, 365 days a year. Our goal is to enable other industries to benefit from this opportunity for market growth”, Hinterkopf continues.

For brand owners and packaging manufacturers, industrial Direct-to-Shape digital printing delivers one key advantage above all: flexibility. Whether producing limited editions, seasonal campaigns, personalised packaging or frequently changing designs, digital printing enables manufacturers to respond quickly to market demands while maintaining the productivity and print quality required for industrial-scale production and reducing inventory carrying costs.
     

As consumer expectations continue to evolve, packaging has become far more than a protective container. It is a powerful communication platform, a brand differentiator and an increasingly important marketing tool. Industrial Direct-to-Shape digital printing supports this transformation by combining flexibility, production efficiency and premium decoration quality within a single manufacturing process.

The nomination also reflects the growing importance of industrial digital printing across the food and beverage industry. While packaging production has traditionally focused on efficiency in high-volume manufacturing, today's market demands speed, product differentiation, shorter innovation cycles and greater consumer engagement. Direct-to-Shape digital printing combines these requirements with industrial production capability, enabling brand owners, packaging manufacturers and fillers to bring new ideas to market faster and more efficiently.

Hinterkopf will present the DX Series, nominated for the Technology Excellence Award, to an international audience of industry professionals at PACK EXPO International in Chicago. Visitors will see the results of Direct-to-Shape digital printing and learn how this technology meets the growing demands of the food and beverage industry for flexibility, productivity and print quality. The nomination further establishes Hinterkopf’s role as a thought leader and provides independent proof of the DX digital printing machine’s innovative capabilities.

In addition, Hinterkopf will host its PrintDays 2026 at its headquarters in Eislingen, Germany from 12–16 October. Throughout the event, visitors will experience the DX Series in live production alongside Hinterkopf's complete portfolio of decorating Direct-to-Shape technologies. This will provide a comprehensive insight into the future of industrial cylindrical packaging decoration.

About Hinterkopf

For more than 60 years, Hinterkopf has been developing and manufacturing machines and complete production lines for the decoration of cylindrical containers. All engineered and manufactured in Germany. With a strong focus on industrial Direct-to-Shape digital printing, the company enables brand owners, fillers and packaging manufacturers worldwide to make their production processes more flexible, efficient and future-ready. As a long-term technology partner, Hinterkopf transforms innovative packaging concepts into reliable industrial production solutions.

      

Voting - PMMI Technology Excellence Award

“Voting will begin before show starts on October 12 and will continue on-site through 12 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 20. In-person attendees are encouraged to visit the finalist's booths and vote via the official show mobile app or online“, as mentioned on PMMI website

 

 

DX-Digital Printing Machine Direct-to-Shape

 

The DX Series from Hinterkopf is a digital direct-to-container printing system for cylindrical packaging made of aluminum, steel, or plastic. The system is designed for industrial decoration of cylindrical containers in varying formats and sizes.

The machine enables 360-degree digital printing directly onto cylindrical bodies such as tubes, cans, aerosol cans, bottles, three-piece cans, and cartridges. Printing is based on industrial UV inkjet technology and is carried out directly from digital data without the use of printing plates.

 

Variety in formats and sizes 

 

The system processes standard cylindrical packaging formats used in the food & beverage, personal care, cosmetics, and industrial packaging sectors. It integrates into existing production lines or works as a stand-alone printer and can be used for different container materials, including metal, plastic and steel substrates.

The Direct-to-Shape digital printing machine enables 360-degree digital printing at up to 1,500 dpi on cylindrical containers made of aluminum, steel, and plastic. It covers diameters from 9 to 165 mm and container lengths from 60 to 240 mm.