On demand packaging is emerging as a practical way to improve flexibility, compliance and control across production workflows. Trimatt Systems’ just-in-time printing solution sets the standard.
What makes a brand?
A logo can bring a brand to life. However, it is not enough to carry a business. It is only the cherry on top. Before the logo is the packaging – from the material to production and logistics – that makes or breaks the brand.
The food and beverage industry adds a layer of complexity to packaging. With stringent food safety measures and supply demands, manufacturers need to find internal ways to streamline processes while remaining compliant. However, the push for greater efficiency brings more hurdles caused by ancillary tasks and decreased productivity. To counteract this predicament, automated technologies are gaining traction.
Businesses are integrating printing and labelling systems directly into their production workflow.
While automation is often associated with production lines and filling equipment, a quieter transformation is taking place further downstream. Packaging – long treated as a fixed and static component of manufacturing – is now being reconsidered as a dynamic and responsive process.
However, just because a technology includes automation features, it does not guarantee efficiency. According to founder of Australian print and product automation technology supplier Trimatt Systems, Matt Johnson, flexibility has emerged as a defining advantage.
“A trend we are seeing is that businesses are looking to implement a system that allows them to produce their packaging materials just in time,” he said.
Seeing growing interest from food businesses seeking more control over when and how their packaging is produced, Johnson said companies are looking into Trimatt’s technologies.
“Manufacturing companies invest in our technology to install into their business to give them flexibility to print or label packaging material just in time on the day of filling,” he added.
Made for compliance
Increasingly, businesses are integrating printing and labelling systems directly into their production workflow, enabling packaging to be created on demand rather than held in storage. For manufacturers operating with multiple products, frequent formulation changes or short run stock keeping units (SKUs), the benefits can be immediate.
Packaging no longer needs to be ordered in large quantities for each product variation. Instead, brand elements, ingredient panels, nutritional information, barcodes, batch details and date coding can all be applied as required, reducing both inventory and waste.
“There’s a lot of unique information besides just the branding included in the packaging,” said Johnson. “Especially for food products, it needs to be compliant.”
This level of flexibility is proving attractive not only to small producers, but also to larger and multinational businesses. While a business may have the capacity to order in bulk, Johnson highlighted that manufacturers are motivated by control. Bringing packaging production in house allows businesses to respond faster to market demands, introduce new SKUs with less risk, and adjust information without relying on external suppliers.
Trimatt’s ColourStar AQ V, a digital print engine designed and manufactured in Australia, offers this flexibility.
ColourStar AQ V
Part of the advantage of the ColourStar AQ V is its usability.
“The system is user friendly and a hands-off automated system,” said Johnson. “The operators have minimal intervention with the machine, reducing downtime.”
Trimatt’s ColourStar AQ V, a digital print engine designed and manufactured in Australia, offers flexibility.
With software that can be flexibly integrated with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, it removes the need for data handling, creating a streamlined process. By allowing businesses to connect production data directly to their packaging output, there is no longer any need to manually re-enter data.
This integration ensures traceability from raw materials to finished goods.
A key feature of the ColourStar AQ V is its ability to print full process colour directly onto packaging, as opposed to traditional monochrome coding solutions. This allows brands to preserve visual identity while meeting functional requirements.
“The ink itself is extremely vibrant, lightfast, watertight, and freezer safe,” added Johnson.
According to him, the ink is well suited for food packaging due to its ability to print on a range of porous media types, ensuring packaging remains legible and compliant throughout the supply chain. With an integrated friction feeder, adjustable receiving tray, over 100mm height adjustable print head, and conveyor, it delivers a digital printing solution at a speed of 27 metres per minute.
Transitioning to a just-in-time production model is not without complexity. Johnson noted that while the print engine remains consistent, every business is different.
“It’s not just a one size fits all,” said Johnson. “What changes from business to business is the workflow, the dimensions of the materials and data handling requirements.”
As a result, he said Trimatt provides a consultative approach. The challenge is not simply installing equipment but ensuring it fits seamlessly into existing operations.
“We really try to understand what our customers’ needs are to guide them through that process and give them the best solution,” Johnson added.
From small to large manufacturers
When asked how companies are reacting to just-in-time production models in manufacturing, Johnson said many have adopted it in some areas.
“However, they may not have this model throughout the complete process of their business,” he said. “Most of the time, packaging is the last process they look at.”
Awareness of on demand packaging systems remains a barrier. Johnson said he continues to encounter businesses that are unaware of print packaging solutions because they assume packaging automation is limited to large scale operations. Additionally, packaging is often addressed late in the production planning process, making it a lower priority during manufacturing.
Johnson urges manufacturers to consider packaging from the outset, alongside production and logistics, rather than treating it as a downstream add on.
“There is a limitation of understanding within the market as to what’s available,” he said.
Trimatt Systems aims to elevate the food and beverage industry through collaborative partnerships and education. With multiple industry exhibitions planned, the company wants to demonstrate the technology in action and engage directly with manufacturers seeking to refine their operations.
“We want to reach the market to let them know what is available and start thinking about packaging from the get-go,” added Johnson.
On demand printing and labelling is no longer a niche solution, but a growing viable option for businesses of all sizes. By bringing packaging closer to the point of production, manufacturers can reduce waste, improve compliance and respond faster to change. For those willing to rethink traditional workflows, packaging on demand offers a practical pathway towards a more agile and resilient manufacturing model.
“We’ve got a busy year ahead of us,” said Johnson. “We will continue to support businesses with their inventory reduction and business streamlining processes.”