Marc Avila Catala
Barberan and Fujifilm have unveiled the next milestone in their strategic single-pass technology partnership, introducing a fully digital print solution to the Nautilus system, complete with an integrated digital varnish capability. The latest development was previewed during a successful open day held at Barberan in May 2026, marking another step forward in redefining the possibilities of high-speed inkjet production.
Single-pass productivity has long been embedded in Barberan's DNA, with the company leading the market in corrugated printing where quality and throughput go hand in hand. However, bringing single-pass technology into the graphics market presented two significant challenges: supporting shorter production runs across a much broader range of media, and overcoming the high-gloss finish traditionally associated with single-pass UV printing.
Conventional solutions rely on analogue primers and matt varnishes, adding complexity, longer make-ready times and increased consumable costs. More importantly, these approaches can limit the ability to print onto thinner and more flexible substrates such as paper. For Barberan and Fujifilm, two businesses driven by innovation, the answer needed to be entirely digital.
Working closely together, the chemistry specialists at Fujifilm Ink, based in Broadstairs, UK, developed a new suite of UV inks engineered to deliver exceptional print quality and broad substrate adhesion, reducing and in many cases eliminating the need for analogue primers. The result is a significant advancement in ink technology, extending media flexibility and enabling printing onto thinner papers than many existing single-pass platforms can currently achieve.
The next challenge centred on surface finish. While digital varnishes are well established within multi-pass applications, adapting this expertise for single-pass production required a new level of technical precision. Through close collaboration with customers and a clear understanding of market requirements, Fujifilm Ink successfully developed a fully integrated digital varnish solution for single-pass UV printing, which boasts a satin finish. The technology was demonstrated publicly at FESPA 2026 in Barcelona through a number of printed displays and subsequently showcased to prospective customers during a dedicated open house event at Barberan.
One market set to benefit significantly is out-of-home advertising, where increasing demand for localised and targeted campaigns is driving the need for flexible, high-productivity print solutions. Where a fully digital infrastructure is not available, traditional alternatives often rely on slower multi-pass systems or printing with an analogue process. The Nautilus single-pass platform changes this dynamic, delivering more than 1,400 high-quality 2050 x 1600 mm sheets per hour, with every sheet capable of carrying unique content. Combined with Barberan's innovative alignment conveyor technology, duplex printing can be achieved with registration accuracy of ±0.1 mm.
Oliver Mills, Single Pass Marketing Manager, Fujifilm Ink comments: "We are incredibly excited by the opportunities this latest development creates for the print industry. Fujifilm and Barberan share a common philosophy of pushing the boundaries of digital print through innovation. By introducing a fully integrated digital varnish capability for single-pass UV printing, we are unlocking new levels of productivity, media flexibility and creative freedom for our customers, paving the way for the next generation of high-speed digital production."
Eladio Lerga, CTO at Barberan, remarks that ‘the Nautilus stands alone in its technological advancements, unmatched by any other company worldwide. Its exceptional performance with an innovative ink set capable of achieving outstanding print quality across numerous substrates, and its high output of more than 4000m2/ hr allows it to rival, even offset printing in large formats. Lerga further emphasises that, during Fespa, Barberan and Fujifilm unmistakably demonstrated “what’s next” for the single-pass industry.
Together, Barberan and Fujifilm continue to challenge the conventions of analogue production and single-pass digital, bringing fully digital workflows and new application possibilities to markets demanding speed, quality and versatility without compromise.
To find out more about this collaboration, visit: