Digital printing is hardly new to the label industry. It has played a role in label production for decades. For many converters, it is now a familiar part of the pressroom. However, the industry has never moved toward digital at the same pace.
Some converters adopted digital early. They built their businesses around short runs, versioning, variable data, and fast job turnaround. Others still rely heavily on flexo and other conventional processes. These methods often make better production sense for long, repeatable runs.
Hybrid systems have added another option. At the same time, automation has made modern flexo presses more flexible. As a result, the line between “digital” and “conventional” production is less clear than it once was.
That mix is still visible across the label industry today. Flexo remains well suited to many long, repeatable jobs. Digital has found a strong role in shorter runs, SKU variation, variable data, and jobs with frequent setup changes.
In practice, one process does not simply replace the other. The better approach is to choose the right process for each job.
The same applies to finishing.
A digital press can eliminate plates and reduce print changeover time. However, some of that flexibility disappears when every new cutting shape requires another die and setup. This makes digital finishing particularly relevant for converters that handle many short or frequently changing jobs.
ANY-CUT III is ANYTRON’s roll-to-roll laser cutting system for higher-volume production and continuous finishing workflows.
Digital laser cutting without physical dies
Job setup is one of the most practical differences between laser cutting and conventional die cutting.
Conventional die cutting remains an efficient and economical option for many long, repeat jobs. Once the tooling is ready, it can produce the same shape efficiently in high volumes.
The situation changes with shorter runs, frequent design changes, or a large number of SKUs. A new cutting shape may require another die. Operators also need time to prepare, install, and replace the tooling.
ANY-CUT III uses digital cutting data rather than a physical die. Operators can move to a new cutting shape by loading a different cutting file. They do not need to change physical tooling.
For converters that already use digital printing, this creates a more consistent workflow from printing to finishing. The goal is not simply to replace conventional die cutting. Instead, laser cutting removes a physical setup step from jobs that require frequent changeovers.
Designed for continuous roll-to-roll production
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Maximum Cutting Width
300 mm
Maximum Web Speed
45 m/min
Cutting Length
Continuous
ANY-CUT III offers a maximum cutting width of 300 mm. It also supports continuous cutting in the web direction. The maximum web speed is 45 m/min.
However, the maximum web speed is a machine specification. It does not represent the production speed of every job.
Several factors influence actual cutting speed. These include the cutting path, material construction, thickness, adhesive, liner, and required finish quality.
For example, a simple label with a short cutting path can run differently from artwork with many small shapes or detailed contours.
When evaluating a laser system, do not look only at its maximum speed. A more useful question is: “What speed can we consistently achieve with the work we actually produce?”
When the material itself becomes part of the cutting challenge
Labels and stickers are only part of the application range for ANY-CUT III.
The system can also handle materials such as VHB tape, masking tape, HTV materials, and other specialty roll media.
VHB Tape
Job changeover is not the only reason to consider laser cutting. The physical characteristics of a material can also influence the finishing method.
We have seen customers introduce ANY-CUT systems specifically for VHB tape and other highly adhesive materials.
With knife cutting, pressure-sensitive adhesives can build up around the blade. The degree of build-up depends on the material and cutting conditions.
Over a longer run, this may affect cutting consistency. It can also increase cleaning and blade maintenance. Laser cutting avoids physical contact between a blade and the adhesive, making it a practical option for converters that regularly process highly adhesive materials.
HTV & Specialty Heat-Transfer Materials
Heat-transfer materials also require a closer look at their construction. The category name alone does not tell the full story.
Most standard HTV uses polyurethane. Therefore, it would not be accurate to say that HTV in general contains fiberglass. However, some specialty and reflective heat-transfer materials have more complex structures. For example, some use glass beads to create retroreflective properties.
Knife cutters can process many of these materials successfully. However, abrasive constructions can increase blade wear during continuous or higher-volume production. Tool replacement and cutting consistency then become part of the production calculation.
For converters working with labels, VHB tape, masking tape, HTV, reflective materials, and other specialty substrates, laser cutting offers another finishing option.
Material testing remains essential. Adhesive formulation, liner, coating, thickness, and surface construction can all affect the result.
The main question is not simply whether the system can cut a material. Converters should also consider quality, production speed, consistency, and maintenance requirements.
Managing multiple jobs on the same roll
Digital printing allows converters to run several SKUs consecutively without changing plates.
This creates a different challenge at the finishing stage. The cutting system needs to recognize where one design ends and the next begins.
AJC Module
ANY-CUT III reads a QR code and loads the corresponding cutting data automatically. This allows the finishing process to follow several jobs printed consecutively on the same roll.
Operators do not need to select a new cutting file manually at every changeover. This feature becomes more valuable as the number of SKUs per roll increases. It also reduces manual intervention between jobs.
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Looking at the complete web path
The laser is only one part of a roll-to-roll finishing system.
The material first needs to unwind consistently. It then travels through the cutting section. After cutting, the system removes the waste matrix and rewinds the finished material into a usable roll.
Unwinder: Maximum roll diameter
700 mm
700 mm
Laminating Module: Maximum roll diameter
350 mm
350 mm
Finishing: Waste matrix removal
Output: Roll-to-roll rewinding
These parts of the machine often receive less attention than cutting specifications. However, they play an important role in daily production.
Longer runs require stable web movement and consistent tension. Reliable matrix removal and rewinding also affect the condition of the finished roll.
For this reason, converters should evaluate the complete web path rather than focusing only on the laser unit.
Where ANY-CUT III fits
Conventional and digital finishing each have a place in label production. No single process works best for every job.
For example, conventional die cutting may make more sense for a fixed design produced in very high volumes. Digital laser finishing becomes more attractive when production includes frequent changes, multiple SKUs, or a wider range of materials.
Within the ANY-CUT range, ANY-CUT III targets higher-volume, continuous roll-to-roll production. It combines digital flexibility with the throughput required for more demanding production workflows.
The system is particularly relevant for converters that handle frequent job changes or multiple designs on one roll. It also supports specialty adhesive materials and other applications where physical cutting tools can become a production concern.
See ANY-CUT III in operation
The video below shows ANY-CUT III in operation. See its roll-to-roll workflow, laser cutting process, automatic job changeover, and finishing functions.
