PROCESS RELIABILITY FOR CAR WRAPPING

Marabu is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of screen, digital and pad-printing inks and liquid coatings. With headquarters near Stuttgart, Germany, Marabu’s track record of innovation dates back to 1859. It includes many industry-first solutions for both industrial applications and graphic design. Marabu offers high-quality products and customised services in more than 90 countries. Its sustainable business practices are key to the company’s vision.

Car wrapping requires maximum precision and creativity. The German advertising technology company, Werbepioniere GmbH, relies on state-of-the-art technology and high-quality materials to achieve perfect, long-lasting results. Digital-printing inks from Marabu ensure the necessary process reliability.

Car wrapping is an art in and of itself. There are even world competitions that showcase its speed, precision, creativity and skill. For example, World Wrap Masters, taking place at this year’s FESPA 2025 (6–9 May, Messe Berlin, Germany). 

These attributes are also important to the Southern German Kaupp Group. The group is a pioneer in advertising technology and vehicle wrapping. One of its three business divisions – the Werbepioniere – is a leading provider. This division labels vehicle fleets throughout Germany.

The advertising pioneers ensure that every lettering and wrapping is implemented at short notice and put on the road. They also make certain that the fit is perfect and endures over time, even under demanding conditions. Behind this is a great deal of planning, work and a customer software which is programmed especially for co-ordination – the Fleet Customer Portal. The Werbepioniere also ensures a reliable production process of materials.

Fleet wraps and full wraps are extremely complex and require not only the highest levels of precision and speed, but also high-quality materials. Michael Liebermann, Business Unit Manager at the Werbepioniere comments, ”Several digital-printing machines for vehicle lettering run simultaneously in our production facility.” He continues, “In order to deliver high-quality results to our customers quickly, we need process reliability.” 

When it comes to materials, the film, ink and laminate must be co-ordinated to produce durable prints with high colour brilliance. Giulio Sannino, Head of Production & Graphics at the Werbepioniere, explains, ”We use films with high adhesion and stretchability. The ink must have the same stretch characteristics and maintain its exact edge definition.” He adds, “For vehicle graphics, we need this performance at certain points. Full wrap is the ultimate challenge. We have the material and the expertise for this.” Sannio continues, ”When it comes to printing inks, we need to be able to rely on a partner who can provide us with the optimal ink system, is reliable and offers a professional service.” The Werbepioniere uses digital-printing inks from Marabu, specifically the solvent-based Mara® Jet DI-MS.

“Car wrapping requires maximum precision and creativity”

The Mara Jet DI-MS digital ink has been specially developed for the Mimaki printers, used by the Werbepioniere. It is therefore fully compatible and can be seamlessly integrated into existing production. Changing from the manufacturer’s ink to Marabu ink – using the Plug and Print process – is therefore possible without any loss of quality and without the need for a technician on site. Marabu digital-printing inks are produced in Germany and are subject to the same strict tolerances as the original manufacturer’s inks. The guaranteed ink systems deliver consistently high quality and improved performance, while reducing production costs. The inks offer an ideal solution in a market with increasing demands. They are also an important factor in cost competition.

Mara Jet DI-MS perfectly meets the practical requirements of car wrapping. It is highly flexible in terms of elongation, robust against mechanical abrasion, weather and UV resistant, and resistant to chemical abrasion. In addition, Mara Jet DI-MS has low maintenance requirements for the digital printers used and minimal machine downtime. 

Liebermann confirms, ”Thanks to Marabu’s digital-printing inks, we have been able to optimise our production times and achieve outstanding colour intensity and weather resistance for our customers – even under extreme conditions.” He concludes, ”The decision for a cost-effective, high-performance alternative to manufacturer’s inks pays off for us in every way.”

“The Werbepioniere uses digital-printing inks from Marabu”

Marabu’s Plug and Print digital-printing inks meet the globally recognised standards for the labelling of low-emission products. This means that they are Greenguard Gold certified. Greenguard certification is an important indicator of the safety of inks and other products used in indoor environments. This means that the digital inks meet the strict requirements for chemical emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into air in enclosed areas. 

VOCs can be produced when solvents evaporate or in the drying of products, such as paints, varnishes, adhesives and furniture. By switching to Marabu original-printing inks, users can be sure that they are working with a Greenguard Gold certified system. The certification underlines the high standards of quality, safety and sustainability that Marabu’s made-in-Germany printing inks represent. Marabu is also the only ink manufacturer to have certified not just individual products, but a complete portfolio. 

Marabu’s wide range of solvent, UV- and LED-curing inks is compatible with a variety of printheads and printers. The Plug and Print inks are suitable for printing on flexible, rigid and textile substrates, and in formats ranging from wide to super wide. These include wall coverings for shops and retail areas, safety markings and floor signs, and storey-high advertising banners. In addition to quality, ease-of-use and safety through certified and guaranteed ink systems, Marabu offers a worldwide, reliable and long-standing dealer network. At FESPA 2025, the ink manufacturer will be presenting the diversity of its digital-printing inks live on site (Hall 3.2/B48). 

Mara Jet DI-MS is a registered Trademark of Marabu