In a world where first impressions matter, a wine’s label often speaks before its taste is savoured.
In South Africa’s wine industry, labels have become a canvas for innovation and creativity, thanks to
ROTOCON and SCREEN.
South Africa’s wine industry, renowned for its exquisite vintages, is now making headlines for a different kind of craft – cutting-edge label technology. In an increasingly competitive global market, wine labels are becoming as vital as the liquid inside the bottle. Leading this transformation are ROTOCON and SCREEN, a partnership driving innovation in digital inkjet printing to give wine labels a high-tech edge. Together, they’re creating a new era of precision, flexibility and creativity in label printing.
The global label printing industry is thriving, driven by growth in the food, beverage, and wine sectors, with the market projected to hit €57.45 billion (R1.11 trillion) by 2029 at a steady 4.09% annual growth rate. For wineries, where label design is as vital as the wine itself, standing out amid fierce competition is crucial. Demands for customisation, shorter runs, and sustainability have made advanced technology indispensable. Adding to this momentum, Vinimark’s late-2024 Market Review highlights a promising outlook for South Africa’s wine industry, with local producers embracing premium products and innovative packaging to overcome economic challenges. While FMCG growth was modest at 2.2%, the premium wine segment shows strong potential.
ROTOCON, SCREEN’s exclusive distributor in South Africa for over a decade, is a trusted name in the local label industry. Known for pairing SCREEN’s pioneering inkjet technology with their own RDF (ROTOCON Digital Finishing) range of machines, the company provides end-to-end solutions tailored to local needs.
“Our success lies in offering not just world-class printing presses but also unmatched service,” says Michael Aengenvoort, ROTOCON’s group CEO. “SCREEN’s technology ensures our clients remain at the forefront of innovation.”
From Cape Town’s boutique wineries to Johannesburg’s bustling converters, ROTOCON’s SCREEN installations have set new benchmarks for efficiency and quality. Their comprehensive support, covering installation, training and after-sales service, ensures seamless adoption of the latest technology.
Cutting-edge digital inkjet for wineries
At the heart of this innovation is SCREEN’s Truepress LABEL 350UV SAI series, a game-changer for wineries. This versatile press delivers stunning, high-definition, customised labels with rapid turnaround times, meeting the needs of both boutique producers and large-scale operations.
With an expanded colour gamut (CMYK, white, orange, and blue) and low migration inks, the press ensures vibrant, compliant prints that adhere to strict industry regulations. It also offers advanced features like digital primers for finishes such as embossing and matte effects, allowing wineries to add a luxurious, tactile dimension to their labels
Automation further simplifies operations. SCREEN’s EQUIOS workflow software streamlines tasks like colour matching and maintenance, reducing costs and enhancing productivity. Operators can master the system within a week, addressing the critical shortage of skilled labour in the industry.
“SCREEN’s Truepress LABEL 350UV SAI-S has revolutionised our workflow,” says Henk Crous, owner of Sign & Seal Labels, a specialist in wine labelling. “It’s faster, more efficient and produces incredible quality with minimal waste.”
The press’s variable data printing (VDP) capabilities enable wineries to create unique labels for every bottle – whether through personalised designs, QR codes or promotional elements – allowing brands to connect with consumers in innovative ways.
Digital dynamism
ROTOCON and SCREEN’s partnership offers wineries an integrated digital solution that combines impeccable print quality with outstanding finishing capabilities. SCREEN’s Truepress LABEL 350UV SAI-S delivers unparalleled colour accuracy and speed, while ROTOCON’s RDF finishing machines handle precision cutting, embellishments and sophisticated processes like hot foil stamping and embossing
“The synergy between SCREEN’s printing technology and our finishing solutions ensures wineries can achieve a flawless, professional result that elevates their brand,” Michael explains.
For ROTOCON and SCREEN, the partnership represents more than business success – it’s a commitment to empowering South Africa’s wine industry. By blending world-class technology with local expertise, the duo enables wineries to create labels that captivate consumers while meeting sustainability and regulatory demands.
“Labels are an extension of a winery’s story,” Michael says. “By embracing SCREEN’s cutting-edge inkjet technology, wineries can produce visually stunning, precise and durable labels that truly stand out on store shelves.”
With ROTOCON and SCREEN at the helm, South African wineries are poised to make their mark – not just with world-class wine but with labels that are every bit as extraordinary.
PDF of article»» as featured in WineLand Magazine
Subscribe to our mailing list here.
