Fujifilm and Barberan preview ‘industry first’ digital varnish solution

Print machinery manufacturers, Barberan and Fujifilm, have unveiled the next milestone in their strategic technology partnership, introducing a fully digital print solution to the single-pass Nautilus system, complete with an integrated digital varnish capability.

The latest development, first previewed during a Barberan open day at the company’s headquarters in May, introduces an ‘industry-first’ fully digital UV printing solution that incorporates digital varnish directly into single-pass printing, eliminating the need for separate analogue varnishing processes.

The technical preview of the technology is intended to gather direct market feedback from high-volume print providers, particularly those in the out-of-home (OOH) advertising sector, from which Fujifilm and Barberan can finalise their commercial roadmap.

Bringing single-pass technology into the graphics market presented two significant challenges for the manufacturers – 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, which can add complexity, increase make-ready times, and impact consumable costs. These approaches can also limit the ability to print onto thinner and more flexible substrates such as paper.

To overcome these challenges, UK-based chemistry specialists at Kent-based Fujifilm Ink developed a new suite of UV inks engineered to deliver high-quality print and broad substrate adhesion, reducing or eliminating the need for analogue primers.

The result extends media flexibility, enabling printing onto thinner papers than many existing single-pass platforms can currently achieve.

Through close collaboration with customers, Fujifilm Ink also developed a fully integrated digital varnish solution for single-pass UV printing which offers 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.

Markets that the technology may benefit include OOH 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 aims to change this dynamic, reportedly delivering more than 1,400 high-quality 2050 x 1600mm sheets per hour, with every sheet capable of carrying unique content.

Combined with Barberan's alignment conveyor technology, duplex printing can be achieved with a calculated registration accuracy of ±0.1mm.

Oliver Mills, single pass marketing manager at Fujifilm Ink, says: "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."ugh 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."