EyeC is a Hamburg-based company specializing in automated quality control for the printing industry. Their advanced print inspection systems ensure 100% confidence regarding the print quality of customer’s items, such as labels, folding boxes, package inserts, or flexible packaging. By identifying printing errors as early as possible in the production process – such as color deviations, text errors, and graphic errors – the EyeC systems play a vital role in reducing waste and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. A factor that is particularly important in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food. All EyeC inspection systems are versatile and suitable for prepress and production stages – maintaining product quality from the start to the end of the production process.
Interview with Dr. André Schwarz, Director Marketing & Documentation at EyeC GmbH.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
André Schwarz: The main area of our activities is developing automated quality control systems designed for the printing industry based on advanced and innovative technology. Our mission is to empower businesses with the confidence and tools they need to deliver exceptional printed products while reducing costs and optimizing their manufacturing processes. Therefore, our versatile inspection systems provide quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and high-quality customer support and training to achieve the highest standards in print quality.
What’s the news about new products/services?
A.S: All EyeC inspection systems are equipped with improved functions and innovative technology to make automated quality control in the printing industry even more efficient. We recently introduced new options for the EyeC ProofRunner series that demonstrate the impressive capabilities of AI-based defect classification. This new feature will provide even more accurate defect classification based on image content, allowing only relevant defects to be shown to the operator. Also, our regular software updates include technical improvements that optimize speed and ease of handling or maintenance, enhancing defect detection accuracy and production efficiency. We’ve also expanded our remote services for installation and training, ensuring that we can provide better and more flexible support to our customers worldwide.
What are the ranges of products/services?
A.S: EyeC offers a wide range of inspection systems for the printing and packaging industry aimed to ensure the quality of printed products such as labels, packaging and package inserts. A key product in its portfolio is the EyeC Proofiler series, an offline inspection system for checking printed samples. This series includes the EyeC Proofiler DT line, which has been specially developed for A4 to A0 formats and samples. It enables fast and precise inspection of printed samples and is particularly suitable for smaller print shops or for quality control in laboratories.
The range is complemented by the EyeC ProofRunner series, an inline inspection system that is integrated directly into the printing or processing machine and continuously monitors the printing process to detect errors in real time and enable immediate corrections. For pre-press verification of digital graphics, EyeC offers the EyeC Proofiler Graphic, which ensures that digital files meet print requirements.
In addition, EyeC offers the EyeC Workflow Integration, which allows the inspection systems to be seamlessly integrated into existing production and quality assurance processes. These solutions help companies to meet the high-quality standards of the printing and packaging industry and increase the efficiency of their production processes.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
A.S: We operate in a highly competitive market that is characterized by technological innovations and high-quality assurance requirements. In the printing and packaging industry, there is growing pressure on companies to make their processes more efficient and environmentally friendly. The increasing demand for inspection systems that detect defects at an early stage and minimize waste requires suppliers such as EyeC to continuously invest in research and development to keep pace with technological advances and changing market requirements.
Another key factor is the increasing importance of sustainability in the industry. Companies are increasingly striving to improve their environmental footprint by reducing waste, optimizing material consumption and using energy-efficient technologies. EyeC is responding to this trend by offering inspection systems that help to minimize waste and increase efficiency in production. By precisely monitoring the printing process, EyeC helps companies not only to save costs but also to achieve their environmental goals. In this environment, EyeC is successfully positioning itself by providing solutions that meet the high-quality requirements of the industry and at the same time meet the growing need for more sustainable production.
What can you tell us about market trends?
A.S: At EyeC, we operate in a market that is characterized by significant trends. Automation and digital transformation are driving demand for advanced inspection systems that increase efficiency and minimize errors. Sustainability is also gaining in importance as companies increasingly strive for environmentally friendly processes and resource conservation. EyeC is responding to this trend with systems that reduce waste and make production more environmentally friendly. In addition, the demand for personalization is growing, which EyeC meets with flexible, tailor-made inspection solutions.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
A.S: EyeC offers a range of innovative products and services that optimize inspection and quality assurance in the printing and packaging industry. Leading products include the EyeC Proofiler, our offline inspection system that checks print samples for defects and ensures that the final product meets specifications. This range is complemented by the EyeC Proofiler DT line, which is designed for all print formats and samples and enables precise checks of packaging for printers, the pharma or food industry.
For real-time monitoring during the printing process, EyeC offers the EyeC ProofRunner, an inline inspection system that is integrated directly into the press. It detects errors immediately and enables immediate correction, helping to reduce waste and rework. The EyeC Proofiler Graphic is used to check digital graphics for errors before printing and ensures that files meet print requirements.
The range is rounded off by EyeC Workflow Integration, which enables the inspection systems to be seamlessly integrated into existing production and quality assurance processes. These advanced solutions help to ensure print quality and improve the efficiency of production processes.
What estimations do you have for 2024?
A.S: We saw 2024 as a year of recovery and growth mostly fueled by economic stabilization. We anticipate a continued upward trend in the market for print inspection systems, driven by an increasing demand for automated, precise, and comprehensive quality controls, as well as heightened sustainability goals. Like every industry, the printing industry is experiencing a significant shift towards the integration of AI and machine learning. That’s why we have dedicated our time throughout the year to improving our solutions and developing new technologies to meet even better the evolving market requirements. However, our attention is also slowly turning toward 2025 and the potential growth and innovation opportunities that lie ahead.
