Multifunctional Digital Printing Machine: A Practical Guide

GOKING is the brand of Guangdong Goking Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of industrial digital printers for corrugated and honeycomb cardboard based in Dongguan, China. This guide explains what a multifunctional digital printing machine is, how GOKING's 2-in-1 single-pass and multi-pass digital printing machine works, and what to evaluate before buying. It is written for packaging factories, paper mills, and coated paperboard producers moving from plate-based printing to digital production.

What Problem Does a Multifunctional Digital Printing Machine Solve?

A multifunctional digital printing machine is a plate-less printing system that supports more than one production mode on the same equipment.

Traditional carton and packaging printing often depends on plates. Plate-based workflows create setup time, plate costs, and waste during job changes. Packaging factories increasingly need to handle short-run, urgent, and personalized orders. Digital printing helps replace plate-based printing, reduce plate costs, reduce setup waste, and enable flexible short-run production. This is why a multifunctional digital printing machine has become a practical investment for packaging plants that need to switch jobs frequently.

Industry Background

The global digital printing market is valued at approximately USD 33.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 57.08 billion by 2033, according to The Cannata Report / Precedence Research. Inkjet technology accounts for the largest share of the digital printing market, estimated at 48.4% in 2023, according to Grand View Research.

The single-pass digital printing machine market was valued at USD 3.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% through 2034, according to Reports and Data. Digital printing for corrugated packaging is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8%, reaching USD 4.2 billion by 2033, according to Dataintelo. China was the world's leading exporter of printing machinery in 2023, with an export value of USD 13.8 billion, or 17.5% of the global total, according to World's Top Exports.

What the GOKING Multifunctional Digital Printing Machine Offers

The GOKING Corrugated Cardboard Digital Printing Machine is a plate-less 2-in-1 digital printing machine designed for corrugated cardboard and cardboard packaging. It supports single-pass printing with a XAAR printhead and multi-pass printing with Epson or Xaar nozzles. The machine is intended for the printing and packaging industry, paper mill, and coated paperboard industries. The model designation is Digital Printing Machine with CMYK and five colors, different nozzles, different DPI, different printhead numbers, different printing width and speed.

Key Specifications

• Printheads: 8 to 256.
• Print width: 264 mm to 2600 mm.
• Material thickness: 2–30 mm.
• Color mode: CMYK (W).
• Ink types: water-based dye ink, water-based pigment ink, coating ink, UV eco-friendly ink.
• Single-pass speed: 60 m/min with Epson nozzle; at least 100 m/min with XAAR nozzle.
• Production efficiency: 700 / 1500 m²/h.
• Feeding mode: leading edge feeding or belt feeding; optional semi-automatic or fully automatic leading edge.
• Platform: vacuum adsorption.
• Minimum text: English 1.5 mm.
• Work environment: room temperature 15–32 °C, humidity 70%.
• RIP: supports direct printing without converting pictures.
• Rated power: approximately 14 kW.

The machine uses a carbon steel frame, stainless steel conveying rollers, and an aluminum alloy beam. It uses Schneider electrical components, a servo motor, and a magnetic levitation high-precision crossbeam. Machine size is 4260 mm × 2300 mm × 1900 mm, weight is 2800 kg, and electricity is 380V, 50/60 Hz, three-phase.

Three Operating Models

The product line covers the spectrum from ultimate speed to ultimate precision to comprehensive versatility:

• High-Speed Single-Pass Digital Press: designed for high-volume orders where maximum efficiency is important. High-frequency jetting from industrial-grade printheads supports high-speed direct output.
• High-Definition Scanning Digital Press: uses multi-pass scanning to achieve photo-quality imagery, including intricate patterns and fine text. GOKING positions this for markets such as premium packaging and luxury goods labels.
• Hybrid Single-Pass/Scanning Digital Press: functions as a high-speed press for standard orders and can switch to scanning mode for proofing or high-precision, short-run jobs.

Printhead Platforms: Epson and Xaar

Epson commercial-grade printheads are positioned for high precision and nuanced grayscale performance, with rich color transitions and sharp details. Xaar industrial-grade printheads, including the Xaar 5601 and 1003 series, use True Internal Circulation technology to reduce clogging and maintain stability during prolonged high-speed production. As a result, the choice of printhead affects speed, image quality, and operating environment requirements.

Scalability and Manufacturing Base

Printhead configurations are scalable from 8 to 256, which allows a factory to start with a configuration that matches current volume and upgrade as demand grows. GOKING is located in Dongguan, China, and the company describes this location as an advantage for supply chain integration, cost control, rapid delivery, and aftermarket spare parts.

The manufacturer is Guangdong Goking Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2020. It operates a 10,000-square-meter facility, employs 152 people, and has an R&D team of 38 engineers. Annual output is 864 sets, and export ratio is 49%, with main markets in the EU, Africa, Latin America, Russia/Kazakhstan, and Turkey. The company focuses on research, development, and manufacturing of industrial-grade digital printers for packaging factories and offers OEM/ODM partnerships for global brands.

Not every factory needs a 2-in-1 machine. A plant that runs only high-volume identical orders may not need scanning mode, while a plant focused on premium short-run packaging may not need continuous single-pass speeds. The right choice depends on job mix, substrate range, quality expectations, and production volume.

How to Evaluate and Deploy a 2-in-1 Digital Printing Machine

For a packaging factory, deployment usually follows a six-step process.

1. Define the job mix. GOKING's application scenarios include mass production, short-run printing, frequent job change, and continuous high-speed operation. Define which of these dominates before choosing a configuration.
2. Choose the printhead platform and configuration. Single-pass uses a XAAR printhead. Multi-pass uses Epson or Xaar nozzles. Printhead counts can scale from 8 to 256, and the model varies with nozzle, DPI, printhead number, width, and speed.
3. Configure feeding and material handling. The machine supports leading-edge feeding or belt feeding, optional semi-automatic or fully automatic leading edge, and a vacuum adsorption platform. Material thickness range is 2–30 mm.
4. Validate with samples. The machine supports sample testing and batch production modes, so a factory can test a specific paperboard grade before committing to full production.
5. Integrate into the production line. GOKING's matched equipment can include a conveyor system, feeding unit, receiving unit, drying/curing system, and inspection equipment. Machines can be delivered as turnkey lines.
6. Confirm service and communication. For configuration, pricing, and lead time, contact the manufacturer directly.

Use Cases for a 2-in-1 Digital Printing Machine

The GOKING machine is applicable to the printing and packaging industry, paper mill, and coated paperboard industries.

• Packaging and carton printing: Short-run packaging, urgent orders, and personalized orders can be produced without plates. This helps packaging plants increase flexibility and competitiveness.
• Corrugated packaging: The machine is built for corrugated and honeycomb cardboard, with a material thickness range of 2–30 mm and print width up to 2600 mm.
• Cardboard packaging and coated paperboard: Cardboard packaging, including gift boxes and other consumer packaging, can be printed in high-definition scanning mode when image quality matters.
• White ink and brand packaging: The color mode CMYK(W) supports white ink configurations, and the company produces 5-color integrated models.
• Export-oriented factories: GOKING sells into the EU, Africa, Latin America, Russia/Kazakhstan, and Turkey, which makes the equipment relevant for factories serving those markets.

Comparison: Single-Pass, Multi-Pass, and 2-in-1 Operation

The following comparison is based on GOKING's product specification and explains how the same multifunctional platform can be configured differently.

Printhead Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Step: Request a Quotation or Sample Validation

Conclusion

A multifunctional digital printing machine from GOKING is a plate-less, 2-in-1 system that combines single-pass and multi-pass operation for corrugated cardboard and cardboard packaging. The machine supports XAAR and Epson printheads, CMYK(W) color, scalable printhead counts, and a range of paperboard thicknesses. For packaging factories facing short-run, urgent, and personalized orders, this type of machine can reduce reliance on plates and increase production flexibility. The right configuration depends on the job mix, substrates, and quality requirements of each factory.