Engineered Printing Solutions Launched XD-AQ System

The new industrial printer enables direct-to-packaging digital graphics for cardboard and fiber-based containers.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Consumer Goods

Isometric editorial illustration of an industrial print head over a cardboard box, representing digital packaging technology. — Engineered Printing Solutions has released the XD-AQ system, an industrial inkjet printer designed to apply digital graphics directly onto formed corrugated containers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Is now a good time for your business to invest in new, high-speed printing technology?

Engineered Printing Solutions has launched the XD-AQ, a digital inkjet system capable of printing directly onto formed packaging. The machine eliminates the need for traditional printing plates or labels by applying graphics to pre-cut and folded materials.

Why it matters

This technology allows packaging producers to bypass conventional workflows that require printing materials before they are converted into finished containers. It provides manufacturers with increased flexibility for short production runs and versioned designs.

The XD-AQ system retails for $345,000 and operates at speeds reaching 164 feet per minute. It utilizes eight Xaar Aquinox printheads to generate CMYK graphics across a 5.4-inch print swath.

The players

Engineered Printing Solutions

This North American company specializes in the development and manufacture of high-speed digital industrial printing technologies.

Xaar

This industrial inkjet technology firm produces the high-performance printheads utilized in the new XD-AQ system.

The details

The machine uses high-viscosity, water-based inks that are PFAS-free and meet stringent international safety standards including Nestlé guidance and the Swiss Ordinance. It accommodates various packaging formats with 10 inches of vertical clearance, allowing for printing on already formed corrugated and cartonboard items.

Engineered Printing Solutions launched the XD-AQ system on October 9, 2026.

Market Landscape

The introduction of the XD-AQ signals a shift toward digital on-demand printing as the primary method for short-run packaging needs. This development positions firms to move away from legacy systems that rely on expensive plate-based production and long lead times.

This technology allows businesses to offer more personalized and versioned packaging to their customers without the high costs of traditional printing. Shoppers may eventually see a wider variety of custom-printed cardboard boxes and retail containers as manufacturers adopt more flexible production methods.

The takeaway

The transition to digital inkjet printing on formed packaging significantly reduces material waste by removing the need for pre-printed labels or primers. Manufacturers can leverage these systems to quickly adapt to shifting market demands for specialized and seasonal product designs.