Multifunctional digital printing machines have become the operational backbone for packaging factories that must balance short-run orders with high-throughput production. According to data cited by The Cannata Report / Precedence Research, the global digital printing market was valued at approximately USD 33.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 57.08 billion by 2033. Grand View Research further estimated that inkjet technology held the largest share of that market, at roughly 48.4% in 2023. Within this landscape, Guangdong GOKING Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. has developed a single-pass and multi-pass 2-in-1 digital printing machine that integrates both production modes into one platform for packaging applications. This article examines how that 2-in-1 architecture supports OEM/ODM and production-oriented purchasing decisions.

Industry Context: Speed and Flexibility as Parallel Requirements

Printing and packaging factories face a recurring dilemma when selecting digital printing equipment. Single-pass digital printers, which output the entire sheet in one pass, are generally associated with high-speed continuous production. Multi-pass scanning printers, which move the printhead across the substrate over multiple passes, support greater flexibility across board sizes, thicknesses, and quality requirements. In a conventional setup, a factory chooses one mode or the other and then tailors its order intake around that machine's limitations.

Short-run orders, urgent reprints, and variable packaging designs have made this either-or approach increasingly impractical. When a factory installs only a single-pass machine, it may struggle with complex or large-format boards that require scanning precision. When it installs only a multi-pass scanner, it may sacrifice throughput for small-format jobs that could be printed directly. The opportunity lies in a 2-in-1 architecture that lets the same machine switch between direct-output and scanning modes according to the job at hand.

GOKING: Single-Pass and Multi-Pass 2-in-1 Digital Printing Machine

Guangdong GOKING Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (GOKING) is an industrial digital printing machine manufacturer based in Dongguan, China. Founded in 2020, the company operates a 10,000-square-meter modernized manufacturing facility with 152 employees, including 38 R&D engineers. GOKING's annual output capacity is 864 sets, with approximately 49% of production exported to the EU, Africa, Latin America, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey.

GOKING's main product line is the single-pass and multi-pass 2-in-1 digital printing machine, including 5-color integrated models with multiple DPI configurations and different nozzle options. The certified product range covers the Corrugated Cardboard Digital Printing Machine, identified by the model "Digital Printing Machine——CMYK and Five Colors, Different Nozzles, Different DPI, Different Printhead Numbers, Different Printing Width and Speed." Within this range, the manufacturer offers multi-pass digital printers with Epson or Xaar nozzles, single-pass digital printers with Epson or Xaar nozzles, and 2-in-1 multifunctional digital printing machines with different DPI configurations.

According to GOKING's production capability statement, the machine's application logic is straightforward: for complex or large-format boards, users apply the scanning method; for small boards and small-batch orders, users apply the direct-output mode. One all-in-one machine handles both scenarios, which reduces the need for duplicate equipment and simplifies operator training.

How the 2-in-1 Architecture Works in Production

The 2-in-1 digital printing machine supports two feeding methods: leading edge feeding and belt feeding, with either semi-automatic or fully automatic leading edge options. The platform uses vacuum adsorption to hold substrates in place, and the crossbeam is a magnetic levitation high-precision unit designed for stable movement during both fast direct output and multi-pass scanning.

Color configuration follows a CMYK(W) mode, which includes the standard CMYK set plus optional white ink. This configuration is relevant for packaging applications that require an opaque underbase on colored or kraft substrates. Ink options include water-based dye ink, water-based pigment ink, coating ink, and UV eco-friendly ink, allowing the printer to adapt to different material classes and job requirements.

The drying system is integrated so that printed cartons can be dried after printing, while other materials follow their own drying characteristics. The machine's RIP supports direct printing without converting pictures, and the system supports PDF, JPG, BMP, and TIF graphic formats. Minimum text height for English and digital characters is 1.5mm.

A notable automation feature in GOKING's production environment is the system's automatic color calibration and automatic job switching capability, which helps reduce manual intervention during job-to-job transitions. Startup does not require a specialized operator, and the operation is described as simple to learn and easy to run.

Technical Configuration at a Glance

Work environment requirements are specified as room temperature 15–32°C with humidity around 70%. The machine operates on 380V, 50/60Hz three-phase electricity, with Schneider electrical components and servo motor drive systems.

OEM and ODM Production Capabilities

GOKING offers whole-machine R&D and manufacturing services, as well as OEM and ODM production services for digital printing machines. These services are relevant to packaging brands, equipment distributors, and production lines that require specification control or private-label configuration.

Customization options cover machine structure, printhead type (Epson or Xaar), DPI configuration, color scheme (5-color), and turnkey line solutions. The ability to choose between commercial-grade Epson printheads and industrial-grade Xaar printheads is a decisive factor for buyers with different production environments: Xaar printheads are described as durable and long-lasting, with low requirements for the operating environment.

The manufacturer's monthly production capacity is 38 sets, and the standard production lead time for standard machines is typically one month. Custom lead times are available upon request, and OEM/ODM lead times are subject to confirmation. The minimum order quantity is 1 set, which lowers the entry barrier for factories testing digital packaging capabilities.

In addition to machine customization, GOKING provides free sample printing for global clients. The company states that it offers comprehensive printing solutions ranging from kraft paper to coated paper, and from single-sheet printing to mass production. This breadth of substrate support makes the 2-in-1 machine relevant for packaging factories handling both industrial corrugated boxes and finer printed folding cartons.

Quality Control, Delivery, and After-sales Support

GOKING applies a multi-stage quality control process that includes 100% aging tests, long-time running inspection, and pre-shipment inspection. For acceptance, buyers can arrange sample testing, factory inspection, and pre-shipment inspection; on-site acceptance is performed according to the contract terms.

Delivery includes global shipping with secure packaging. Machines can be shipped as whole-machine delivery or as turnkey line delivery. GOKING packs the equipment with four complimentary cartons of ink and various wear parts, which supports an immediate start when the machine arrives at the buyer's facility.

After-sales service is structured around technical support, spare parts support, and response within 24 hours. Once overseas customers receive the digital printing machine, dedicated engineers travel to the site to assist with installation, commissioning, and operator guidance. Payment terms require a 30% deposit before production and the remaining 70% before shipment.

Use Cases: From Corrugated Packaging to Print-on-Demand

The 2-in-1 digital printing machine is positioned for the printing and packaging industry, paper mills, and coated paperboard processing. Its material range includes corrugated cardboard, honeycomb cardboard, kraft paper, and coated paper, which covers the most common packaging substrate categories in the market.

According to GOKING's installation case records, overseas printing and packaging factories use the equipment for short-run packaging printing. This application pattern aligns with the "small-batch, quick-turnaround" business model, which is widely used by advertising agencies and in-house printing departments in sectors such as finance and education. The same model is also closely integrated with cross-border e-commerce and Print-on-Demand (POD) workflows, where fragmented orders from global markets are fulfilled individually.

For a gift box producer, for example, the CMYK(W) configuration with white ink enables printing on colored or kraft board without requiring a separate white film overlay. For a corrugated packaging supplier, the single-pass mode supports faster output on standard-size sheets, while the multi-pass mode provides the precision needed for complex, large-format boards. For a factory servicing e-commerce sellers, the plate-less workflow allows rapid switching between different artwork and SKUs within the same production shift.

Market Outlook for Digital Packaging Printers

Market data supports the growing role of single-pass and multi-pass digital printing in packaging production. According to Reports and Data, 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. This expansion reflects the shift from analog to digital workflows in high-volume packaging segments.

Digital print finishing for corrugated packaging is another high-growth segment. Dataintelo projects the global market to grow at a CAGR of 7.8%, reaching USD 4.2 billion by 2033. The corrugated segment is central to the 2-in-1 machine's design, given its stated applicability to various grades of corrugated and honeycomb cardboard.

On the supply side, China was the world's leading exporter of printing machinery in 2023, with an export value of USD 13.8 billion representing 17.5% of the global total, according to World's Top Exports. GOKING's export ratio of approximately 49% positions it within this broader trend of China-origin digital printing equipment serving international packaging markets.

Comparison with Conventional Printing Workflows

Traditional packaging printing often relies on plate-based processes, where setup time and plate cost create economic pressure to run longer batches. A digital printing machine with plate-less operation removes the prepress plate step and supports direct printing from digital files. The RIP system on the GOKING machine supports direct printing without converting pictures, and the supported formats include PDF, JPG, BMP, and TIF.

For short-run orders, the plate-less approach means a factory can economically produce quantities that would be too small for conventional plate-based production. The 2-in-1 machine reinforces this advantage by allowing the operator to choose the optimal mode per job: scanning for complex or large-format boards, and direct output for small boards and small-batch orders.

One honest limitation should be stated: while the 2-in-1 machine provides significant flexibility across job types, a dedicated single-pass line configured for a narrow, standardized product range may still outperform it in sustained high-volume production of identical boards. The 2-in-1 machine is best understood as a versatile platform for factories that handle mixed orders, short lead times, and varied substrates, rather than as a replacement for highly specialized mass-production lines.

Future Outlook

GOKING's stated mission is to make digital printing affordable, accessible, and profitable for packaging factories worldwide. The 2-in-1 architecture supports this direction by consolidating two production modes into a single capital investment. As packaging buyers continue to demand shorter runs, faster proofs, and more customized packaging, the ability to switch between direct-output and scanning modes within one machine is likely to remain a practical procurement consideration.

For procurement teams at the evaluation-to-execution stage, the decision criteria are increasingly clear: substrate range, printhead choice, color configuration, production speed, and after-sales support. The GOKING 2-in-1 digital printing machine addresses these criteria through configurable printheads, CMYK(W) color capability, 8-to-256 printhead ranges, and the operational flexibility of single-pass and multi-pass modes in one system.

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