Coating Meets Innovation: How Harris & Bruno Is Redefining Digital Embellishment
- Harris & Bruno
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Original Tactile: Coating’s Role in Print Enhancement
Before foils or raised varnishes, there was coating. It was one of the first ways to add a tactile element to print. Whether used for protection or feel, coating plays a critical role in how print engages the senses beyond ink and color. As Paul Furse, Director of Global Marketing and Business Development at Harris & Bruno, shared in a recent interview, “Coating is one of the original haptics.”
With over 75 years of experience in fluid control and print finishing, Harris & Bruno has long been a trusted leader in coating technology for offset and digital platforms. Now, that same engineering precision is shaping a new generation of embellishment tools built for today's print needs.
From Mechanical Expertise to Digital Innovation
In a conversation with Kevin Abergel of Taktiful for WhatTheyThink, Paul explained why Harris & Bruno’s move into digital embellishment is a natural extension of their coating expertise. The tactile experience that coating has always delivered is now being enhanced by the flexibility and precision of digital technology.
Harris & Bruno is evolving beyond traditional mechanical equipment and into the space of advanced print technology. This includes new capabilities that support automation, short-run efficiency, and creative design workflows.
Single Pass Embellishments on Uncoated Media
The ZRX is a sheet-fed digital embellishment system that combines flood coating, spot coating, and foil stamping in a single pass. Built with Harris & Bruno’s coating expertise at its core, the ZRX eliminates the need for multiple machines or offline steps, making embellishment faster, more efficient, and easier to scale.
Designed to handle a wide range of substrates, the ZRX performs exceptionally well on coated media, synthetics, and even uncoated stocks. Its ability to seal the sheet and prevent UV from soaking into the sheet ensures safe and proper curing, even on materials that traditional embellishment methods typically struggle with.
xMatte: Emboss Without Dies
One of the ZRX’s most unique capabilities is the xMatte effect. This raised matte embellishment mimics the look and feel of an embossed sheet. Because the effect is digital, it does not require a die and does not bruise or damage the back of the sheet. This keeps both sides of the sheet usable, while still delivering a premium tactile experience.
The xMatte effect is especially impactful for packaging, direct mail, and high-end print applications where texture and touch can create stronger emotional engagement.
Ready to Grow with Digital Embellishment?
If you're looking to elevate your print capabilities, expand into new markets, or offer high-impact finishes without added complexity, now is the time to start the conversation. Reach out to our team and discover how digital embellishment can help your business stand out, scale up, and stay ahead.