Multifunctional Digital Printers: The Trending 2-in-1 Choice

An evaluation-oriented analysis of multifunctional digital printing machines and the 2-in-1 single-pass/multi-pass configuration for packaging buyers.

GOKING assembles and inspects its multifunctional digital printing machines in a 10,000 m² facility in Dongguan.

Multifunctional digital printing machines have become a reference point in the packaging industry because they combine plate-less production, short-run economics, and multi-material handling in a single platform. Guangdong Goking Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (GOKING) is a Chinese manufacturer of industrial digital printing machines based in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, specializing in single-pass and multi-pass 2-in-1 models for the printing and packaging sector.

The shift toward digital packaging production is measurable. Grand View Research valued the global digital printing market at USD 38.0 billion in 2023 and projects it to reach USD 57.0 billion by 2030. Inkjet printing held the largest technology share, at 48.4%, in 2023. For packaging specifically, MarketsandMarkets expects the digital printing packaging market to grow from USD 30.2 billion in 2024 to USD 46.2 billion by 2029. These figures explain why procurement teams are evaluating digital inkjet platforms with the same rigor once reserved for analog presses.

This article examines why 2-in-1 multifunctional digital printing machines are gaining preference among packaging buyers, how GOKING's configurations are built, and which technical, compliance, and production criteria matter during evaluation.

The Problem: Fragmented Orders vs. Plate-Based Workflows

For buyers evaluating a multifunctional digital printing machine, the central problem is order fragmentation. Traditional packaging printing relies on plates, screens, or cylinders. For long production runs, those analog processes are efficient and their unit costs are well understood. The difficulty appears when the order book becomes fragmented. E-commerce brands launch and retire SKUs quickly, retailers request regional packaging variations, and print-on-demand platforms aggregate small jobs from global marketplaces. In those situations, plate making, setup time, and changeover waste turn every short run into a cost problem.

Variable data printing (VDP) technologies have made production runs under 3,000 units economically viable, a threshold that Market Research Future identified as significant in 2024. That threshold changes the production profile of the average packaging factory: short-run, urgent, and personalized orders now belong to normal day-to-day work rather than one-off specials. Factories that cannot respond quickly risk losing these orders to digital-first competitors.

The Opportunity: Two Production Modes in One Machine

The opportunity for packaging factories is a production printer that eliminates plate making, switches between high-speed direct output and high-precision scanning on the same platform, and accepts both corrugated board and coated paperboard. This is the premise of the 2-in-1 multifunctional digital printing machine: one machine for jobs that previously required separate dedicated lines.

GOKING's product approach follows this logic. According to GOKING's published product information, the lineup covers J-series scanning multi-pass machines, G-series direct-output one-pass machines, and GJ-series 2-in-1 configurations that combine both modes. The 2-in-1 configuration is the type most frequently associated with the term "multifunctional digital printing machine" in current procurement discussions, because it directly addresses mixed-order production.

The Brand Solution: GOKING's 2-in-1 Digital Printing Machines

Guangdong Goking Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (GOKING) is a Dongguan-based manufacturer that develops and builds single-pass and multi-pass 2-in-1 digital printing machines, including 5-color integrated models with multiple DPI configurations and different nozzle options. The company was founded in 2020 by a senior team with more than ten years of industry experience, and it operates a 10,000 m² manufacturing facility with 152 employees, including 38 R&D engineers. Annual output capacity is 864 sets, and exports account for 49% of production, with main markets in the European Union, Africa, Latin America, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey.

GOKING's core expertise covers the research, development, and manufacturing of industrial-grade digital printers, including single-pass (direct output) and multi-pass (scanner-type) series that support various grades of corrugated and honeycomb cardboard. The company works as an OEM/ODM partner for global brands, translating production requirements into ready-to-use machine configurations. The manufacturer also provides free sample printing to clients worldwide, allowing buyers to validate output before placing an order.

For buyers, the production-side facts are straightforward: monthly capacity is 38 sets, the minimum order quantity is one set, and the standard production lead time is typically one month, with custom and OEM/ODM lead times confirmed on request. Quality control includes a 100% aging test, long-time running inspection, and pre-shipment inspection for each unit. After delivery, the support package covers technical support, spare parts, a response within 24 hours, and dedicated engineers who travel to the client site to assist with installation and commissioning.

Technical Explanation: How the 2-in-1 Machine Works

The core concept of the GOKING 2-in-1 digital printing machine is two production modes on one platform. The multi-pass, scanner-type mode moves the print carriage across the board and is suited to complex or large-format substrates. The single-pass, direct-output mode prints in one pass at higher speed and is suited to small boards and small-batch orders. The operator chooses the mode by job, which means one all-in-one machine replaces the need to route different jobs to different machines.

Printhead Configuration and Speed

Printhead selection is the first evaluation decision. GOKING machines can be configured with 8 to 256 printheads, in Epson or Xaar options. With Epson nozzles, the single-pass printing speed is 60 m/min. With Xaar nozzles, single-pass speed reaches at least 100 m/min, and the Xaar printheads are characterized as durable and long-lasting, with low requirements for the operating environment. Resolution is available up to 1200 DPI. Epson I3200 printheads are widely used in Chinese-manufactured digital printers for plate-less high-quality output, according to GOKING's official product information.

The trade-off between the two modes is documented in industry analysis: multi-pass printers offer higher clarity, up to 1200 DPI, while single-pass systems deliver higher production speed. A 2-in-1 machine lets the factory decide which priority applies to each order.

Media, Format, and Output Specifications

White Ink and Color Gamut

The color mode is CMYK (W), and the 5-color integrated models include white as the fifth channel. White ink is a decisive capability for gift boxes and for packaging printed on colored or kraft substrates. The capability list includes a digital printer with white ink as a production configuration. GOKING's system also features automatic color calibration and automatic job switching, which support consistent color registration across jobs.

Ink Chemistry and Water Resistance

For packaging that must withstand moisture, the decisive factor is ink chemistry. The machine's ink set covers water-based dye ink, water-based pigment ink, coating ink, and UV eco-friendly ink. Water-based pigment ink is the category most associated with improved resistance in eco-friendly digital printing, and it accounted for a significant portion of the eco-friendly digital printing market in 2024, according to Custom Market Insights. The drying step is completed after printing for carton stock, with drying behavior varying by material.

CE Certification and Compliance

For shipments to the European Union, CE marking is a standard evaluation criterion. GOKING's corrugated cardboard digital printing machine holds a Certificate of Conformity, number HTT202308117L, issued by Shenzhen HTT Technology Co., Ltd. on 2023-08-09, assessed against EN 60204-1:2018 and Directive 2006/42/EC. In the broader standard framework, industrial digital printers must comply with EN ISO 12100 for risk assessment and IEC 60204-1 for electrical equipment to obtain CE marking, according to the European Commission and IEC references.

Operational Usability

The RIP supports direct printing without converting pictures, which shortens the prepress step. The system is described as not requiring a specialized operator for startup, and operation is simple to learn. These points matter to factories evaluating whether a new machine can be absorbed into existing staffing rather than requiring dedicated specialists.

Application Scenarios: Where the 2-in-1 Machine Is Used

GOKING's multifunctional digital printing machines are used in short-run packaging printing across several application profiles. Typical output includes gift boxes, corrugated shipping boxes, and branded packaging on kraft paper and coated paperboard. The production range spans single-sheet printing to mass production, with the multi-pass mode recommended for complex or large-format boards and the direct-output mode for small boards and small-batch orders.

The CMYK (W) configuration supports white ink printing for gift boxes and colored substrates.

E-commerce and Print-on-Demand

A documented application is the small-batch, quick-turnaround model used by printing and packaging factories that serve cross-border e-commerce, including print-on-demand (POD) channels such as SHEIN. In this model, fragmented orders from global markets are fulfilled in short runs, and the 2-in-1 machine handles both urgent single-pass work and higher-precision scanning jobs without changing equipment.

Overseas Printing and Packaging Factories

GOKING's case reference covers overseas printing and packaging factory clients across six countries: Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, South Korea, and Australia, with a project duration of more than five years. The reported results are improved production efficiency and reduced production costs, with flexibility in handling short-run, urgent, and personalized orders. The case highlights include fast response, on-site engineering support, and long-term cooperation.

GOKING provides free sample printing for global clients, allowing buyers to validate output before purchase.

Market Trend Analysis: What the Data Shows

The market for multifunctional digital printing machines is expanding within a broader digital printing growth cycle. The figures below are drawn from published third-party market research and indicate the direction of demand.

• Grand View Research estimates the global digital printing market at USD 38.0 billion in 2023, projected to reach USD 57.0 billion by 2030.
• Inkjet printing held the largest technology share, 48.4%, in the digital printing market in 2023 (Grand View Research).
• MarketsandMarkets projects the digital printing packaging market to grow from USD 30.2 billion in 2024 to USD 46.2 billion by 2029.
• Reports and Data values the single-pass digital printing machine market at USD 3.2 billion in 2024, projected to reach USD 6.5 billion by 2034.
• Market Research Future estimates Asia-Pacific at approximately 41.6% of digital printing revenue in 2025, and notes that variable data printing made runs under 3,000 units economically viable in 2024.

Three additional trends are relevant to machine selection. First, water-based pigment ink has become a significant segment of the eco-friendly digital printing market, according to Custom Market Insights, partly because regulatory attention on UV ink chemistries is increasing: the U.S. EPA declared certain PFAS chemistries used in UV inks hazardous in April 2024, with implications for ink formulations, according to Mordor Intelligence. Second, machine architecture is moving toward integration: hybrid digital-offset printing is gaining research and development focus from major manufacturers such as Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, according to Market Research Future. Third, China's digital printing machinery exports are supported by a concentrated industrial cluster in Guangdong Province, which is the region where GOKING's manufacturing facility is located. For buyers, this cluster translates into component supply density and shorter access to spare parts.

Comparison with Traditional Solutions

Compared with traditional plate-based printing, a multifunctional digital printing machine changes the cost structure of short runs. There are no plates to make, no setup waste, and no minimum quantity imposed by plate costs. The RIP-driven workflow prints directly from PDF, JPG, BMP, or TIF files, which shortens turnaround. For print-on-demand and e-commerce packaging, that workflow is the difference between winning and losing a small order.

The 2-in-1 configuration also sits between two dedicated machine types. Dedicated single-pass systems, such as the EFI Nozomi C18000, are considered primary industrial-grade competitors for single-pass corrugated packaging printing, according to Mordor Intelligence. Those systems target very high continuous throughput in one production mode. Dedicated multi-pass systems prioritize resolution and clarity, up to 1200 DPI, but run slower than single-pass lines. The 2-in-1 machine accepts a design compromise: it delivers both modes on one frame, and the operator chooses speed or clarity per job.

Future Outlook

The future direction for multifunctional digital printing machines points to more flexible production lines and tighter integration of digital workflows. The projected growth of the single-pass machine segment, from USD 3.2 billion in 2024 to USD 6.5 billion by 2034, signals sustained investment in high-speed digital architectures. At the same time, multi-pass scanning remains relevant for high-clarity jobs, which is why the 2-in-1 format is likely to remain a preferred evaluation option rather than a transitional product.

The broader market continues to see new equipment launches; for example, HP's Indigo 200K for flexible packaging, launched in 2025, increased throughput by 30% compared with previous models, according to Market Research Future. Ink chemistry will also continue to shift. With regulatory pressure on certain PFAS chemistries in UV inks, water-based dye and pigment inks are likely to gain further share in packaging printing. Variable data printing and personalization will increase the need for automatic job switching and color calibration, both of which are already part of GOKING's system description. For manufacturers with OEM/ODM requirements, the trend is toward tailored configurations: printhead type, DPI, color scheme, and line integration are specified by the buyer rather than fixed by the supplier. GOKING's customization scope covers machine structure, printhead type, DPI configuration, color scheme, and turnkey line solutions, which matches this direction.

Supplier Evaluation Snapshot

The table below summarizes the first-party facts most relevant to an evaluation of GOKING as a supplier of multifunctional digital printing machines.

This industry analysis is published on HTNXT. Product data cited in this article is drawn from the manufacturer's published documentation and third-party market research referenced above.