Etiquetas y Formas installs Mexico’s first Cartes GT360 embellishment line

MEXICO – Guadalajara-based converter Etiquetas y Formas has installed Mexico’s first Cartes GT360 converting and embellishment line, marking a significant milestone for the country’s premium label printing sector.

The state-of-the-art system, supplied by Italian manufacturer Cartes, integrates hot foil stamping, screen printing, embossing, and die-cutting capabilities designed to deliver high-value decorative finishes for luxury labels.

The GT360 line was installed shortly after Labelexpo Mexico 2025, following Cartes’ announcement of a new sales and service office in Guadalajara, a move aimed at strengthening the company’s local footprint.

The installation was quickly followed by a second at Codiflex’s Juarez plant, underscoring the growing demand for advanced embellishment solutions in Mexico’s expanding label market.

Founded in 2001 by siblings Martha, Roberto, and René García, Etiquetas y Formas has grown from a small, three-color Mark Andy operation into one of the country’s leading converters.

Initially focused on local labels for snacks and soaps, the company has since expanded into the tequila, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and personal care markets, driven by continued investment in Nilpeter flexographic presses and diversified production capabilities.

“The GT360 stood out for its innovation and the quality of the labels it produces,” said Martha García, co-founder and sales director at Etiquetas y Formas.

“The tequila market is where we are seeing the strongest growth and most opportunity, so high-level embellishment was a key factor in our decision.”

The new Cartes system features an unwinder module with corona treatment, three-color hot foil stamping, semi-rotary flexo printing, flat-bed screen printing, and die-cutting with Air Gap and Image Distortion Systems, enabling the converter to create visually striking labels for high-end products such as tequila, olive oil, and luxury cosmetics.

Virgilio Micale, Cartes’ global sales director, said the installation validates the company’s strategy of deepening its commitment to Latin America.

“We see big potential in Mexico, especially in tequila and wine applications that demand high-end embellishment,” he said. “The new office ensures local support, technical service, and spare parts availability.”

Cartes plans to open a new 2,000 sqm production facility in Mantova, Italy, after Labelexpo Europe 2025, dedicated to manufacturing the GT360 platform.

The company expects several more GT360 installations across Mexico within the next 18 months, signaling rising sophistication in the region’s label and packaging market.

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