The Label Centre has installed a d-Flex digital hybrid press from Focus Label Machinery. The company’s biggest investment to date, the installation coincides with its 20th anniversary.
Capable of producing most labelling work, The Label Centre is best known for its short-run work for the durable industrial labels industry. It opted for the 250mm wide press, which prints in CMYK and white, once research showed that its next major investment needed to be in the digital market.
‘It became clear the market was changing,’ explained managing director Derry Bryan. ‘Not only were runs getting shorter, we were being asked to produce more complex artwork. There is a base of work we can migrate over from not only our flexo press but also the wide format. The majority of the jobs however will be new work as this investment opens up a wide range of opportunities for us.’
Improvements in inkjet technology led to the Dudley-based company ruling out an investment in a toner-based machine. ‘We were not restricted to a fixed width of material which is the case with toner-based systems – particularly important when considering special materials,’ Mr Bryan continued. ‘Once we decided we required a system that would allow us to print and finish inline, we then looked at the other factors that were important to us as a business. Naturally the quality is a priority – but we also had to consider the footprint of the machinery.’
Antony Cotton, sales manager at Focus Label Machinery, added, ‘We are delighted that The Label Centre has chosen Focus for this important investment. Although this is an existing customer, we worked hard on making sure that d-Flex was the right fit and would be suitable for the range of work needed to be produced on the press. Extensive print trials and sampling were conducted at our technical development centre, using a range of substrates and customer-supplied artwork files to ensure that we achieved the high-quality results required.’
