Peterborough-based AA Labels will be using its HP Indigo WS6800 digital press to fulfil a major order for Imperial College London. The company has been awarded a contract worth over £43,000 to print seven million cryogenic labels for the epidemiology department and supply an additional 350,000 plain labels.
The family-run company will supply 100,000 A4 sheets of cryogenic labels to the ICL’s School of Public Health, based at St Mary’s campus in Paddington, London, for use in a multicentre research study. The printing process, incorporating batching, checking and quality control intervention will take two weeks to complete, with all labels delivered in a single batch.
The 25 x 25mm square labels will be pre-printed and colour-coded with variable data and QR codes for use on PP vials, tubes and storage boxes within its research department. The labels are designed to retain adhesion and quality in liquid nitrogen storage tanks over long periods of time, down to temperatures of –196˚ C. The labels be printed on an HP Indigo WS6800 press and then cut into A4 sheets and batched.
Ian Axelsen, business development manager, commented, ‘We have worked closely with the material manufacturer’s research and development department and the customer to ensure the correct specification for the adhesive and face-stock for this application. These specialist labels are designed specifically to withstand extreme temperatures and multiple freeze-thaw cycles, for example in ice water or warm water, and retain their quality after being returned to the liquid nitrogen storage tank.
‘We are delighted to be awarded this significant contract by Imperial College London, which demonstrates our abilities as a manufacturer of labels, and achieving this has put us on an early path to growth in 2019.’
AA Labels, based near Orton Longueville near Peterborough, specialises in designing, producing and printing labels for every major market and industry sector. Established in 2006, the business manufactures and distributes plain and printed labels in a range of materials, adhesives and finishes for commercial, industrial, specialist and home use.
