UK printer The Label Centre has become the latest company to install a d-Flex digital hybrid press from Focus Label Machinery.
Established in 1999, the family owned business has continually invested to grow the business. With a variety of print and finishing equipment, both narrow web and wide format, The Label Centre is capable of producing most labelling requirements. However, it is renowned for short-run work, servicing the durable industrial labels industry.
Opting for a 250mm width and a CMYK+W inkjet unit , the installation is the culmination of several years of research once it became clear the next major investment would be in the digital market.
Derry Bryan, managing director at The Label Centre, said, ‘It became clear the market was changing. 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,’ Mr Bryan noted.
Investment in a toner-based machine was quickly ruled out, as inkjet continues to improve all the time, with the ability to print on most materials being a major advantage.
He continued, ‘We were not restricted to a fixed width of material which is the case with toner-based systems – particularly important when considering special materials.
‘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.’
The Focus d-Flex hybrid press is the company’s biggest investment to date and coincides with its 20th anniversary.
‘We were looking for a supplier that would offer exceptional service and treat us as an individual,’ commented Mr Bryan. ‘Focus ticked all the boxes for us as we were keen to work with a family business, such as our own. It was also good to support British manufacturing with not only the press coming from the UK, but the digital inkjet system from Cambridge-based Industrial Inkjet.’
‘We already had a relationship with Focus as we have a Proflex and two Reflex presses in operation so knew we could expect a high level of service and have confidence in the reliability.’
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.’
