Portuguese printer Astrografe has installed a Screen Truepress Jet L350UV+LM inkjet digital label press, helping it win new business even through the coronavirus pandemic.
Established in 1980, Astrografe has built a strong position in niche areas of label printing, such as the Portuguese organic food industry and the ink sector. The family-owned business, located in Loures, north of Lisbon, has a large share in the Portuguese market for food packaging, as well as offering a wide range of other products such as calendars, stickers, mouse pads and postcards. It also provides posters, calendars and printed badges for Portugal’s top soccer teams, Benfica, Sporting and FC Porto.
Astrografe has been a long-time user of Screen’s L350 digital label printing technology, and the low migration model has replaced its first Screen press. This meets demand for specialised labels, such as certified low migration food labels for the organic food industry, noted Marco Cardoso, Astrografe manager. ‘Since installation, we’ve found that this new system has helped us open new markets, and even win new customers while other companies are struggling to survive.
‘During these challenging times, it’s even more important for customers to be flexible and run short print runs to adjust to fast-changing circumstances. And this is exactly what the L350UV+LM system allows us to do,’ added Mr Cardoso.
Screen has sold and installed several new systems in the competitive Portuguese market, which is quick to adopt new technologies and ways of production, including digital printing, according to Fernando Tordo, Screen’s Iberia sales manager.
Astrografe’s press upgrade saw the company back up and printing in just five days.
‘The Screen team’s effort and expertise in being able to replace and install the new system allowed us to start producing again in just five days,’ said Mr Cardoso.
