Baker Labels has expanded the finishing capabilities of its digital pouch production facility, with investment in a Digicon 3000 from A B Graphic (ABG) and Edale.
Designed and manufactured in partnership between the two equipment manufacturers, Digicon 3000 is a digital finishing and converting system offering web widths between 400mm and 762mm. Features of the installed machine include dual-function unwind station, flexo/hybrid gravure print station, water-based lamination, cold foil, slitting and rewinding. Bakers’ Digicon 3000 will run in conjunction with an HP Indigo 20000 digital press previously installed as part of its BakPac operation. This combination creates a complete single-pass printing and converting line for short-run flexible packaging. Moreover, the investment by Bakers marks the first UK installation of this design for the flexible packaging market.
BakPac general manager Phil Smith said, ‘The Digicon 3000 was the natural choice considering our ongoing relationship with ABG and our other Digicons. As we look to grow the BakPac division, the Digicon 3000 will help us introduce added value features to our flexible packaging, such as extra coatings, spot varnish and cold foil embellishments.
‘We’ve included the optional gravure coating system, which will enable us to run some development chemistries so that in the future we can offer new coatings and effects.’
Delivery, installation and training on the press was executed by engineers from Edale and the team at Bakers during the third week of January 2023. The BakPac facility within Bakers was extended over the Christmas break to accommodate the new press by adding approximately 1000sqft to the digital pouch factory floor and an additional floor above to contain all the press services. The £500,000 investment comes as the trade printer gets set to mark its 50th year in business.
Baker Labels managing director Steve Baker commented, ‘Expanding our flexible division just a couple of years after launching BakPac shows the positive growth and demand for high quality, fast turnaround, short to medium runs of digitally printed pouches and flow wrap. The Digicon 3000 allows us to push into new markets and add even more value to jobs.’
ABG global sales director Matt Burton added, ‘As a long-standing ABG customer, we are proud of the strong relationship we have with Baker Labels. And as we can offer a varied range of finishing equipment that makes us the go-to choice for our customers, the fact that Baker Labels now has a Digicon 3000 and thermal laminator from ABG is a great testimony to the value we can bring to flexible packaging.’
