Baker Labels has replaced an existing HP Indigo WS680 to a 6K model, this being the first of its toner-based digital label presses to feature inline priming.

Bakers has invested in a total of nine HP Indigo presses to date, with the machine removed having been acquired in 2014.

The company’s current digital department consists of three HP Indigo toner-based and two Screen inkjet digital presses. In addition, the flexible packaging division, BakPac, uses an HP indigo 20K press. A flexographic Nilpeter FB3 completes the company’s overall reel-to-reel label presses.

By upgrading, Bakers now has access to HP Indigo’s Spot Master technology and a new higher frequency spectrophotometer that affords faster colour calibration while printing that is 4x faster. New HP Production Pro DFEs deliver a RIP engine that is 25% faster and features an integrated variable data engine. A web-based user interface allows access to the DFE from any computer on the network without the need to install multiple clients.

More importantly, the HP Indigo 6K includes an inline digital primer that enables on-demand treatment of substrates, allowing the press to print on nearly any substrate and simplifying inventory management.

Bakers managing director Steve Baker commented, ‘This latest HP Indigo 6k press with ILP was a natural progression as we needed to update our original 6800. It’s our first to include an inline primer unit – we currently coat our materials offline, so this gives us a few more options.

‘We have a policy of ensuring our staff have the best equipment to produce top quality work with the least number of issues. This install will ensure the digital division is covered for a few more years.’

In preparation for the HP Indigo 6K installation, the digital area had to have a major shuffle around to make space for the incoming larger press with ILP and to remove the outgoing HP Indigo.

Baker Labels has recently expanded the finishing capabilities of its digital pouch production facility, with investment in a Digicon 3000 from A B Graphic (ABG) and Edale. It has also upgraded its pouchmaking activities with a system from India’s Galaxy Packtech.