Hine Labels has installed GMG ColorServer, colour management software that is allowing the UK-based printer to automate and streamline production across output devices.
Hine Labels has invested in numerous ways since the company was founded in 1980, including bringing dry toner digital printing onto its production floor in 2007, adding UV inkjet a few years later and more recently installing liquid electrophotographic hardware. A major factory expansion and rebranding exercise took place during 2020.
In 2009, Hine implemented full-colour management to ensure digital inks matched that off its flexo presses, ‘meaning no matter our printing method, your brand colours will be consistent,’ the company stated. As the company has expanded its team and range of services over the following years, colour management system has became widely accessible to various staff members, allowing for tweaks and changes to be made downstream. Over time this is said to have become both ‘unmanageable’ and time consuming, leading the company to consider its colour management strategy.
This led to the decision to invest in a new colour management system and the eventual installation of GMG Color’s ColorServer in summer 2022.
Having various digital print technologies in the factory means presses previously weren’t always all in the same colour space but, with GMG software, that issue has been resolved. This was a notable selling point for Hine, ‘to have the ability to tell customers just how accurate everything was going to be.’
Rob Lucas, who is currently Hine Labels’ marketing manager but who previously worked in the company’s pre-press department, said, ‘I understood the issues so at the top of the agenda with GMG was to have a system where colour was quality checked at key stages in the production process, but was fundamentally controlled and set by a core team – at pre-press. It had to be locked down.’
Another plus was local support as Anita Hine, managing director at the printer, commented, ‘With GMG we could get local support instantly. This was a big perk for us, as we were nervous of the large-scale changes we wanted to make to our systems. We had the option of having experts on hand, so we didn’t need to become experts ourselves overnight.
‘Since then, we have appointed a colour champion internally – Jasmine Smythe – with the help of the GMG team. They’ve really helped us level up our attention to colour management processes, inspect everything and work to robust standards. Our customers are loving it.’
Paul Williams, GMG Color UK sales manager, said, ‘From the initial conversations with Bill [Hine, CEO] and Anita, it was clear that the company would really benefit from implementing GMG’s colour management. We had an initial fact-finding meeting with the production team, where we were able to discuss and understand further what their challenges were. From this we suggested moving forward with a proof of concept and by offering this GMG were able to show them exactly how they could improve their colour, quality and repeatability.’
Mr Lucas concluded, ‘Colour management is the backbone of Hine Labels’ commitment to delivering exceptional quality. We understand that accurate and consistent colours not only enhance visual appeal but also instil confidence in our customers, ensuring that labels stand out and make a lasting impression.’
Read issue 6 (September/October) 2023 of Digital Labels & Packaging for more on this implementation and its impact on Hine Labels; register here to receive the magazine
