Focus Label Machinery recently installed a Dflex digital hybrid press at The Label Centre, based in England, coinciding with the customer’s 20th anniversary. The family owned business has continually invested to grow the business, but this is their biggest investment to date.
With a variety of print and finishing equipment, narrow web and wide format, The Label Centre is capable of producing most labelling requirements. However, they are renowned for their short run work, servicing the durable industrial labels industry.
Opting for a 250mm width, with inkjet white as well as CMYK, the installation is the culmination of several years of research, once it became clear the next major investment would be in the digital market.
‘It became clear the market was changing,’ stated managing director Derry Bryan, ‘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.’
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. ‘We were not restricted to a fixed width of material, which is the case with toner-based systems – particularly important when considering special materials,’ commented Bryan.
All that remained was to find a UV inkjet system that would work best for their requirements. ‘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,’ continued Bryan. ‘Naturally, the quality is a priority – but we also had to consider the footprint of the machinery.’
When a major investment such as a new press is being considered, it is not just the machine itself that is important. The supplier itself is an important factor. ‘We were looking for a supplier that would offer exceptional service and treat us as an individual’, Bryan commented. ‘Focus ticked all the boxes for us as we were keen to work with a family business, such as our own. We already had a relationship with Focus as we have the Proflex and two Reflex’s in operation so knew we could expect a high level of service and have confidence in the reliability.’
Antony Cotton, sales manager for Focus Label Machinery commented, ‘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 the Dflex was the right fit and would be suitable for the range of work they need to produce 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.’
Small volume orders, variable data and images can be easily handled with the Dflex Inkjet system. Four colours plus white are possible with current production speeds of up to 50m/min. Available press width formats are 250mm or 330mm. Inkjet technology combined with a flexo print station and full options labels can now be printed, coated and converted in-line with no fuss at the press of a button.
Focus Label Machinery partners with a South African representative for their products. For more information, contact:
