Color Label expands digital label business with Mark Andy

Saint Louis, Missouri-based Color Label began as a commercial print shop in 1865, adding a label division in 1998. Previously, it used a sheet-fed device to print digital labels but identified the opportunity to bring production in-line with a web-fed machine. The digital hybrid press was installed in early November.

Color Label, a subsidiary of Mulligan Printing, investigated web-driven digital label technology for three years prior to the Digital Series acquisition. During an initial discovery phase, Color Label explored different equipment options: strictly digital devices with off-line finishing, near-line production systems and the in-line Mark Andy Digital Series.

Jerry Kiske, Color Label president, explained: ‘Going in-line really was a no-brainer for the bulk of applications we are running, and ultimately sold us on the machine.’

Digital Series is a full-production hybrid press which combines CMYK plus white digital print with in-line converting and finishing in a single pass. It offers digital label production with at-quality speeds of 240ft/min. ‘The speed of digital hybrid is a game changer for our business,’ stated Kiske.

The Mark Andy Digital Series is allowing Color Label to offer quick turnaround times to clients in the pet care, food and beverage, industrial and governmental market segments. Looking to the future, Color Label anticipates gaining market share in craft beer as well as expanding its portfolio of durable label work with the UL 969 Certification of the hybrid press’ inkset. Additionally, production teams are exploring new applications such as reverse printing in a single pass with the new press.

Color Label has also cited Mark Andy’s support and services as key to its investment decision. ‘Mark Andy didn’t just sell us equipment and walk away,’ said Kiske. ‘It has provided us with key training for our sales team, marketing support and application expertise to help us succeed with this press.’