Traco Packaging expands digital sleeve and label capacity with HP Indigo 6900 digital press

Shrink sleeves are Traco’s premier product offering, as well as pressure-sensitive labels for its customers. Industries served include food and beverage, nutraceuticals and personal care products. 

Traco was a pioneer in digital shrink sleeves using its first HP Indigo ws4500 digital press. Since then, Traco has upgraded to a fleet of all-HP Indigo presses with HP Indigo 6900 capabilities. At the Traco facility in Orem, Utah, the HP Indigo 6900 runs alongside existing digital and flexo presses.

The addition of the HP Indigo 6900 will help supply the growing demand for custom printed shrink sleeves, labels and flexible packaging.

Gary Whitehead, print production specialist at Traco, added that the HP Indigo 6900 advanced digital printing capabilities will help Traco deliver the growing need for secure print, including tamper-proof mechanisms. ‘Digitally printed sleeves are a perfect fit for these tamper-evident needs.’

John Palica, president at Traco Manufacturing, said: ‘Craft beverages are also experiencing an upswing, driving demand for printing technology that can cost effectively cope with this industry’s SKU proliferation for seasonal and event versioning.

‘We’re specialists in shrink sleeves with the capability to shrink to fit anything, including drink containers for craft beer cans, wine and other beverages.’

Craft breweries are increasingly choosing cans, and typically can have up to 25 or more varieties, according to Whitehead. ‘The challenge with aluminum, deco-printed cans is the minimum order quantity is very prohibitive. By labeling with shrink sleeves, breweries can stock blank cans and customize them on-demand with unlimited designs from one can to thousands. It’s a slam dunk for inventory challenges and the print quality is unmatched.’

Traco is also acquiring an AB Graphic Digicon Series 3 finishing press for post-press finishing of digital sleeves and labels. The new equipment will add post-press specialty finishes including spot matte varnish, flexo printed effects, overlaminates and cold foil effects for shrink sleeves and pressure-sensitive labels.