LabFax invests in Konica Minolta Accurio Label 230 digital press

Shropshire-based converter LabFax has become the latest UK label printer to install the Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 230 digital toner press. The latest investment, supplied by Focus Label Machinery, marks a milestone for LabFax, which is now able to print full colour labels digitally for the first time.

The AccurioLabel 230 is intended for label printers aiming to transition to digital production or those with existing digital technology, such as inkjet, who need an alternative. With print speeds of 23.4 m/min and a native resolution of 1,200 x 1,200 DPI, the output quality is said to compete favorably with other high-end digital presses that cost three to four times more. The press can handle standard 330 mm width coated paper, uncoated paper, and polypropylene label materials without requiring special pre-coating. 

Labfax operations director, Claire Radnor, commented: ‘We had been researching digital label presses for some time but kept coming back to the AccurioLabel 230. For the price and the footprint size, there isn’t another press available, which gives us the high print quality and variable data facility we need. As well as selecting the most suitable press, we were also conscious of choosing a reputable and reliable supplier. The longstanding partnership between Labfax and Focus Label Machinery, plus the Konica Minolta Accurio Label, was the perfect solution for us.’

The new press comes with Konica Minolta’s AccurioPro Flux label imposition software, which optimises media use by automating jobs, such as imposition and step-and-repeat, and supports variable data printing. It works on a simple drag-and-drop principle, where the one-up, print-ready PDF file is simply placed into the software, performing the necessary functions. This is complemented by a Konica Minolta Miyro Auto Scan Spectrophotometer, which can accurately profile and calibrate colours in around four minutes. This technology is said to enable significant savings in both time and wastage.

Radnor added: ‘We find the AccurioLabel 230 very simple to operate, with intuitive software and controls. Both Focus and Konica Minolta were very helpful and professional throughout the procurement and installation process, helping us to conduct a number of trials, before we committed. This is a huge step for our company and one that will greatly benefit both our business and our rapidly expanding client base.’

James Thomas, head of sales and business development at Focus, commented: ‘This investment for Labfax is a journey that incorporated a lot of internal deliberation but already having a good partnership with Labfax, Focus were able to offer support in deciding on the best digital engine to take them into the new era for the business.

‘The AccurioLabel 230 provides a simple business model that makes perfect sense to all sizes of printing companies, competing in an ever-changing market. The considerable benefits include on demand full colour printing, sampling, variable data and graphics, fixed price printing, no special substrates, and low-cost investment - all fully serviced, and including consumables and components.’

Focus is an accredited Konica Minolta Industrial Print Partner and specializes in supplying and manufacturing narrow-web flexographic and integrated digital printing presses and digital finishing equipment.