Arc Labels installs Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 230

The new press will complement existing Focus flexo presses and Newfoil hot foil presses in order to enable the company to provide a broader range of labels, from low volumes to high volumes – across a wide range of market sectors and applications.

The AccurioLabel 230 is designed for label printers who are looking to move into digital, or who have existing digital technology such as inkjet, but need to be able to offer an alternative. With 23.4m/min print speeds, and a native 1200 x 1200dpi resolution, the output quality competes favorably against other high-end digital presses which cost three-to-four times the price. It is able to run standard 330mm width coated paper, uncoated paper and polypropylene label materials with no special pre-coating.

Allan Ford, director of Arc Labels, commented, ‘The new press comes with Konica Minolta’s own Label Impose software, which optimizes the use of media by automating jobs, such as impositioning and step-and-repeat, as well as support for 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, which then performs the necessary functions. This is complemented by a Konica Minolta Miyro Auto Scan Spectrophotometer, which gives us the ability to accurately profile and calibrate colors in around four minutes. This technology enables significant savings in time and waste. We find the AccurioLabel 230 very simple to operate, allowing us to be in full production within one or two days after delivery.

‘The cost model of the press is based on a straightforward click price per linear meter, which includes all consumables, spare parts and servicing. This allows us to quote for a job without seeing the artwork, as there is no issue with estimating toner coverage.’

Antony Cotton, technical sales manager at Focus, added, ‘Our partnership with Konica Minolta brings together the product excellence and support of this highly respected manufacturer, along with our own considerable printing & finishing industry expertise. This partnership continues to open up exciting new avenues for our UK customers, looking for an affordable way to provide production digital print services alongside traditional label print solutions. Arc Labels is a perfect example of such a customer. We have built a strong relationship with them over many years, and we are delighted that they have again chosen to partner with Focus in this latest venture.

‘The AccurioLabel 230 provides a simple business model that makes perfect sense to small and medium sized print businesses competing in a changing market. The considerable benefits include on demand full color printing, sampling, variable data and graphics, fixed price printing, no special substrates, and low-cost investment – all fully serviced, and inclusive of consumables and components.

‘Being a Konica Minolta expert reseller enables us to deliver an exciting new product option at the right price, which is perfect for customers looking to adapt to an ever-evolving market.'

As well as being a Konica Minolta Industrial Print Partner, Focus also specializes in supplying and manufacturing narrow web flexographic and integrated digital printing presses and innovative solutions for digital finishing equipment.

Focus has also added the AccurioLabel 230 to its technical showroom facility, alongside the Reflex 330 semi-rotary label finishing equipment for demonstrations. Visitors will be able to directly compare toner and inkjet digital technologies side by side, as well as finishing and hybrid flexo equipment.