HP Indigo installs first WS4600

HP has announced the first HP Inidigo WS4600 digital press was installed in the UK in November 2011. The new press will complement the comprehensive range of flexographic label presses at Readyprint, based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

‘I am convinced that within three-to-five years, those companies without a digital capability will have a struggle to retain their ability to meet customer demands,’ said Syd Reading, founder and managing director, Readyprint. ‘Although we had the option of contracting out digital print, we decided that we wanted to retain control of the process and the quality.’

The WS4600 offers 4-color printing at speeds up to 50ft/min (15m/min) and up to 70ft/min (21m/min) in the new Enhanced Productivity Mode. For 1- and 2-color work, the press can run up to 196ft/min (50m/min).  It can handle a wide range of pressure-sensitive stocks and films up to 350 microns and also supports HP ElectroInk White and HP ElectroInk Invisible Red which can be used to add anti-counterfeiting components like invisible barcodes and other security features.

Readyprint has also invested in additional finishing equipment, a Digicon Lite and an  Omega RTS330 folder from A B Graphic International, an HP finishing partner, which it has had configured to its own specification.

‘We are certainly interested in doing more than labels on the press,’ Reading continued. ‘Apart from the ability to print labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging and folding cartons, the ability to add security features to products adds value and gives us great flexibility for our future development as well as an immediate competitive edge.’

Reading concluded, ‘The installation of the WS4600 press is part of our strategic development which will include moving into ecommerce, and a new website for our customers with enhanced online ordering.’

Pictured: Syd Reading, managing director with Readyprint's WS4600

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