Labels Unlimited brings digital printing in-house

The company was first introduced to Digital One at Labelexpo Americas 2016, and signed a purchase agreement on the show floor.

Mark Andy Digital One is a standalone digital label press with more than 40 units sold and in production. A dry toner CMYK printing process, multi-use flexo station, and in-line converting and finishing functionality support growing demands for short runs.

Labels Unlimited worked over the years to build its flexographic business, consisting of food, cosmetic and beverage clients. Labels Unlimited previously outsourced short runs and versioned work to a local partner with a traditional digital press. With the addition of a Mark Andy Digital One, it is able to produce the same work internally.

The Chicago-based business reports that the CMYK digital printing and converting asset was profitable from day one, as on the day of install the company was able to produce a client production run on the Digital One. The final output was then sent out the door on the same day. Average jobs are 5,000ft or less per SKU and the team prints upwards of five jobs per day on the Digital One.

Labels Unlimited owner Rami Akhras said: ‘We’re pleased with the versatility and simplicity of the press. No expensive topcoats are needed with the Digital One and it is compatible with a wide range of substrates.

‘The true value of this press is the ability to completely use our existing material; 1,000ft of leftover substrate from a flexo press is no longer waste and can be used on the digital. We don’t need to buy any media specifically for this press. Material is commonly one of the biggest costs within the pressroom and the substrate compatibility of Digital One reinforces the value of hybrid presses. Merging together the benefits of two complimentary printing process – flexo and digital – into a streamlined production process.’