The machine, which was installed around three months ago at the Cirencester, Gloucestershire-based firm’s premises, will enable the business to produce cost-effective four-colour labels in smaller quantities.

“We have three- and four-colour flexo presses. Our larger clients order longer runs of 40,000-50,000 labels, whilst the typical client orders 6,000-8,000 spot colour labels,” said managing director Howard Burr.

“Much of our work has been for retail businesses. These boutique businesses will use carry bags with cord handles to promote their company and products. We create the labels for them.

“The challenge is that many four-colour label jobs come with new artwork, and are likely to be run only once. To create the labels and pay £150 for four plates and for dies to manufacture runs of 1,000 is too expensive. It’s why we decided to invest in a digital printing and finishing system.”

The firm opted for a smaller, completely digital system as it decided the expenditure was too high to be viable for larger systems.

It also found that many of the more economical systems it looked at could not print accurately on pre-cut media as some of the analogue cutters had problems with digital printing.

The iTech Centra HS efficiently manufactures label runs of 300-900 linear metres of roll substrate. It produces fully finished labels, in any shape, without dies.

The system combines the iTech Centra HS Digital Label Printer with the iTech Centra HS Digital Label Finisher. The printer is an LED toner device that images consumer-quality labels with durable and consistent colour at 1200x600dpi, at speeds of up to 9.1mpm.

The finisher is a high-speed roll-to-roll digital finishing system that lets users laminate, die-less cut, strip the waste matrix and slit custom labels in one production pass.

“Technology is shifting so rapidly. In the Centra HS we saw something we needed now; a digital capability. We can produce a four-colour label within a day or so,” said Burr.

“The Centra HS has an attractive ROI, and offered us easy entry into the market. It is fulfilling our requirements. It turns around multicolour work very quickly, and can cut any shape or size.

“We were looking for a digital printer and finisher that did not require a massive investment for our initial foray into digital. Now, when we look for new business, I don’t mind working with companies that need only 1,000 labels.”

Malmesbury Labels manufactures and prints self-adhesive labels for a wide range of applications, from food and drink products to general packaging and labelling.