Representing an investment of over £500,000, the machine was installed at the beginning of August and replaced one of the company’s existing three Indigo WS6800s, although two others have been retained.
The Brentwood-based company also operates two Screen inkjet presses, plus an HP Indigo 20000 in its flexible packaging division, BakPac. A Nilpeter FB3 flexo press completes the fleet of reel-to-reel label presses. At the start of 2023, the business expanded the finishing capabilities of BakPac after buying a Digicon 3000 from ABG and Edale.
In preparation for the latest HP installation, the company’s digital area had to have a major shuffle around to make space for the incoming larger press with ILP, and to remove the outgoing Indigo WS6800.
The Indigo 6k builds on the previous machine with the addition of faster time-to-colour and automated colour-matching process guaranteeing colour consistency and repeatability using HP Indigo Spot Master and other automated colour calibrations. Other features include on-the-fly job colour scorecard and colour performance reports.
The addition of the ILP unit enables easy on-demand treatment of substrates and means the business can print on nearly any substrate. It also eliminates the need for additional processes and simplifies inventory management.
Baker Labels managing director Steve Baker said: “This latest HP Indigo 6k press with ILP was a natural progression as we needed to update our original 6800. It’s our first to include an inline primer unit – we currently coat our materials offline, so this gives us a few more options.
“We have a policy of ensuring our staff have the best equipment to produce top quality work with the least number of issues. This install will ensure the digital division is covered for a few more years.”
Peter Jolly, UK & Ireland manager at HP Indigo, added: “We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with Baker Labels. For many years Baker have been early engagers in HP Indigo technology, for example being one of the first label-based printing companies to install an HP Indigo 20000 flexible packaging press; and now continuing that investment in innovation with HP Indigo 6K with inline primer.
“What is always an added bonus is working with the Baker Labels team is always such a pleasure. A brilliantly proactive and positive team, led from the front by Steve Baker.”
Independent family business Baker Labels has been established for 50 years this year, after Roy and Marian Baker founded the company in 1973. It moved to its current home of Brentwood in 2011 and today its 112 staff turn over £16m.
