The Brentwood, Essex-based trade label specialist has added a JetFx inkjet unit to one of its two AB Graphic Digicon Series 3 label finishing lines, adding the ability to apply digital foil, high build varnish and authentication embellishments.

The module was installed just before lockdown, but due to the resulting restrictions training and product trials were delayed. However, virtual and socially distanced training and trialing took place last month, with Bakers now ready to roll out the new applications the JetFx offers.

“I feel the JetFx will be a great addition to the services we can offer our trade clients. The ability to varnish and foil variable data is very limited at this time, so offers huge potential for value added jobs for our customers,” said Steve Baker, managing director.

“The detail that we will be able to produce with both the foil and the varnish will be exceptional. From fine halftones to large solids on one design along with variable heights to give a tactile feel – very exciting.”

Bakers installed its two Digicon lines in summer 2018, as part of a £650,000 spend. One line was slightly higher spec than the others, configured with a Big Foot 50-tonne capacity hot foil/embossing unit and doming towers, but both had 100% camera inspection.

The new unit was installed on the Digicon without the Big Foot unit.
While the business has remained in production throughout lockdown, work had reduced and it placed around 20% of its 100 staff on furlough.

In the early days of lockdown it kept busy with a mixture of trade work and various pro-bono projects, including the Salute the NHS campaign, which it is producing 1m free labels for, although commercial work has picked up in recent weeks as lockdown eases and business reopen.

The business is currently running additional product trials on the line and customers can request sample packs from the Baker website to see first hand the possibilities the JetFx offers.

“Everybody wants faster turnaround these days so die-less foiling and plateless spot varnish removes another potential barrier to achieving this goal,” said Baker.

“This is a very good fit in our strategy of finding new, cutting edge equipment that is pushing the boundaries of what can be produced in the labelling world. It’s also going to be very interesting when we use it on flexible packaging and pouches.”