The new, additional machine has been installed at the Liphook, Hampshire-based firm’s 743sqm premises in the past few months.

Prior to taking delivery of the 18.9m/min device, Scott Labels was an entirely flexo operation, running a fleet that included two six-colour UV Focus Proflex flexo presses and a die-cutting machine used for plain labels.

The Konica Minolta machine has enabled the six-staff company to cost-effectively print short-run label orders, helping it to win new business and cater to the changing needs of its existing customers.

“Running short-run, multicolour, multi-version labels on the flexo presses was both time and cost-intensive,” said managing director David Scott.

“We had to constantly change the plates, and it was difficult to match both the quality and price of digitally printed labels. We were missing out on lots of potential new business.”

Scott said the firm considered a range of alternatives, both toner and inkjet, before coming to its final decision.

“The decision to go with Konica was made after looking at numerous options. We are still very interested in inkjet for the future, however we chose to go with the dry toner Konica option based on the capability of the press to handle many standard materials.

“The new press allows us to service almost any short-run requirement for very high quality full-colour labels on all standard paper substrates, and works equally as well on textured materials, polypropylene and vinyls.”

He added: “It is proving particularly useful in growing our customer base in short-run specialist artisan foods and beverages, as well as specialist hygiene cleaning, automotive and chemical cleaning products.”

The Konica Minolta kit came bundled with AccurioPro Label Impose software, for the fast and efficient imposition of labels, and is also equipped with Color Centro technology, which enables the operator to edit colour with visible adjustments on screen.

“The Color Centro software package enables excellent colour control. We have been able to reproduce a very good range of Pantone colours on customer jobs so far. And the AccurioPro Label Impose software is intuitive to use and provides a quick and easy platform to learn from,” said Scott.