ITW Labels invests in Mark Andy Digital Series

With legacy experience in both UV inkjet digital and flexo printing, ITW Labels is well versed in the value each technology offers to support variable run sizes, decoration options and color management. The company, though, needed increased productivity to support augmented current demand and strategic growth plans.

‘We were looking for a solution to support our developing book of business, while refreshing our existing pressroom lineup at the same time,’ said Brad Shuff, division operations manager at ITW Labels. ‘We expect the Digital Series to support that effort with high-speed UV inkjet digital printing combined with high-productivity flexo printing and decorating. This new inline hybrid workflow affords us the option of shifting work from other equipment, resulting in productivity gains.’

Quality and color management were also major considerations for ITW when evaluating new technologies. Their search had been targeted to digital options offering six or seven-color gamut capabilities.

‘We needed to be sure the press was going to support all the colors demanded by our customers,’ Shuff said. ‘Press demonstrations at Mark Andy proved that the CMYK+W gamut supported by the Digital Series print engine more than satisfied our requirements, and we had the added benefit of additional flexo stations to hit even more colors, or add high-impact decoration if required.’

Steve Schulte, vice president of sales and marketing at Mark Andy said: ‘We are proud to partner with ITW at this exciting time in their 110 year history. We are confident the Digital Series is configured to support their business now, and provides the flexibility to fully manage future growth and advancement.’

Currently the 13-inch (330mm) Mark Andy Digital Series, which runs at speeds of 240 ft/min, is equipped with three flexo stations. ITW is already entertaining the option of adding inline converting to the press. Historically making use of offline finishing solutions for their digitally printed material, ITW is experiencing higher-speed production off the digital/flexo hybrid solution, and as a result will be evaluating the added value of inline die cutting. The modularity of the Digital Series solution provides that flexibility to upgrade the platform as needs change.