Superfast Labels adds SurePress L-4033AW

Based in Sitingbourne, Kent, Superfast Labels purchased the UK’s first Epson SurePress L-4033A in 2012. The new digital label press offers white capabilities and full variable data printing flexibility.

The investment in the SurePress L-4033AW was due entirely to the success of the original press, and Superfast Labels managing director Andrew Miller said: ‘Our customers love the quality of the SurePress and, combined with our shortened lead times, this has resulted in a real influx of work. Ultimately this extra work meant a new press was inevitable.’

Epson’s SurePress AQ ink set includes white ink for solid, opaque white printing on materials such as clear film and metallic substrates to reproduction of foil colours, offering the flexibility of printing white first or last.

The additional features of white ink and variable data printing capabilities has led to new markets opening up to Superfast Labels, and has contributed to the company’s turnover growth of over 25 percent in the last year.

Superfast Labels also continually moves work from its existing three flexo presses to digital, based on lead times and print requirements, with the flexo/digital work split veering towards digital becoming the preferred option for short-to-medium length printed work.

‘As part of the new SurePress installation we sold off a flexo press and replaced it with a second GM die-cutting unit,’ Miller said. ‘This additional die-cutting capacity allows greater flexibility in production, particularly at peak times.’

‘Overall the benefits of the second press are substantial,’ Miller concluded. ‘The factory runs more smoothly with production scheduling being far easier and, when combined with the quality produced, makes it an extremely good and profitable choice.

‘We expect a similar increase in profit this year as last year, which may well mean another press within the next 12-18 months.’