Euro Label Printers becomes first customer for IIJ iS print engine

The IIJ Colour and MonoPrint iS range, which feature the latest printheads from Konica Minolta, run at speeds of up to 50m/min in full color printing or mono using 6pl drop sizes, which is less than half the previous 14pl size, to provide a huge leap forward in print quality.

Print samples are being shown in public for the first time on IIJ’s booth at Labelexpo Americas at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Chicago, from 9-11 September, 2014.

The single-pass, high-speed UV digital inkjet print engine will be fitted on to a Focus Label Machinery D-Flex print platform at the company’s headquarters in London, UK next month.

The IIJ ColourPrint 142iS machine and software will be fitted on to the D-Flex system to offer personalization and short-run capabilities.

Euro Label Printers said the investment will allow it to cut production lead times from three days to as little as five hours. Euro Label Printers is targeting a 20 percent turnover jump in the first year by using the new system. a

Euro Label Printers director John Bayley (pictured) said: ‘I thoroughly researched the market and, at one point, was going to be spending 750,000 GBP (1.2 million USD) on different inkjet equipment but this is a far better solution at a fraction of the price.

‘This high-quality system will enable us to do everything we need and to service our customers in a very short lead time – as little as five hours in some cases – with a dramatic reduction in costs.

‘Until now I have been spending £150,000 (242,000USD) on waste stock and set-up as well as £50,000 (81,000 USD) on plates annually, but these costs will basically disappear with the new Focus Label Machinery D-Flex printer and IIJ ColourPrint 212iS hybrid system.’

Paddy O’Hara, director of technology at IIJ, said: ‘The feedback from customers such as Euro Label Printers who have been using the new systems on pilot projects has been extremely positive. Our print engines are designed to be easily integrated into any customer’s existing production line.’

Read more about IIJ's presence at Labelexpo Americas 2014 in the Labels & Labeling online show preview