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Ultra Labels bets big on digital

Adyasha Sinha — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 07:00:28 +0000

Digital printing 02 September 2026

Ultra Labels bets big on digital

Australian converter has spent 15 years proving that conviction, patience and capital beat price-cutting every time.

It was sometime around 2008. Scott Springett had just sold Clear Image, the label business he had built over 12 years, to
Australia’s second-largest wine label printer, CCL Industries. He had capital in the bank, decades of experience and no particular plan. Then Shane Kelly, a former colleague to whom Springett had given his first job in labels back in 1991, got in touch. He had a business idea and a co-founder lined up. The three men met, and Kelly and Ross Fursey laid out their vision as Springett listened. Then he told them the plan was wrong.

‘They wanted to become another flexo printer,’ Springett recalls. ‘And I said: the world doesn’t need another flexo printer. There are enough of those around.’ He had been an early investor in digital printing at Clear Image, installing one of the first HP Indigo presses in Australia in 2005. He had watched the technology’s potential closely enough to see where it was heading. ‘I said we really needed to approach this differently, coming at it from the digital angle. It was a classic story of talent meeting capital. They had the ideas and the operational know-how. I had the experience and the capital from the sale of the previous business.’

That conversation led to the founding of Ultra Labels in October 2009, with a single HP Indigo WS 6000 in a facility in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Sixteen years later, the company operates with three production sites across Queensland and South Australia, employs more than 80 people, prints over five million labels a week and has just taken delivery of the first HP Indigo V12 digital press in Asia Pacific. The V12 purchase, confirmed at Labelexpo Europe 2025 in Barcelona, was described by distributor Currie Group as the largest single digital sale in its history.

The thread connecting the first meeting to that Barcelona announcement is consistent throughout: Springett and his team identify where the market is heading, commit capital before the rest of the industry catches up and then have the discipline to wait.

Learning to sell digital

In 2009, digital label printing was a genuinely difficult sell in Australia. The market was flexo territory: long runs, plate costs buried in the unit price, customers ordering six months of stock at a time. Ultra Labels’ pitch required customers to think differently about the economics of labels, and not all of them were ready to.

‘It took about 12 months,’ says Springett. ‘But we had a story to tell. We could show a customer what their label looked like before they actually ordered it. We could print a single sample. No plate costs. It was faster, it was offset quality and you didn’t have to order 50,000 labels. You could order 5,000. Digital is a value product, and it was never about matching flexo prices. I told my team: this is a premium product, we have to find the customers who want it and they are out there.’

“‘The world doesn’t need another flexo printer. We had to approach this differently, coming at it from the digital angle”

The early believers came from industries defined by high SKU counts, frequent design changes and a tolerance for paying more per label in exchange for flexibility and speed. Healthcare labels for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products needed rapid updates and small volumes. Ultra Labels did not discount its way to growth. It waited for the right customers, added a second press for redundancy to protect its lead times and assumed market leadership in Brisbane within a few years.

A Sydney facility followed in 2013. A third press, the HP Indigo 6800, was installed in Brisbane in 2018. In 2021, Ultra Labels opened a production facility in Tanunda, South Australia’s Barossa Valley, adding an HP Indigo 6K in 2022 to serve the local wine and spirits industry. By that point, the digital case had long been made. The question was where to go next.

The move into flexible packaging

The answer came, as so many of Ultra Labels’ strategic moves have, from its existing customers. Brands that were already buying labels from the company were also buying pouches and flexible bags, typically from suppliers in China. When they asked Ultra Labels to take on that work too, the problem remained the same: offshore manufacturers required minimum orders of 100,000 units. Ultra Labels’ customers wanted 5,000.

The HP Indigo V12 further expanded an army of HP machines

‘They would tell us they couldn’t buy from China because China wanted 150,000 units, not 5,000 or 10,000,’ Springett explains. ‘So, we kicked that idea around for years, and eventually our balance sheet was healthy enough to say yes. In 2019, we took the plunge and bought the first HP Indigo 20000.’

The printing side was familiar enough. Digital was digital and printing on unsupported film, rather than paper or facestock, was manageable. The converting side was a different discipline entirely. ‘Once you put the ink on the substrate, that’s where the similarities start and end,’ Springett says. ‘Flexible packaging is a very complex business.’ Ultra Labels built out the capability regardless, constructing a flexible packaging operation in Brisbane that now runs two HP Indigo 20000 presses, two laminators, two slitting machines, a JetFX embellishment unit and three pouch lines. A Galaxy Packtech pouch-making machine, ordered after a visit to UK converter Bakers Labels, was due to arrive imminently at the time of this interview. It was expected to push monthly pouch capacity to two million units.

The investment in flexible packaging now stands at close to 15M AUD (10.7M USD). Springett is matter-of-fact about the logic. ‘It doesn’t take long to work out the size of the flexible packaging market and the opportunities compared to labels,’ he says.

Mark Daws, director of labels and packaging ANZ at Currie Group, which supplies HP Indigo technology across Australia and New Zealand, agrees. ‘Flexible packaging is the fastest growing digital segment,’ notes Daws. ‘The ability to switch between flexible packaging and label applications, and print pressure-sensitive labels, flexible packaging and shrink sleeves on the same day is a game changer for our customers.’

The contrarian buys flexo

There is a certain irony in the fact that the man who told his co-founders the world didn’t need another flexo printer has now bought one. A Nilpeter FA-26, installed at Ultra Labels’ Brisbane facility, is the first 26-inch-wide press sold into the Australian market, marking Nilpeter’s debut in the country. Springett and production manager Johnny Marusic flew to Nilpeter’s factory in Denmark to seal the deal, on the same European trip that took them to Nordvalls in Sweden to see the V12.

The purchase is not a retreat from the digital conviction. It is an extension of the same logic that has driven every investment Ultra Labels has made: going up the volume curve to meet customers where they are.

Ultra Labels’ Brisbane HQ at Eagle Farm, Queensland

‘We had some longer-running jobs on our HP Indigo 20000
presses and those machines are great up to a certain run length, but they don’t go any faster,’ Springett explains. ‘We had large customers wanting to give us more volume. The FA-26 runs at around 10 times the speed of the digital press. So, it just made sense: if we’re going up the volume curve on labels with the V12, we should do it on flexibles too.’

The FA-26 features UV LED curing technology, which reduces energy consumption and eliminates the need for mercury lamps in the workflow.

It supports Ultra Labels’ ISO 14001 environmental management certification and its commitments under Australia’s 2025 National Packaging Targets. Marusic’s existing flexographic experience helped manage the operational transition.

Seeing the V12 in Sweden

The HP Indigo V12 had been on Springett’s radar for years before he finally ordered it. He had watched the press’s development from a distance, grown skeptical when updates went quiet for a period and then received a call from Mark Daws at Currie Group inviting him to visit Nordvalls in Malmö to see the machine running at full production speed.

‘I told Mark: don’t take me on a wild goose chase. If it can do what they say it can do, I’m ordering it on the spot, because anything that enables us to produce more material faster, improve productivity and reduce unit labor costs is exactly what we need,’ Springett says. ‘We went up to Malmö. The HP team was there; we had a good question-and-answer session with the Nordvalls CEO. We talked to the operators on the press and saw it run. And when you have 20 years of experience in digital, and you see this thing, you just think: wow.’

The V12, powered by HP’s LEPx technology, prints at up to 120m/min compared to roughly 1,000m/hr on Ultra Labels’ existing HP Indigo 6000 fleet. The press is designed as a high-speed digital complement to analog flexo, enabling converters to serve medium- to high-volume runs without the setup times, plate costs and waste associated with conventional printing.

For Ultra Labels, which had already been seeing its run lengths grow as its customer base matured, the timing was right.

“Digital is a value product. It was never about matching flexo prices, we had to find the customers who wanted what we were offering”

Managing director Ross Fursey was direct about the investment’s implications.

‘This machine is going to allow us to improve our lead times, quality and customer response,’ he said at the Labelexpo Europe announcement. ‘It allows us to increase our run lengths and move up to medium to higher volume for those clients wanting higher resolution for their labels. It complements our HP Indigo 20000 presses for flexible packaging and is a step up from our existing six HP Indigo 6000 presses.’ In practical terms, the V12 replaced two of those 6000 machines, consolidating output onto a single press, reducing staffing costs per meter produced by a fraction.

Currie Group’s Daws confirmed it was the largest single digital sale in the distributor’s history, and one that carried personal significance.

‘Our relationship with Ultra Labels stretches back to 2009,’ adds Daws. ‘This will complement the HP Indigos they already have in their portfolio and will revolutionize their speed to market with a broader client base.’ HP Indigo Asia Pacific general manager Arnon Goldman echoed the sentiment at the announcement: ‘The whole idea of the V12 is non-stop printing, and I am personally excited that this is the first in Asia Pacific.’

Quality as competitive currency

The commercial ambition behind Ultra Labels’ equipment investments is validated by the presses’ actual output. At the 2025 FPLMA Print Awards, one of Australia’s most prestigious packaging competitions, Ultra Labels won three Gold awards
across flexible packaging (digital) and label (digital) categories: one for BsC Meal Replacement Shake flexible packaging, another for the Brookie’s Rainforest Gin wine and spirits label, and a third for the IP Warhammer Protein Powder label. A Hentley Farm Cotes de Hentley wine label, which had won gold at the 2024 FPLMA awards, went on to win a World
Label Award in the international L9WLA competition, a recognition that requires first winning a national association prize before being entered at the world level.

The Nilpeter FA-26 is the first 26-inch-wide flexographic press sold in the Australian market

‘These awards celebrate the innovation and dedication of our team and clients,’ said Fursey. ‘We’re proud of this recognition, but even more excited to keep pushing the boundaries of print and packaging to deliver standout results.’

Sustainability: evidence, not aspiration

Ultra Labels’ environmental credentials are formally established: ISO 14001 certification, HP Carbon Neutral presses, a take-back program for HP consumables and increasing use of polypropylene labels incorporating 30 percent post-industrial recycled PP resin content. On the broader sustainability question, however, Springett resists what he sees as a gap between industry rhetoric and commercial reality.

‘The evidence for digital is empirical and irrefutable,’ he says. ‘Less energy, smaller footprint, less waste, everything is contained. That’s a matter of fact. The bottleneck with sustainability is getting the right substrates available at production scale and at a price that works. We’ve developed recyclable material options for customers and then shown them the price and watched them walk away. There has to be a point where these materials are available, reasonably priced and proven to work through production lines. We don’t see the problem being at our end. If we can get the material, we can print on it, we can make a bag.’

Discipline as strategy

With the V12 commissioned, the Nilpeter FA-26 running, and the Galaxy pouch line arriving, Springett believes the major
investment phase is largely complete. A high-speed AB Graphic International Digicon finishing line to complement the V12 remains to be ordered, but the broad shape of the business is set.

‘The table is just about set for us now,’ he says. ‘In flexibles, we’ve got the laminators, the slitters, the embellishment unit, the pouch lines. In labels, we’ve made significant upgrades. Now we’ve got to work it. Now we’ve got to go in the same direction we’ve been going, in the same markets, with the same customers.’

“We take the view that the machine should be put in and filled with the right work. I’ve seen where all
the price cutters have ended up. Their doors aren’t open today”

Brisbane’s growth trajectory adds to his confidence: population migration into Queensland, a favorable labor market compared to Sydney and Melbourne, and the 2032 Olympic Games on the horizon are all factors he cites.

In addition, the investment in flexibles alone stands at nearly 15M AUD (10.7M USD) over the past several years, with a further multi-million-dollar commitment to the V12. But Springett is just as emphatic about what Ultra Labels has not done as about what it has. The business has never competed on price. It has never over-invested in capacity ahead of the work to fill it. And it has never mistaken activity for strategy. ‘Over capacity is the killer,’ he says. ‘Putting a machine in and saying you’ve got to get it on shift straight away to get your ROI. That mentality is a killer. We take the view that the machine should be put in and filled with the right work. I’ve seen where all the price cutters have ended up. Their doors aren’t open today.’

For converters considering a move into digital production or flexible packaging, he offers the same advice he has followed
himself: find the gap before you spend the money. ‘There has to be an opportunity. When I started Clear Image, I could see
a gap in the label market. When I started Ultra Labels, I could see a gap. If you’re going into a business just to be a price taker, that’s all you’ll ever be. These businesses take 10 years to build. You need a long-term view; you need to be prudent
with your investments and your customer selections. Don’t be afraid to say no.’

Forty-one years in, Springett has seen the labels industry survive recession, disruption and a pandemic, reinventing itself at each turn. He expects it to keep doing so. The V12 in Brisbane is not the end of the story. It is, as every major investment at Ultra Labels has been, the beginning of the next chapter.

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Stic Image installs Mark Andy hybrid press

Selah Zighelboim — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:43:49 +0000

French independent label converter Stic Image has installed a Mark Andy Digital Series HD hybrid press.

Established in 1994, Stic Image has spent more than 30 years building a reputation for high-quality labels and customer service. In 2015, the company was acquired by Cyrille Roze, who now leads the enterprise as president and managing director.

Roze described the company’s corporate culture as customer-oriented. 'We are a multi-specialist player in all sectors of the label market with a comprehensive range of technology to fulfill all requirements,' he said.

When he took over in 2015, the company was using three letterpress machines, a flexo line and a digital toner press. Staff numbers stood at 36 and sales turnover at 5.2m EUR.

Eleven years later, Stic Image no longer has letterpress machines, and is equipped with greater flexo and digital toner capacity, so the choice of a digital hybrid press was unusual for the converter.

'The French label market is polarizing – consolidation at the top where volume reigns supreme, and the disappearance of the very small label shops that can no longer afford new technology to stay competitive,' Roze said. 'The middle ground is where I see niche opportunities that suit our style and production capability.'

The new press is essentially a UV/inkjet engine mounted on a Mark Andy Performance Series flexo platform. It is configured with five digital colors (CMYK+W), with five flexo print stations arranged before and after the digital engine to allow spot color printing, varnishing, cold-foil application or lamination.

The press has a 430mm web width and a production speed of 73m/min, which is more than double that of Stic Image’s toner-based presses. Fitted with turn bars, a Gizmo (web translator) and a die-cutting unit, the DSHD offers single-pass production of finished labels.

Roze said the press has increased digital print and finishing capability.

'This is a real bonus, as 60 percent of our human resources is engaged in off-line finishing, making the Mark Andy a far more productive tool, and has allowed us to move jobs from our flexo presses as their run lengths have become too short to be commercially viable,' he added.

By freeing up flexo capacity, the Mark Andy has served a dual purpose: handling existing jobs and attracting new work. A high proportion of work at Stic Image is five colors, so with five on the inkjet engine and five flexo units, the converter has a press that can be used as a hybrid or a pure digital or pure flexo line.

Although Roze said he initially had concerns about the working life of the inkjet heads and Mark Andy’s ability to support the press in France, both concerns were laid to rest early on. He described the press as ‘fully stabilized’ and is complimentary about the speed and efficiency of the after-sales support provided by Mark Andy Europe. This has been especially important for the type of jobs Stic Image takes on, where accuracy and guaranteed delivery times are non-negotiable.

Labels for agri-food, pharmaceuticals and beverages make up around 85 percent of the company’s work, and while this gives the business a broad footprint, each sector has its own specific requirements for which the Mark Andy press is well-suited. More than half of Stic Image’s output is printed digitally, and the Mark Andy already handles 20 percent of the total output on a single-shift basis.

The company prides itself on its quality output and ‘green credentials’. In 2022, it transitioned to low-migration inks and has subsequently received PEFC FSC Label Certification. In 2023, it completed an Eco-Responsible Commitment with Carbon Footprint Assessment. It is also a multi-award winner with UNFEA, from which it received Qual’étic certification in 2017.

Turnover this year will approach 7m EUR, the majority of which is French business. Roze intends to attract more business from the wine producers in the region. He is also encouraged by the fact that Mark Andy is now represented exclusively in France by Mach Global, led by its owner Stéphane Rateau.

'The new Mark Andy set-up in France with Stéphane Rateau has given us confidence that our investment in the company’s technology will be well supported by a reliable team, and I am keen to make use of the DSHD hybrid’s full capability to grow our business,' he concluded.

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Reflex Etikett invests in Nilpeter FA-22 press

Adyasha Sinha — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 07:49:18 +0000

Reflex Etikett, part of Reflex Group, has further expanded its production capabilities in Norway with the installation of a new Nilpeter FA-22 flexo press, continuing the group’s strategy of standardizing on the FA-line platform across multiple sites.

The installation marks another important step in the long-standing partnership between Reflex Group and Nilpeter, with Reflex Group now operating 17 Nilpeter presses. Following recent investments across the UK and the US, the new FA-22 now brings the same proven technology to Reflex’s Norwegian operation, ensuring greater production flexibility, consistent print quality and job transfer across the group’s international manufacturing footprint.

Located in Norway, Reflex Etikett has built a reputation for delivering self-adhesive labels and packaging services to a broad range of industries. The investment in the FA-22 provides the company with additional capacity while supporting its continued focus on efficiency, automation and enhanced print quality.

By operating on the same FA-Line platform as other Reflex sites, jobs can be moved more efficiently between production facilities, strengthening both operational flexibility and business continuity.

The installation also reinforces the group’s long-term strategy of building a common production platform across its international operations.

Ian Kendall, founder and chief executive of Reflex Group, commented: 'The installation in Norway is another important milestone in our strategy of creating a unified production platform across the Group. We know exactly what we get with the FA-line – reliable performance, outstanding print quality, and a platform that supports both today’s production requirements and our future ambitions. It allows us to operate more efficiently across multiple countries while giving our customers complete confidence in the consistency of our products.'

For Nilpeter, the installation further demonstrates the strength of a partnership that continues to grow across several international markets.

David Kitson, managing director, Nilpeter UK, said: 'Seeing the FA-Line platform continue to expand throughout the Reflex Group is something we’re incredibly proud of. The installation at Reflex Etikett in Norway is another example of how a common technology platform can help large print groups standardize production, improve flexibility, and support future growth. We greatly value the partnership with Reflex and look forward to continuing the journey together.'

The Norwegian installation follows a series of recent FA-line investments across the Reflex Group, underlining the company’s continued confidence in Nilpeter technology as it expands its international manufacturing network and further strengthens its position as one of Europe’s leading label and packaging converters.

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PrintCo360 adds Mark Andy Digital Series iQ

Selah Zighelboim — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:15:36 +0000

When PrintCo360 began evaluating its next digital press, founder and owner Joey Hicks kept returning to a practical question: Why take a production process that had long worked in one pass on flexo and divide it among several pieces of equipment?

The Rainsville, Alabama, converter came close to purchasing a standalone digital press. But the more Hicks considered the steps required to move printed rolls through separate die-cutting and slitting operations, the less sense the arrangement made. PrintCo360 ultimately chose a Mark Andy Digital Series iQ, a UV inkjet hybrid platform that keeps printing and converting in-line, consistent with the one-pass production model the company had long relied on in flexo.

Founded in 2012, PrintCo360 represents three generations of printing and packaging experience. Hicks’ father spent his career in flexography, with a deep background in wide-web bags, pouches and other flexible packaging applications. He helped Joey establish PrintCo360 and move into narrow-web label production.

Today, several of Hicks’ children work in the company, including his oldest son, Silas, who began on a slitting system, became a press operator and now oversees production, quoting, scheduling,and coordination with the sales team. The company describes its culture as a 'functional family', where employees step in to help one another and solve production problems collaboratively.

For Hicks, family ownership influences the responsibility people bring to the work.

'There’s more caring involved because my kids realize that this is part of their future, too,' he said. 'They’re directly affected by everything we put out the door. Their life is tied to our success, and that creates a different level of accountability. They take pride in the work because they know our name is on it, and they understand that every decision we make today shapes what comes next for them and for the business.'

PrintCo360 operates four presses, all from Mark Andy, and began adding digital production around a decade ago. The move toward digital production was driven by a recognition of shifting label demand and the need to stay aligned with evolving market expectations.

That assessment has proven accurate. Hicks is seeing average runs become smaller while the number of SKUs continues to grow. Food and beverage is currently one of PrintCo360’s strongest areas of expansion, including work for craft beer, spices and other consumer products where brands frequently introduce new varieties and designs.

Although the company is rooted in northeastern Alabama, its customer base is far from exclusively regional. PrintCo360 ships throughout the US and into Canada, with Hicks estimating that approximately 40 percent of its work is produced for customers outside its immediate market.

The Digital Series iQ is configured with two flexo stations, one before and one after the digital engine, along with in-line die-cutting. That gives PrintCo360 the ability to combine digital printing with flexographic coatings, spot colors and other requirements without moving the roll to another press.

'We went to see roll-to-roll digital standalone machines, and I kept thinking, "This doesn’t make sense to me,"' Hicks stated. 'You’re asking for a bottleneck when you have to print it, move it to a die cutter and then move it somewhere else to slit it. We had been printing and converting in-line on flexo presses for years. Why would we stop doing that when we went digital?'

The press has become a platform for the company's expanding multi-SKU label work. Instead of stopping repeatedly to change plates, inks, anilox rolls and ink pans, PrintCo360 can prepare multiple versions in prepress and run them consecutively while the press continues operating.

'The quality coming off the press is number one,' Hicks said. 'It's in register, and we’re not spending time playing around with inks. If a customer has a couple thousand labels across ten different SKUs, we can set them all up in prepress and run them through. The press never stops. In flexo, that would have taken hours upon hours.'

Hicks expects PrintCo360’s next major press investment to remain on the digital side of the business. He sees stronger margins in digitally produced prime labels and values the ability to deliver high-impact graphics efficiently across a wide range of order sizes.

The company’s longer-term goal is ambitious: to add approximately one new press each year while continuing to evaluate where its customer mix and most profitable opportunities are moving. 'We want to continue growing, stay on the forefront of the technology that is coming out and remain extremely competitive,' Hicks stated.

With the Digital Series iQ now contributing capacity across food, beverage, craft beer, spices and other applications, PrintCo360 has taken another step in that direction. The investment combines the production logic the company trusts from flexography with the versioning, consistency and efficiency of digital printing, giving this family-owned converter a practical platform for its next stage of growth.

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PrintCo360 adds Mark Andy Digital Series iQ

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The Mark Andy Digital Series iQ is a UV inkjet hybrid platform.

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Superfast Labels expands with GM

Selah Zighelboim — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:04:23 +0000

UK label converter Superfast Labels has strengthened its production capabilities by installing a fourth GM finishing machine in two years, continuing its focused investment strategy to support growing demand for high-value multi-layer labels.

The latest investment is a GM DC350Flex equipped with the MultiLayer module, configured to increase production capacity for the company's expanding multi-layer label business. The new system enables Superfast Labels to process higher volumes while maintaining fast lead times, flexibility and consistent quality.

As demand for multi-layer labels continues to grow across sectors requiring multilingual information, regulatory compliance and enhanced product communication, converters are increasingly investing in dedicated finishing technology that combines flexibility, automation and reliable production performance. The DC350Flex platform has been developed to meet these requirements, allowing converters to produce advanced label applications while maintaining high productivity and efficient workflows.

The investment was led by directors Scott Obermuller and James Emmerson, who once again selected GM technology through John Hopkins of GM UK following the successful installation of three previous GM finishing systems.

James Emmerson, director of Superfast Labels, said: 'Demand for multi-layer labels continues to increase across several industries, and we wanted to stay ahead of that growth. Adding another GM finishing line gives us the additional capacity we need while maintaining the speed, efficiency and quality our customers rely on. This is our fourth GM machine in just two years, which says a great deal about our confidence in both the equipment and the support we receive from GM UK.'

The DC350Flex is GM's modular finishing platform, designed to grow alongside converters' production requirements. Configured with the MultiLayer module, the system enables the manufacturing of peel-and-reseal and extended-content labels, while maintaining accurate web handling, high production speeds and consistent finishing quality.

John Hopkins, GM UK, said: 'Our relationship with Superfast Labels has never been built on a single machine or a single commercial decision. It's the result of years of working together to continuously improve their production. Reliable technology, ease of operation and consistent quality have created a partnership that delivers long-term value and gives Superfast Labels the confidence to keep investing.'

The latest installation also reflects the close partnership between Superfast Labels and GM UK. Beyond the technology itself, the two companies have worked together to continuously develop and optimize production processes that support Superfast Labels' evolving requirements. Combined with reliable performance, ease of operation and consistent finishing quality, this collaborative approach has helped create a production platform that delivers long-term value and gives Superfast Labels confidence in future investments.

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Superfast Labels has installed four GM finishing machines in the past two years.

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Superfast Labels has installed four GM finishing machines in the past two years.

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Gavin Watson installs HP Indigo 35K

Will Drysdale — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:44:34 +0000

Gavin Watson has installed an HP Indigo 35K digital press at its facility in Blantyre, near Glasgow, as it looks to expand its short-run packaging capabilities.

Completed in July 2026, the installation supports the launch of a new on-demand digital packaging service for short and ultra-short runs. The company said the offering will allow emerging and challenger brands to order commercially viable quantities without committing to the minimum volumes typically associated with conventional production.

The HP Indigo 35K joins an existing HP Indigo 6900 digital press at the site and will be used to produce prototypes, multiple design versions and personalized packaging. Reduced makeready requirements will also enable Gavin Watson to process more individual jobs per shift.

Tom Brown, CEO of Gavin Watson, said: ‘Growing brands shouldn’t have to compromise between exceptional packaging and ordering more than they need. By combining HP Indigo technology with our packaging expertise, we offer a more agile approach to short-run packaging, delivering premium quality, faster turnaround times and the flexibility to produce personalized, on-demand packaging.’

The investment follows growing demand for short-run carton packaging as brands introduce products more frequently, manage a greater number of SKUs and respond to shorter consumer-driven product cycles.

Gavin Watson is also developing its internal expertise in color management, variable data printing, workflow automation and digital press operation. Its production and design teams will collaborate on packaging concepts that the company said would have been more difficult to execute using conventional processes.

Producing packaging on demand is expected to help customers reduce excess inventory, overproduction and the volume of unused packaging made obsolete by changes to products or designs.

Jack North, UK and Ireland HP Indigo packaging sales, commented: ‘With the HP Indigo 35K, Gavin Watson is closing the gap between the speed at which brands evolve and traditional packaging production – enabling brands to think smaller in quantity, faster in execution and bigger in creativity.’

Gavin Watson expects digital production to play a growing role in its business as shorter product cycles, SKU proliferation and sustainability pressures continue to reshape packaging requirements.

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Gavin Watson installs HP Indigo 35K

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Scottish-based converter invests in an HP Indigo 35K to expand its short-run packaging capabilities.

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Scottish-based converter invests in an HP Indigo 35K to expand its short-run packaging capabilities.

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Graphic Technic Prints invests in second Rhyguan machine

Adyasha Sinha — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:49:30 +0000

Tamil Nadu, India-based Graphic Technic Prints (GTP) has upgraded its post-press machine portfolio by installing a new Rhyguan Plus 330, a semi- or full-rotary flexographic printing and die-cutting machine from Flexo Image Graphics (FIG). It marks the second Rhyguan machine for GTP.

Kailash Periasamy, partner at GTP, said: 'Three years ago we installed a Rhyguan SMART 330, a high-speed slitter rewinder from FIG. Having been highly satisfied with the performance of the first Rhyguan machine chosen for slitting applications, we have opted for the second Rhyguan for conversion. This newly arrived Rhyguan Plus 330 printing and die-cutting system in our post-press division is designed to finish printed labels with outstanding embellishments, eventually adding a new level of visual appeal and premium finishing to our products.'

Rhyguan Plus 330 is designed for servo-driven semi- or full-rotary flexographic printing and semi- or full-rotary die cutting, with independent registration and re-registration. It boasts a string of advanced and modern features, such as web cleaner, semi-rotary cold foil with differential core holder, chill drum, iUV hybrid LED curing system, IR dryer, among others. It is capable of printing two colors in semi/full rotary mode, converting them in semi/full rotary mode and supplying in roll or sheet form as per the customer’s requirement. Rhyguan Plus 330 also features an auto-roll lifter in the unwind, a web monitoring system and an IML conveyor.

GTP produces a wide range of finished products, particularly labels, customized ice-cream cone sleeves, cartons, and so on. 'Embracing both traditional and modern technologies for label printing, conversion, and packaging solutions, we deeply focus on providing exactly what our customers want at pocket-friendly prices. We could do all these because of our team’s commitment and the modern machines we run, such as the new Rhyguan Plus 330,' mentioned Periasamy. He added: 'FIG truly deserves applause not only for the machines they supply but also for the unconditional post-sales service support they provide. We look forward to undertaking more
projects with FIG in the future.'

Gourav Roy, managing director, FIG, commented: 'Graphic Technic Prints’ second pick of Rhyguan from our portfolio reflects the company’s trust in the machine and service we provide them. We have a vast installation base of Rhyguan machines in India, with many of our longstanding and valued customers like Graphic Technic Prints and other existing customers continuing to invest in multiple machines.'

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Graphic Technic Prints invests in second Rhyguan machine

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The deal is facilitated by Flexo Image Graphics, Rhyguan's distributor in India.

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The deal is facilitated by Flexo Image Graphics, Rhyguan's distributor in India.

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Quantum invests in Fujifilm J Press FP790

Selah Zighelboim — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:50:13 +0000

Quantum Flex Pack, based in Rockford, Illinois, has purchased a Fujifilm J Press FP790 digital flexible packaging press. This represents the sixth J Press FP790 sale globally since the product’s launch, and the first in the Americas.

'I am incredibly proud that Quantum Flex Pack is the first company in North America to purchase the J Press FP790,' said Brian Batease, CEO of Quantum Flex Pack. 'This acquisition represents a major leap forward in our capabilities and underscores our commitment to investing in the most advanced flexible packaging technology available. We are truly excited to be at the forefront of this innovation and look forward to delivering unmatched quality, efficiency and value to our customers.'

Yuji Oki, general manager, Fujifilm North America Corporation, Business Innovation Division, said: 'When it comes to flexible packaging, an ever-growing variety of new products and shorter delivery times are rapidly changing market dynamics. J Press FP790 was created to meet these high market demands, achieving both high-quality print output and adhering to the strict regulatory requirements of the packaging business, while facilitating a strategic and profitable packaging business. Those reasons and more are why J Press FP790 was a perfect fit for Quantum Flex Pack’s business model. We are thrilled they saw the value, quality and growth potential FP790 brings.'

Fujifilm’s installation of the J Press FP790 at Quantum’s plant began earlier this month.

Features of the J Press FP790 include competitive production speeds with no make-ready and changeover downtime, as well as a print speed of 164ft/min with a maximum substrate width of 31 inches, irrespective of the ink colors. The press provides 1200X1200DPI resolutions with CMYK inks. It achieves Pantone colors without more costly spot color inks, while using two white ink channels for delivering high white opacity. The press also delivers 1200X1200DPI resolution with water-based inks.

It includes an integrated inspection tower for real-time quality control. Its ultra-high quality and wider gamut print quality make it possible to convert or work in collaboration with analog flexo and rotogravure jobs. It fits into existing flexible packaging production processes.

Fujifilm employs water-based primers and inkjet technologies, improving sustainability. The J Press FP790 also produces less waste and uses fewer consumables compared to traditional analog production of a similar nature.

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1 week 1 day ago

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Quantum invests in Fujifilm J Press FP790

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This is the first Fujifilm J Press FP790 digital flexible packaging press sold in the Americas.

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This is the first Fujifilm J Press FP790 digital flexible packaging press sold in the Americas.

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Skanem Africa installs first Durst digital press in East Africa

Adyasha Sinha — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:50:02 +0000

Digital printing 24 August 2026

Skanem Africa installs first Durst digital press in East Africa

The investment enables Skanem to accelerate speed, flexibility and hybrid label production.

Skanem Africa has strengthened its production capabilities by installing a new Durst Tau RSCi 420 digital inkjet press at its Nairobi facility. The investment marks the company’s first move into digital printing and the first Durst installation in East Africa.

The decision reflects a broader transformation in the regional labels market, where demand for faster turnaround times, increased SKU variation and shorter production runs is reshaping converters’ strategies, such as Skanem’s. The shift is encouraging converters to adopt a hybrid production setup in which digital complements traditional flexo.

The company houses four Bobst conventional flexo presses. The integration of Durst’s digital inkjet press enables Skanem to respond more effectively to changing brand-owner requirements while complementing its existing flexo strengths.

According to Sachen Gudka, managing director of Skanem Africa: ‘This investment marks an important step in how we support the market. Brand owners today need faster product launches, more flexibility across SKUs and lower inventory risk.

‘Our investment in the Durst digital inkjet platform allows us to respond to these needs in a much stronger way. It positions Skanem Nairobi as a more capable hybrid partner for customers across East Africa.’

“We are Durst’s first customer in East Africa and they were very keen to use us as a flagship customer in the region”

By combining digital and flexo technologies, Skanem can now manage a broader mix of job lengths, from short to long runs, with improved efficiency.

‘The investment is about helping our customers move faster and innovate more confidently, knowing the new product development cycle will be shortened, and also bring products to market with greater speed and agility,’ he adds.

Skanem Africa evaluated several options before selecting its digital partner. Beyond technical performance, the strength of the partnership and regional commitment were key differentiators.

‘We chose Durst based on support, responsiveness and interest. We are Durst’s first customer in East Africa, and they were very keen to use us as a flagship customer in the region,’ Gudka notes.

He also emphasizes confidence in inkjet as the future direction of digital printing. ‘I believe digital inkjet is the way forward and will come out stronger. Durst is a good quality machine and gives us the right placement.’

To complement the press, Skanem has also installed A B Graphic Digicon Series 3 off-line finishing equipment, enabling a complete and streamlined production workflow.

Changing print landscape

The installation represents a key milestone not only for Skanem Africa but also for the wider East African label market, positioning the company as an early adopter of industrial inkjet technology in the region.

‘I think for us, it’s really about the fact that labels should be an enabler, not a bottleneck. And it is a strategic capability investment,’ Gudka says.

‘The hybrid capability of conventional flexo and digital gives our customers more choice and a better fit-for-purpose solution. So ultimately, it’s about speed, flexibility and lower commercial risk.’

Middle East disruptions

The recent disruptions in the Middle East have impacted the global supply chain. For Skanem Africa, these disruptions have impacted the sourcing of BOPP films. Fortunately, the company was able to secure shipments ahead of escalation, allowing it to build buffer stock. However, replenishing that stock has since become difficult.

‘Getting supplies out of the Middle East now is difficult. To mitigate this, Skanem Africa has begun diversifying its sourcing strategy. Suppliers with production capabilities in Egypt are offering some support, while we are looking at alternative supply routes from India and China to maintain continuity. However, this will result in longer lead times because of shipping routes and higher costs. We have to balance that, which eventually stretches our working capital,’ Gudka says.

Material costs are rising, putting pressure on working capital. Gudka notes that disrupted shipping networks could take at least six months to stabilize.

‘This is impacting consumers because converters will pass on price increases to brand owners, who will then pass on price increases to consumers. Consumers are already constrained and dealing with higher inflation arising from fuel costs and food costs, which will impact their disposable income and demand in East Africa,’ he explains.

Interestingly, rather than slowing down, brand owners are engaging in panic buying to secure materials at current prices before new, more expensive stock arrives. However, Skanem Africa is prioritizing fair allocations to all customers.

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Scancode begins digital journey with Domino

Adyasha Sinha — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 04:10:29 +0000

Digital printing 21 August 2026

Scancode begins digital journey with Domino

The shift toward short-run label production and increasing SKU complexity is accelerating digital adoption in India.

Ahmedabad, India-based Scancode Auto ID Technology is accelerating its transformation from a label supplier to a full-service packaging provider, owing to its latest investment in Domino N610i digital printing technology.

The move reflects not just a technology upgrade, but a broader strategic shift driven by evolving customer demands, SKU proliferation and the rise of startup brands across India.

Mitesh Patel, managing director of Scancode Auto ID Technology, began his journey in 2016. He started with Panth
Print Pack, supplying plain and pre-printed self-adhesive and barcode labels to manufacturing industries. However, close interaction with customers revealed recurring challenges around material quality, service reliability and flexibility.

‘I realized that to solve these issues, we needed control over the entire process,’ Patel explains.

This insight led to the establishment of Scancode Auto ID Technology in 2021, with the acquisition of a small print company and the opening of its first manufacturing facility. The move enabled the company to produce both plain and pre-printed labels in-house, improving consistency, quality
control and delivery timelines.

Scaling up

As branding and packaging requirements became more sophisticated in the region, Scancode expanded its capabilities in 2023 by installing an advanced 450mm, 8-color
LED flexo press from Multitec, one of the first-of-its-kind in Gujarat.

This investment allowed the company to strengthen its presence across key sectors, including FMCG, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, home and personal care and agrochemicals.

Today, labels account for 60 percent of the business, complemented by a growing flexible packaging division.

Recognizing the growing need for branding and packaging, Scancode launched Imprenta, its premium printing and packaging brand, as an end-to-end service. Imprenta offers services from design and printing to packaging for both
domestic and international customers.

“Customers who start with digital for short runs can scale up to flexo as their volumes grow”

Through Imprenta, the company now delivers a wide portfolio including labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging pouches,
folding cartons, laminated rolls and seamless tubes.

Digital investment

The next turning point came as the Indian packaging and label market began to evolve rapidly. A surge in startups and direct‑to‑consumer brands brought with it a demand for multiple SKUs, shorter product cycles and smaller order quantities.

To address this shift, Scancode invested in the Domino N610i digital label press in 2025, its first digital press and a key addition to its hybrid production strategy. This is also the third Domino press installed in Gujarat.

‘We recognized the growing demand for digitally printed labels,’ Patel says. ‘With Domino, we are able to deliver faster, more flexible and high-quality labels.’

The press enables Scancode to efficiently produce short runs, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand labels, which
were previously uneconomical on flexo due to high setup times and plate costs.

New business opportunities

The investment is already opening new avenues for Scancode, unlocking sales opportunities and better serving customers seeking speed and flexibility.

The digital press also complements Scancode’s existing flexo capabilities, allowing the company to support customers throughout their growth journey, from short-run product launches to high-volume production.

The press enables Scancode to efficiently produce orders as small as 500 to 3,000 labels. These volumes were previously
difficult to justify using flexo technology. This capability is particularly relevant for fast-growing segments such as cosmetics and personal care, where brands often operate with batch sizes under 5,000 units and require frequent design iterations.

The company is currently producing approximately 25,000sqm a month on the Domino press, which operates at 600 DPI.

Importantly, Patel notes that digital is not a replacement for flexo, but a complementary technology. ‘Customers who start with digital for short runs can scale up to flexo as their volumes grow,’ he says.

The Domino press, with its UV inkjet capability and hybrid configuration, can integrate with pre- and post-processing modules for coating applications, enabling greater versatility on press.

Looking ahead

With a 6,000sqft facility, a growing team of around 25 employees and a portfolio of labels and flexible packaging, Scancode is now seeking further expansion.

The company is exploring new markets in the US and Canada, while also evaluating future investments in higher-resolution digital presses and offset printing for folding cartons.

‘At Scancode, our philosophy is very simple: understand customer needs, invest in the right technology and grow alongside our customers,’ Patel concludes. ‘Most importantly, we never say no to any customer.’

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