The Label Makers increases workflow efficiency with Dantex digital imaging technology

The Dantex Star Plate, which fully integrates with The Label Makers’ Esko system, is a digital imaging option designed for direct inkjet to film, with the ability to output positive and negative films whilst offering imaging from solids up to high quality halftone screening.

Utilizing the Actual Dot analytical engine, the system analyses and reproduces the dots of the RIPped 1- bit data and enables The Label Makers to output high quality films to produce screen and letterpress plates. Dantex also supplies The Label Makers with Torelief letterpress printing plates.

The Star Plate package further includes a CTF 610 – a 24in-wide printer featuring the latest generation of printheads and delivering a 3.5 pico liter minimum droplet. Alongside Star Plate software, the CTF delivers an inkjet to film option claimed to be ‘unrivalled in terms of speed and quality’.

The Label Makers said the move to inkjet imaging increases its capability to respond increasing customer demand for advanced embellishment options.

Robert Norton, origination manager at The Label Makers, said: ‘We have worked with Dantex for over 20 years and it has excellent knowledge of the Esko system that we were looking to integrate with. The integration works seamlessly and has the added benefit of enabling jobs to be queued and released when the plate is required, thereby optimizing workflow. The Star Plate digital imaging solution was more cost effective than a replacement imagesetter and being located in a studio not having to dispose of the chemicals offers a practical, cost and environmental benefit.’

The Label Makers sales director Kevin Lyons added: ‘With over 30 percent of our labels having embellishments, we needed the ability to offer our customers a range of emboss, silk screen and hot foiling options. We have a good presence in the high-end wines and spirit market, where we are seeing rapid growth in the super-premium segment - we create a new gin label every three weeks.

‘Product differentiation remains key for brands with the challenge being keeping one step ahead and delivering maximum shelf stand-out. A fine example of this being a recent label for ASDA Wines’ Kakapo wine, where embossing techniques used fully complement the allure and quality of the product, thereby maximizing consumer appeal.

‘We operate in a discerning marketplace, with customers who expect the very best - Dantex’s solution fully meets those demands.’