Three Mark Andy hybrid presses fuel MD Labels’ explosive growth

MD Labels began its journey in 2016 in one of Poland’s oldest cities, Kalisz, with a simple but ambitious goal: combining traditional craftsmanship with the latest digital technology to create high-quality labels. What started as a small business producing self-adhesive labels for local customers quickly grew into something much bigger.

‘We started out with standard blank, white self-adhesive labels, but we knew that wasn’t where we wanted to stop,’ says Marcin Jasiński, co-owner of MD Labels. ‘Not long after, we invested in our first flexo press for full-color work, but we also closely watched what was happening in the market. We listened to our customers and watched demand grow. Before we knew it, we’d reached the point where we needed to take the next step — going digital.’

That next step came unexpectedly, through social media. Jasinski first came across Mark Andy’s hybrid printing technology in an online ad, which led him to explore the possibilities further.

‘At first, we were quite interested in the Digital One press,’ Jasiński explains. ‘But everything changed when we visited Mark Andy’s demo center in Warsaw and saw the machines in action. After learning more about what each press could do, we realized that the Digital Series was the smartest investment possible. It wasn’t just about what we needed at that moment. It was about where we wanted to be in the future. And the Digital Series had the flexibility and potential to get there.’

Turbocharged growth with hybrid technology

The first MD Labels’ Digital Series press configuration included an extended range of finishing options beyond the basic version. It incorporated varnishing, pattern varnishing, lamination, cold stamping and die-cutting units, all in a single pass. This setup allowed the company to offer a new spectrum of decorative and finishing capabilities without limitations.

‘Our customers wanted shorter print runs, multiple SKUs of the same label and more embellishment options, while maintaining top-quality results,’ says Jasiński. ‘One of the biggest benefits of hybrid technology is its variable data printing (VDP) capability. With the Digital Series press, we could produce around 15 to 20 variations of the same label within a single job. This was previously out of our reach due to high costs. This technology made job changes instant, allowing us to efficiently produce multiple label variations without expensive setup adjustments.’

“Investing in the first Digital Series press was a game-changer for us. It was one of the first Mark Andy digital presses installed in Poland”

Dominik Głowacki, co-owner of MD Labels, shares: ‘Investing in the first Digital Series press was a game-changer for us. It was one of the first Mark Andy digital presses installed in Poland. It gave us the flexibility and efficiency we needed to take our label production to the next level.’

According to Jasiński, when MD Labels installed the press, the orders started flooding in: ‘It was like an avalanche.’

The investment quickly paid off, driving rapid growth. Within a few years, the company nearly doubled its customer base and increased its workforce by 500 percent.

‘We’ve expanded fast, growing our team fivefold in just a few years to keep up with demand,’ confirms Głowacki. ‘But it wasn’t just about the technology and business growth. This investment helped us build a strong partnership with Mark Andy, which has played a huge role in our success. Mark Andy’s service team has been a huge support for us, not just during training and after each press purchase, but also in our day-to-day operations with the hybrid presses.’

With business booming, expansion was the only way forward for MD Labels. In 2022, the company doubled its production and office space to keep up with demand and make room for another press. For Jasiński and Głowacki, there was never any doubt about which press to choose. It wasn’t just about the technology, though that was crucial, but also about the strong partnership they had built with Mark Andy and its team.

‘When we started looking for a new press, we knew we needed something that would boost efficiency, quality and profitability, the things every print shop relies on,’ recalls Jasiński. ‘But we also wanted to create labels that really stand out, with embellishment, die-cutting and laminating all done in one pass. The Mark Andy Digital Series HD checked all the boxes.’

Digital Series HD arrives in Kalisz

The Digital Series HD offered MD Labels expanded production capabilities with a wider color gamut (CMYK + OVG) and a high-pigment white ink that delivered effects similar to rotary screen printing.

According to the company owners, one of the significant advantages of this model is that applying white ink doesn’t slow the press down.

Mark Andy notes that its white ink offers three times the opacity of standard flexo ink (at 80 percent coverage), while the 1,200 DPI printhead technology ensures sharp, high-quality results. The press can be configured with five to eight digital inkjet units and upgraded with in-line or near-line finishing and embellishment options.

For its setup, MD Labels went with five digital units (W + CMYK), six flexo stations, two cold foil and lamination units and the ability to print on the adhesive side. This allowed the company to produce peel-off multilayer labels. The system also featured a QCDC die-cutting module, which allowed dies to be loaded, automatically registered with servo technology, and quickly run full production.

‘This press has given us so much more flexibility and allowed us to really step up our production capacity, all while cutting delivery times,’ says Głowacki. ‘Since bringing in the Digital Series HD, we left many of our old production challenges behind. We could run our jobs with much less hassle and get labels out the door twice as fast, without sacrificing quality.’

Łukasz Chruśliński, European sales manager at Mark Andy, adds: ‘MD Labels is another great example of a company here in Poland that has embraced the Digital Series HD. In fact, at that time, it was the only one in the country running two Mark Andy hybrid presses in its production hall, which is something we were really proud of. The rapid growth and strong partnership with Mark Andy are incredibly rewarding for us. As a full-service provider, we aim to help our customers thrive in a competitive market. Our press and its capabilities play a key role in that, giving printers the tools they need to stay ahead.

‘MD Labels truly understands the market and what its customers want. At the same time, we at Mark Andy are fully committed to supporting the team, helping it bring its vision to life and keep pushing forward.’

Strength in threes

Once again, Mark Andy’s hybrid press technology has been a catalyst for MD Labels’ rapid success, attracting new business and driving a surge in demand. Growth came so fast that the company had to rethink its production capacity.

Of course, Jasiński and Głowacki returned to their trusted press partner to scale up operations. Just two years after adding a second Mark Andy press, MD Labels made history as the first converter in Europe to install three Digital Series presses.

“When MD Labels installed the press, the orders started flooding in: It was like an avalanche”

‘These presses are exactly what we need to keep up with the ever-changing market,’ says Jasiński. ‘Consumers today want high-quality, personalized products at competitive prices. At the same time, there’s a growing demand for shorter print runs and multiple label variations for the same product. With Mark Andy presses, we have the right technology to handle these challenges.’

Jasiński highlights the versatility of the Mark Andy Digital Series, emphasizing its ability to handle multicolor printing, including white, along with VDP and versioning. This flexibility allows MD Labels to produce premium labels with intricate embellishments, metallic finishes, transparency effects and decorative paper applications. Whether it’s a single copy or a short- to mid-run job, the press delivers high-quality results tailored to the evolving market needs.

Chruśliński emphasizes the impact of digital technology in label production: ‘Digital technology in label production brings huge opportunities for food and other industries, especially in a rapidly evolving market environment. MD Labels is a prime example of how investing in the right equipment can drive success.’

With three hybrid presses in operation, MD Labels has expanded its ability to produce high-quality labels with intricate embellishments while improving efficiency and cutting setup times. This has made handling complex designs and shorter production runs easier without compromising on quality. The added capabilities also position the company to serve premium markets such as cosmetics, spirits and high-end specialty foods, where standout packaging plays a key role in brand recognition.

Staying ahead of the curve

Despite economic uncertainties in Europe, MD Labels remains optimistic about the future.

‘We’re always prepared to tackle complex jobs, whether short-run for a niche brand or a high-end, embellished label for the premium sector,’ says Jasinski. ‘Our success is tied to the success of our customers, and we’re committed to providing them with the best possible product.’

MD Labels is always looking for new ways to expand its digital printing capabilities. It is experimenting with high-end decorative labels that feature textured varnishes, metallic effects and multilayer designs. At the same time, the team is expanding into new areas like flexible packaging and sustainable labeling, responding to the changing needs of customers and the market.

With digital printing technology evolving, MD Labels is closely monitoring improvements in ink formulations, faster printing speeds and more sustainable production methods. As demand for eco-friendly packaging grows, the company is making it a priority to offer labels that align with these expectations, ensuring it stays ahead of industry trends.

Tom Cavalco, executive vice president of Mark Andy, has seen firsthand how MD Labels has grown and adapted. ‘It’s always great to see a company with a strong vision take off. As an equipment provider, we naturally become part of our customers’ journey, and watching MD Labels expand so quickly has been incredibly rewarding. Having the right tools and a clear direction makes all the difference in a competitive market.’