AB Graphic International Irish first with Digicon for Label Art

AB Graphic International has supplied its first Omega Digicon HS converting system for pre-printed webs to Dublin-based printers, Label Art Digital - a sister company of Label Art Ltd.

Supplied to work off-line with a ws4050 digital print engine from HP Indigo, the Omega Digicon HS is equipped with unwind unit with automatic tension control, semi-rotary hot foil stamping, flexographic print unit for UV curable varnishes and coatings and hot air system suitable for drying water-based primers and varnishes. The specification is completed with over laminating tower, semi rotary die cutting, waste matrix stripping, slitting/rewinding system and touch screen operator interface.

The demand for short run, high-quality labels led Label Art owners John Browne and Donal Healy to invest €1 million in expanding into the digital production of premium labels.

Managing director John Browne explained: ‘The digital revolution represents the future of labels, although traditional printing methods still have a role to play. One of the main advantages with digital processing is that it is ideal for short run work. You can personalize the labels and provide variable information on them while reducing stockholding as there is no need for bulk buying in order to reduce unit costs. Also, digital printing will reduce lead times as it can be produced straight from the artwork. Where digital can be really effective is in areas such as test marketing of new products or personalization of an existing product because every label in a print run can be unique. It can also handle jobs that require sequential numbering or jobs requiring security features such as microscopic print.’ 

Mark Hyde, AB Graphic International’s sales manager for Ireland, commented: ‘The Omega Digicon provides a versatile converting machine for digitally printed webs and is capable of working on or off-line. Servo driven web tension control permits a wide range of pre-printed substrates to be converted from self-adhesive labels to folding cartons, shrink films, in-mould labels and even novelty promotional items. The line can also be supplied with super-varnishing, daylight correction system, cold foil stamping and guillotine sheeter. We work in close cooperation with HP Indigo and have over 130 Digicons running with HP Indigo web stream presses in the field. We are delighted to have been the supplier of choice to Label Art with a first in Ireland for all concerned.’

Picture from left to right: John Browne, MD, and Donal Healy and Michael Aylward of Label Art with the Omega Digicon from AB Graphic International