General Tape & Label installs HP Indigo ws4050

General Tape & Label has installed an HP Indigo ws4050 digital label press. Digital printing enables General Tape & Label to deliver high-value, full-color labels and flexible film packaging on demand, for short runs, on quick turnaround.

‘The efficiency of digital technology helps us to improve productivity, increase capacity, and save time,’ said company vice president Jack Hooker. ‘Today’s brands often require just-in-time and stockless supply chains to achieve the lowest total cost for packaging. The demand is increasing for label operations such as ours to accommodate digital jobs and on-the-fly changes. These demands are supported by digital workflows and digital printing, which help us to lower the total cost for packaging and to deliver value in ways never before possible.’

Hooker gives an example of a customer in the meat packing industry taking advantage of digital printing to expand its customer base. While they were previously selling their products exclusively to restaurants, now they are extending their distribution channel to direct consumer marketing.

‘Working with General Tape & Label, the meat packer is now able to label its products to catch the attention of supermarket shoppers in diverse neighborhoods. They can create cost-effective labels targeted to appeal to Polish or Hispanic community demographics, then create seasonal labels for Oktoberfest or sports events, if they choose,’ says Hooker.  ‘They are testing which flavors of sausage sell the best in what environments, and then ramping up production accordingly. The business application possibilities are virtually endless.’

Digital printing has also enabled General Tape & Label to improve the efficiency of its flexo operations, since jobs requiring costly flexo press change-overs are transferred to the HP Indigo digital press, freeing up the flexographic press to focus on the high-volume throughput for which it was built.