Short run pre-coated substrates from Baker with new Digicoat

AB Graphic International has supplied Baker Self Adhesive Label Company Ltd. with an Omega Digicoat 330 coating system. This follows the earlier installation of an Omega Digicon HS converting line including an HP ws4050 digital print engine. 

Commenting on the Omega Digicoat investment, Mr Steve Baker, managing director stated: ‘We are one of the most experienced independent label companies, established more than three decades ago and we know that to continue to offer our customers the value and service they expect, it is necessary to always be searching for new technologies. The Omega Digicoat, fitted with a corona treater, enables us to pre-coat just about every substrate now available, prior to digital printing.  We believe we have closed the loop in the fast growing digital sphere.’

‘The Omega Digicoat opens up a variety of opportunities for Baker. First, the Omega Digicoat compliments and supports the Omega Digicon providing us with a stand-alone production system. We are now an “HP Centre of Excellence” giving us the ability to supply HP specified materials to the trade.  We specialize in short run, high value work that our customers would pay a very high premium for from traditional coated substrate suppliers.  Therefore, our customers can be practically guaranteed our coated material will work well with their HP digital printers.  Further, we see the possibility of providing coated material to those HP users processing sheet fed jobs at an economical cost.’

At the heart of the machine is the coating system consisting of a flexographic printing station incorporating a quick change cassette system enabling the entire ink tray and ink train to be removed in seconds. The ink train consists of an ink tray, ceramic anilox roller, rubber meter roller and reverse angle doctor blade. Drying of the coating is via a hot blown air system.  Many optional extras are available with some comprising a corona discharge unit, electronic web guide, servo re-registration device, an air cooled UV curing system and an over laminating system.

Tony Bell, ABG sales director, said: ‘We have been impressed with the commitment and forward thinking Baker Self Adhesive Label Company has demonstrated by taking on the challenging task of implementing digital technology. This kind of thinking is necessary to stay ahead in a very competitive market.’