WESTERN CAPE-BASED Lebone Paarl Labels knows only too well what it takes to deliver pressure-sensitive labels of uncompromising quality and innovation to leading brand owners in the wine, cosmetics, petrochemical, food and beverage, craft beer, spirits and pharmaceutical sectors.
General manager Henk Jacobs explains that besides building a team of highly skilled, experienced and passionate individuals, the company invests in advanced printing and finishing systems and solutions to deliver the best results.
Four years on from the purchase of an HP Indigo 6800 digital label and packaging press, Lebone Paarl Labels has invested in an HP Indigo 6900 series press to capitalise on more opportunities to extend its overall print offering and develop fresh pressure-sensitive and shrink sleeve label as well as flexible packaging projects.
‘Since purchasing an HP Indigo 6800 in 2017, we have realised an average growth of 137% in digital production, with a balanced mix of existing customers and new business. This growth is being stimulated by a continued swing towards shorter, more customised print runs in select markets such as craft beer, wine and spirits, and a demand for quicker turnaround times in several FMCG streams, starting right from the quote request stage,’ Henk reports. ‘Furthermore, we’re finding that creative agencies are becoming more familiar with the many versatile applications that digital print can offer and utilising these in their final designs.’
Advanced technology and proven results
efore embarking on this second HP Indigo digital press installation, Henk and his team conducted a thorough survey of other potential digital print technologies and applications for sustained growth. ‘With our extended capacity needs, we also investigated alternative digital inkjet presses to determine the best like-for-like premium print quality to complement our existing printing systems,’ he remarks. ‘However, nothing matched up to the HP Indigo 6900’s print results, especially when it came to uncoated and specialised papers, which we utilise extensively for wine and spirits label market customers.’
arl Zerle, head of print at Kemtek Imaging Systems, the southern African distributor of HP Indigo presses, adds that the 6900 series’ superior technology delivers a digital colour printing process that matches the quality of gravure printing with the versatility of up to seven colours. This includes HP Indigo ElectroInk Silver for a metallic look and HP Indigo ElectroInk White for shrink sleeves. An inline spectrophotometer eliminates manual colour calibrations and adjustments for perfect colour from the first to the last label off the press.
Variable printing of elements such as text, images, barcodes, numbers and security features is also included on the press, as well as the proprietary HP SmartStream Designer Mosaic and Collage software that allows the press to create an infinite number of label designs with one ‘seed’ print file, without impacting productivity. ‘Commercially available worldwide, this game-changing software has assisted in breaking sales records for global brands such as Coca-Cola, Budweiser and Oreo,’ Carl enthuses. ‘In terms of its sustainability credentials, the HP Indigo 6900 digital press is manufactured carbon-neutral, offering reduced production waste, a takeback programme and energy efficiency. Certified with the Intertek Green Leaf Mark, the regenerated imaging oil system allows the press to be self-sustainable in imaging oil usage.’
Besides the impressive press capabilities, Henk cites the strong sales and service support provided by Kemtek Imaging Systems as a contributing factor for choosing HP Indigo. ‘We have an excellent working relationship with our local account manager, Pierre Driver, and the national Kemtek team. As expected from a leading local supplier, this team understands our market needs and adds value with regular maintenance and operator training, business development workshops and more.
‘We’re excited to showcase our technologies and applications. Once we have navigated our way through the tougher Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, we look forward to inviting brand owners and design agencies to meet with us one-on-one in an interactive print environment at our Paarl production facility. We have been putting the HP Indigo 6900 and finishing technologies through their paces with the production of a self-promotional label, and we can’t wait to share this in a new company video, to be released soon,’ declares Henk.
‘Spotlighting brands through the delivery of exceptionally finished pressure-sensitive labels is at the core of what we offer. Our approach is to give every job personal attention and to push the boundaries of technology to raise the bar in label production,’ he concludes.
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