ITW Labels, a labeling and branding solutions expert based out of St. Charles, Missouri, USA, with four production facilities across North America, has invested in a Mark Andy Digital Series hybrid press to support its labels and packaging production. The company plans to capitalize on the productivity benefits of inline hybrid print workflows to optimize the production of a full range of labels including prime custom, variable data, durable, and more.

With legacy experience in both UV inkjet digital and flexo printing, ITW Labels is well versed in the value each technology offers to support variable run sizes, decoration options, and color management. The company, though, needed increased productivity to support augmented current demand and strategic growth plans. During the search for new equipment, the Mark Andy Digital Series hybrid printing solution became a candidate for consideration.

Operators of the Mark Andy Digital Series press are able to manage all aspects of the press from a single, integrated control center. 

“We were looking for a solution to support our developing book of business while refreshing our existing pressroom lineup at the same time,” says Brad Shuff, Division Operations Manager, ITW Labels. “We expect the Digital Series to support that effort with high-speed UV inkjet digital printing combined with high-productivity flexo printing and decorating. This new inline hybrid workflow affords us the option of shifting work from other equipment, resulting in productivity gains.”

Press operator at ITW Labels manages production on the Mark Andy Digital Series press. 

Quality and color management were also major considerations for ITW when evaluating new technologies. Their search had been targeted to digital options offering 6 or 7-color gamut capabilities. “We needed to be sure the press was going to support all the colors demanded by our customers,” added Shuff. “Press demonstrations at Mark Andy proved that the CMYK+W gamut supported by the Digital Series print engine more than satisfied our requirements, and we had the added benefit of additional flexo stations to hit even more colors, or add high-impact decoration if required.”

Product coming off the Mark Andy Digital Series hybrid press at ITW Labels.

“We are proud to partner with ITW at this exciting time in their 110-year history,” states Steve Schulte, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mark Andy. “We are confident the Digital Series is configured to support their business now and provides the flexibility to fully manage future growth and advancement.”

Currently, the 13 inch (330mm) Mark Andy Digital Series, which runs quality product consistently at speeds of 240 ft/min, is equipped with three flexo stations. ITW has experienced some of the promised productivity from the hybrid solution since installation in the first quarter of 2017 and is already entertaining the option of adding inline converting to the press. Historically making use of offline finishing solutions for their digitally printed material, ITW is experiencing higher-speed production off the digital/flexo hybrid solution, and as a result, will be evaluating the added value of inline die-cutting. The modularity of the Digital Series solution provides that flexibility to upgrade the platform as needs change.