Marine Immersion Labels – Passed with flying colours!

The Compress LP4 digital label printer has passed the new Marine Immersion labels regulations

The label machinery industry is incredibly dynamic; digital label machinery has the ability to adapt to fit various industry rules and regulations, and marine immersion labels are no exception. These labels are typically used for identification, warning and instruction applied to products containing chemicals.

The Compress LP4 digital label printer, utilising standard Oki toners has recently passed one of the most strict regulations to hit them market, the Marine Immersion Labels specification BS 5609. This regulation is put in place to guarantee that labels can be used in harsh environments. For example, containers going across sea need to ensure that the information on the marine immersion label will remain visible and not fade or become illegible. Labels are tested vigorously by an independent agency who are there to assure the customer that they will receive the very best quality durable label.

The Compress LP4 printer has produced labels that have passed these tests without problems, as the dry toner ink and quality print heads guarantee the most durable print. Label producers can be confident that this small footprint label printer is of the best quality and will be able to produce the most durable, effective label to comply with. The team at ITE are always looking for products that not only provide a quality finish but also produce prints that are fit for purpose – in this case, our labels will stand the harshest of conditions.  So whether you are printing your own labels in-house or whether you are a trade printer that is looking to expand your digital label reach, the Compress LP4 could be the printer choice for you.

What is the Compress LP4 Digital Label Printer?

The Compress LP4 is a compact dry toner printer which is able to print a crisp label utilising a 600 x 1200 dpi resolution. This combined with a 9.14m per minute print speed will not only provide you will receive a high-quality print but it will meet almost any demand with ease. Ideal for both label printing companies and commercial use, the LP4 beats all competitors at this price point.

Overall we believe that it’s a necessity to keep our machines meeting the relevant industry standards and our mission always has been and always will be to make sure we select products that are at the forefront of innovation, whilst being mindful of value for money and true return on investment.

If you have any questions about marine immersion labels or the Compress digital label printer, please don’t hesitate to contact us – perhaps you would like to pop down to our Mansfield-based showroom or contact us online for a demonstration via webinar.

Redfern Marking Lock Out Competition with the Compress iUV600s

Redfern Marking Services Grow their business with a Compress UV Direct-to-Object Printing Solution

The Walsall based trade printer of business gifts and promotional items invest in UV LED printing to add to their existing screen, textile and pad printing capabilities with the Compress iUV 600s LED flatbed printer. The machine, which has the potential to pay for itself in less than 12 months was supplied by Impression Technology Europe (ITE). Currently Redfern are generating a substantial amount of new business with improved profitability for every £500 spent on the machine’s Capex.

Redfern Marking Services have been in operation since 1984. A trade printer well known for their expertise, Redfern offer overprinting on a multitude of products that are sold through the business gift and promotional items industry. Orders can be as small as a few units or as large as tens of thousands to suit client’s requirements.

Managing Director Ken Tansey took over the firm in 2014 and began reinvestment following the global recession. Machine refurbishment, IT Upgrades and now digital technology have contributed to the revitalisation of the company.

L-R Shaun Darby & Ken Tansey

 

Historically Redfern have offered screen and tampo printing for promotional objects. Whilst still appropriate for a variety of applications these methods are becoming fast outdated; they have limitations such as the inability to print on to some uneven plastic surfaces as well as only being able to print one item at a time using only spot colours.

Ken told us: “Since I took over the company it’s been my constant mission to keep us at the forefront of the market which includes advancements in technology. I met Impression Technology Europe at the Printwear and Promotion show and when I saw their Compress range I was convinced this was the way forward; we selected the Compress iUV 600s. After a demonstration I knew that these machines could achieve a print on to many surfaces including those which are uneven in a way that no other method could, as well as being able to print many items at once; I saw how we could grow the business by being able to offer many more applications than we could previously. It has paid off already and we’ve only had the machine five months”

Innovative lock cover designs

Ken, along with his colleague Shaun thoroughly researched the UV printers and solution providers on the market. Ken told us: “This was a significant investment for us, so I wanted to make sure it was right. The Compress unit stood out because it offered some very key features for us; it has a larger print space, a higher bed size and it’s an enclosed machine so we don’t have any issues with dust. It comes with not one but two pieces of pioneering UV printing technology. UV Wave Dot Imaging is unique to Compress and the option of uni or bi-directional printing will drastically reduce banding whilst also vastly increasing print speed. It also has a WIMS White Ink Management System. White ink management traditionally requires a large amount of maintenance and upkeep due to the density and heavy consistency of the ink itself; traditionally the consistency of white ink may lead to the ink clogging up the equipment resulting in the machine breaking or performing at a low standard creating inconsistent designs and prints. WIMS prevents this happening.”

Consistent print on the Compress iUV

 

Genuine cost savings per print & return on investment

Ken continued: “Critically though, the Compress machine offered a much more cost effective bulk ink system in bottles rather than cartridges; estimated to be around 30% saving with absolutely no impact on quality with its 2880 DPI. Digital is the future, it’s as simple as that.

ITE installed the unit for us and after a satisfactory training programme Redfern were
up and running and have already fulfilled many orders. We’re constantly amazed at how it can print such a range of images and items to such a high quality and so easily. This machine can print onto uneven surfaces that previously proved problematic. For example a new client presented us with touchpad lock covers to be branded. The print area was uneven and concave in places and the flatbed digital  printer was the only equipment we had to handle this properly. The touchpad project has enhanced our capability.“

Operator using the machine

Typical products that Redfern print on to using Compress UV:

Pens, Pencils, Crayon packs, Notebooks, Erasers, Rulers, Highlighters, Golf items, Bank card holders and now lock covers. Examples of which can be seen on our website.

About Compress UV LED flat bed printers

Compress UV LED flat bed printers are a key technology in the direct-to-object printing arena. They are cost effective and on-demand, meaning that one off personalisation prints are as profitable and accessible as hundreds of thousands. The marketplace is endless as regards to what you can print on. Contact us for ideas or more information about how you can take advantage of this amazing technology and grow your business by printing on to more than ever before at a better quality with better profit.

Compare other models against the Compress UV LED 600s here with this handy chart

Click Here to book yourself a demo on the Compress iUV-600s and see how it can improve your business.

 

 

 

Compress iUV-600s

 

ITE and Epson: Helping you with your pre-Christmas label needs

ITE and Epson link up to offer you two of the best deals money can buy.

Here at ITE we understand both the need for short run label printers alongside higher production rate machines. That’s why we introduced the Epson range to so we can meet the demand for short run whilst not compromising on quality.

Our first of two offers are in place for anybody that has a medium to low demand for labels and wants a reliable quality print. The Epson C3500 allows up to 104mm per minute printing at a 720 x 360 dpi to produce a steady quality print.

The start-up deal. With our Epson C3500 we will add a full set of label inks alongside a maintenance tank free, securing your ability to print for time to come.  That’s over £80 worth of products completely free, you’ll  be up and running in no time at all.

What does the Epson C7500g offer? The Epson C7500G is a faster larger machine with capabilities of over double of the C3500 at 300mm per minute output. This is ideal for companies that need fast production to meet almost any level of demand.

A service to you. For a limited time only the C7500g will come with a free 3 years on site servicing. That’s 3 years servicing from our highly trained technicians so that you not only receive a quality product but you have the assurance that any problems will be dealt with for years to come.

Both of these machines offer a wide variety of advantages to any production chain that uses label printers. What advantages will Epson printers offer? They allow for, customisation, a
shorter production chain and production costs that aren’t reliant on a high order quantity.

So, if you are outsourcing your labels or just want something more reliable give ITE a call to get a deal that simply can’t be matched

In house VS outsourcing what is the best label printing for your company?

We pitch two label printing methods against each other to see which one has the most advantages for your company.

Companies that  meet a certain criteria with a medium level of demand for labels for their branded products, but not enough to warrant a full traditional flexographic printing operation can find themselves in somewhat of a niche. This is where the vast majority of demand of outsourcing labelling services originates from.  However recently the trend is turning to an alternative direction with firms of many sizes opting for in-house printing options.

Generally one of the biggest initial decisional factors on whether a firm chooses in-house label printing or outsourcing their labelling needs would be the financial impact it would save on their business. A quality flexographic machine could cost tens of thousands of pounds which for most companies this is just not feasible or necessary. This then leads companies to outsource their labelling needs to a flexographic label printing company.  However recently another type of printing has become more attainable for smaller companies … enter digital ‘short run’ label printers. Not only is the initial investment much more affordable but the cost per print is extremely low. After doing the maths, most clients will find it will be much more cost effective than outsourcing and based on the output, more economical than a flexo printer.

Another point which is useful to compare are the stages that are i

 

nvolved in each of these label printing methods and how time consuming it would be for your company.  Outsourcing labels can comprise of up to 15 stages which includes quality control and transit stages which can cause stoppages and delays.  In-house label printing on the other hand can save valuable time as the stages can be narrowed down to five as a minimum, depending on your business processes and requirements.  This time saved will be reflected in profit for each product; which could outweigh the initial investment and deliver an extremely attractive return on investment.

Outsourcing your labels can be relatively un-agile because once the product is purchased the label company will not be able to change or make any amendments as soon as the design is in production. In contrast to this, the in house label printing method is extremely flexible, allowing not only a change of production instantly but also the power to personalise the labels for each customer. This may seem like a small difference but when seasonal or special events occur being able to offer this service can drastically increase sales and customer retention. In addition, what about the ability to test new product label designs in-line to see what they look like once on the product – powerful.

Overall we believe for a company that needs labelling, in-house label printers offer freedom and control that can really impact on product sales.  For more information on the in-house label printers we offer, and details about our installation and training, contact us on +44 (0)1623 861173 or via email at info@impressiontechnologyeurope.com We have a fully stocked showroom and would be more than happy to demonstrate either on-line or in person!

Top Ten Benefits of Printing your Own Labels In-House

 

Just 10 of the reasons why in-house digital label printing can change your company!

Here at ITE we understand that investing in a new technology can be a leap of faith so we have devised a list demonstrating why investing in a digital label printer will be an improvement for your company. This list is comprised of the top 10 benefits of the technology and should display how it increases efficiency, quality and usability:

1. You will save time and money on the transit between your company and the outsourced label company.
2. Lower printing costs to a point where you could have short run seasonal labels without any additional cost.
3. Print labels as needed with an ability to adjust for any spikes or dips in demand.
4. Control the whole production process from start to finish which reduces the chance of any outside influences on the production chain.
5. Use a central database for your labelling allowing for you to locate and instantly print any previous designs.
6. Can colour code products increasing organisation without the need to have separate orders.
7. If you previously outsource, owning a machine can allow you to not only reduce costs for yourself but open another revenue stream providing a labelling service to other companies.
8. You can easily customize your labels making it more personal to the customer such as the ‘share with a friend’ Coca Cola campaign.
9. Ability to print a wider variety of products due to how digital printing uses CMYK inks over RGB.
10. Reduce inventory costs and can introduce a just in time production based on product demand.

So with this list you can see that to invest in a digital label printer can really improve your production line leading a more fluid process and quicker turnover.

If you would like to hear any more of the many reasons why digital printing can improve your brand please give one of our helpful sales agents a call on: +44 (0)1623 861173

WIMS – White Ink Management – the Future of Digital Printing

An introduction into the benefits of the WIMS system and how it will change the way you print.

Since the beginning of Direct to Garment (DTG) it has been necessary to perform two passes of print; one to layer the white, and the next to add detail and colour. This process has been viewed as cumbersome and unnecessary, at DTG Digital headquarters which is why we have researched and perfected the new WIMS process which is revolutionising the way we view digital printing.

White ink management traditionally requires a large amount of maintenance and upkeep due to the density and heavy consistency of the ink itself. Traditionally the consistency of white ink may lead to the ink clogging up equipment resulting in the machine breaking or performing at a subpar standard creating inconsistent designs and prints.

The DTG Digital WIMS system dramatically reduces the chance of this happening due to Key features such as a Flow & Return Pipe, Hart rhythm style ink agitation pump which keeps the flow consistent, inline ink filter to remove any air bubbles and the pressure release dampers and manifold.

This inline pressurised pump/agitation and ink air filter technology is the solution to an industry problem which has allowed DTG Digital printers to be industry pioneers in Direct to Garment arena. The one pass system incorporates the WIMS to provide customers with a service that is one of a kind and will drastically improve efficiency whilst reducing maintenance costs and increasing Printable quality. Combining WIMS and one pass allows greater opacity in white and an increase in production rate of up to 25% whilst maintaining quality white ink distribution.

How does this affect my company?

First of all we understand that if you’re a garment printing company reliability is the key to success. When the orders come in thick and fast the last thing you would need is anything going wrong with your machine, bringing production to a halt. WIMS will not only reduce the chance of a breakage but due to the interior systems of the machine it will make sure that the correct amount of ink is released every time. This saving in maintenance costs and reduction of delays in the production line will not only save you costs but also show your customers that your products are the most reliable choice.

Contact us for more information on WIMS below

Info@impressiontechnologyeurope.com

T: +44 (0)1623 861 173

A Comparison Between DTG Digital Printing and Screen Printing: Invest in the Future

comparison on the effectiveness of Direct to Garment (DTG) printing and screen printing.

As the garment printing market is continuously growing and developing it becomes increasingly important to maintain your competitive edge. The key to competing in this market is having the most innovative and advanced hardware which will allow you to maintain low costs, high production rate and the best quality of product. I will be comparing two of the most successful methods of printing garments to see which one will offer the best value for money.

First of all we need to consider the early stages of the production process and how this affects the print.  The beginning of the production process really highlights the differences in the methods that are consistent throughout the production process. The DTG digital printer allows for a fast start up as the producer needs only to load the machine with their desired size of fabric then upload the choices of design to the software in preparation for the print.  Screen printing requires the customization via UV lights to change the screen for every colour that is required. This process for screen printing is necessary for every colour that is used during the printing process.

Alongside the set-up differences the actual printing time differs greatly also. In screen printing if the print needs more than one colour the producer will need to wait for the products to dry before the next is added. The valuable time used during this process can massively delay the production line and lead to hold ups in certain processes. In contrast the One Pass system offered via DTG allows for both the white ink and any colours to be applied in one print pass.  During an order of large quantities the DTG digital printer can save a large amount of time that otherwise would have been used for drying. This allows a fluid production chain from printing to packaging.

A summary of the Pros and Cons of the two printing styles:

DTG Series

PROs	CONs
Fast and reliable	Slower Printing times than Screen printer
One Pass Print System
White ink management system
Easy set up
Print Any colour from any design! Full all over body printing Over embellish with Rhine stones or Sequin’s

 

Screen Printing

PROs	CONS
Fast at single colour prints	Messy
Print on any size fabric	Have to create the screens
	Needs to be Flash cured between multiple colours
	Limited to set colour process printing Cannot do Full colour Full colour Printing Cannot over embellish with Rhine stones / sequins

 

These two types of print are both effective in their own right but investing in a DTG Digital is investing in the future where the options you will have for garment printing is boundless.

 

T: +44 (0)1623 861 173

reception@impressiontechnologyeurope.com