200 million digital labels per month – new record

Worldwide users of HP Indigo’s WS6000 press collectively surpassed 200 million impressions in August, raising the bar on monthly production of labels and packaging.

According to the VP of HP’s Indigo division, Alon Bar-Shany, this new single-month record reveals the increasing demand for digital production in the packaging industry. “The HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press helps customers be more competitive in a very challenging economic environment.

“The value our customers gain with its productivity and quality is shifting more labels and packaging production from analog to digital systems and creating new opportunities for our customers to grow their businesses,” he says.

The monthly production record ties with the launch of the next generation Indigo models that will be showcased at the upcoming LabelExpo Europe. The new WS6600 press is capable of printing more than 40 meters per minute in full colour, eclipsing its predecessor’s 30 meters.

HP is also introducing an entry-level solution for digital labels, the HP Indigo WS4600 Digital Press, which can run 21 meters per minute in full colour.

Shane Lucas, director of graphic arts at HP South Pacific, says this year has seen the tenth installation of a WS6000 into Australia and New Zealand, with three sites already running second presses.

“Feedback from customers, agencies and consumers has been very positive. We are seeing large print volumes from the growth in digital in the areas of labels, flexible packaging and folding cartons on these machines,” he says.