Breakthrough installation heralds new era for regional label sector as Jet Technologies delivers the one of the fastest inkjet label presses in the world to Marrickville convertor.
A long association between the two companies see the Truepress Jet L350UV, the flagship of the Screen labels narrow web range, become the powerhouse of a production line that includes a Smag E-Cut finisher supplied by Gulmen Engineering.
The investment comes after extensive compare and contrast research by Deane Sproule, managing director, DS Labels. “Over a year of research, we identified more than forty digital label presses from around twenty manufacturers, but were able to narrow this down to just a few over issues such as speed, local service, image quality and ability to print durable scuff-resistant labels on a wide range of self-adhesive stocks’” he said.
“After Jet Technologies put in the first Screen L350UV into its Demonstration Centre, we were able to see real label production on 35 locally-available stocks. This machine was in daily use and, as it settled in and the white ink option was added, it became clear to us that this was the best way forward in our digital strategy.
“Our company has always specialised in the production of labels requiring high quality with short lead times and in short runs if needed. Our short run work has been produced either on one of our letterpress machines or a small benchtop Rapid inkjet printer which, although very good, is limited where stocks are concerned.”
According to Jack Malki, managing director Jet Technologies, the deal was built on the back of years of dealing with Deane Sproule, managing director DS Labels supplying inks and consumables.
“We have a long association with D.S. Labels through our inks and consumables division and are extremely proud to be part of Deane’s digital strategy going forward. This has been a close collaboration of running tests, printing small live jobs for them, addressing questions and helping with the business model.
“We are confident that he has made the right decision and will see many new avenues for short and medium run label work emerge as a result.
“We received tremendous support from Screen GP Australia Managing Director Peter Scott and his team. The partnership enables us to deliver the latest technology with Screen’s support/service network around Australia and New Zealand. That is something we could not have achieved alone and provides tangible benefits to clients”.
D.S. Labels was established in July 1990 and is a medium sized family owned self-adhesive label printer situated in the industrial hub of Marrickville. Its origins go back further to when it was the self-adhesive Label section of D.S Printing, who was at the very start of the self-adhesive label revolution in the 1960’s when Avery Denison was brought to Australia. The company employs twelve people with an average service time of 15 years.
Jet Technologies and Screen have partnered in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia with success marketing Screens range of PlateRite FX series of Computer to Plate equipment for the production of Flexographic, Letterpress and Offset plate materials.