Label printing presses are designed and engineered to last, which is one of the reasons they deliver such an impressive lifetime ROI. For high-volume textile label printing businesses, therefore, it’s tempting to stick with the assets you have. If the equipment is working as intended, then why outlay the large upfront cost for a new press?
In this article, we will look at the evolution of textile label printing and how your business stands to benefit from investing in the latest technologies.Textile Label Printing: How It Has Evolved And Changed
Textile label printing has come a long way from its humble beginnings during the Industrial Revolution. Traditionally, textile labels were produced using screen printing, which was a highly labour-intensive manual process. This complex and resource-hungry method eventually struggled to meet the growing demand for higher-quality and durable labels that could withstand repeated washing and water exposure. Offset and flexographic printing were developed in the 1970s to improve production speed and consistency, but even these methods have their limits. That original flexographic printing Press is not well suited for short production runs of today or intricate textile label designs, and does not always accommodate the modern consumer demand for more customised and environmentally friendly products.
Modern design presses designed & manufactured in Europe have taken a step forward. Shorter production runs can be produced economically. Jobs can be changed quickly and easily, with less operator skill required. The new technology has been designed to take advantage of the improved quality that can be achieved.
To keep pace with market demand and changing technologies, a growing number of textile label printing businesses are investing in faster, more adaptable, and sustainable approaches to print technology. Mixing Traditional & new Digital production where appropriate.
The Modern Revolution In Textile Label Printing
A variety of modern digital and hybrid advancements have transformed the way that businesses produce textile labels, with some of the most important innovations being:
1. Digital And Hybrid Printing Presses:
By eliminating the need for physical plates, digital printing gives businesses greater versatility and precision over the way they produce labels. For example, a digital press allows you to create intricate designs at a lower cost, print smaller batches, and reduce lead times. This gives your customers access to custom labels without committing to large print runs, helping you to diversify your market and increase your competitiveness.
2. Eco-Friendly Printing:
Developments in sustainable inks, substrates, and energy-efficient printing processes have allowed businesses to produce high quality textile labels with minimal environmental impact. These eco-friendly products not only look good but also come with reduced production overheads, increasing margins for printing businesses compared to older technologies.
3. Automation And Smart Technology:
Today’s generation of printing presses are designed to integrate with a variety of manufacturing software and hardware. As part of a broader ecosystem that encompasses textile label production from design to logistics, modern machinery can handle everything from loading materials to quality assurance checks, with less human intervention (and cost) than previously. At the same time, your label printing data can sync with inventory systems, production schedules, and even customer management tools for faster turnaround times and better coordination between parts of the supply chain.
Find Out More
Get in touch with Focus Label today to find out more about our cutting-edge textile label printing presses and how they can deliver enhanced value for your customers and productivity for your business.
Image source: Canva
