The Label Printing Blog

Photograph: The eFlex Machine

The label that manufacturers place on their products is often the first thing that is seen by customers and is key to driving sales. With this in mind manufacturers are demanding the best quality labels from label printing companies. From a label printer’s perspective it is important to invest in the right equipment to create the high-quality striking labels that your customers will need. Having the right combination of equipment and software is essential to putting your business at the top of the label printing chain.

At Focus Label Machinery we specialise in the design, manufacture and supply of flexographic printing presses to the commercial printing industry. Our printing presses are manufactured in the United Kingdom to the highest international specifications and standards and offer customers superior quality printing and efficiency. We offer our customers a full-service solution providing advice, training and machinery required for label printing.

According to the Health & Safety Executive, the printing industry has a relatively high incidence of machinery-related accidents. The majority of printing machine accidents occurs while preparing, or making ready, or cleaning the machinery, while freeing blockages also accounts for a significant percentage. However, by choosing the right machine for the job, training employees to safeguard themselves and taking basic safety precautions, common hazards can be avoided.

The worldwide switch to digital is in full flow. Even flexographic printing machines – the stalwart and reliable
workhorses of the packaging industry – have been given a 21st Century makeover in the latest generation of hybrid presses. However, when moving forwards, it helps to have the information to make good investment choices. Today, we answer four of the most frequently asked questions about balancing quality and cost in digital upgrades.

Making a business investment in flexographic printing equipment is not a decision to be made overnight. In general, companies don't invest in new kit unless it is necessary, so it can sometimes be a challenge to persuade directors/shareholders to release the capital. However, the technological changes that have taken place in flexo machines over recent years make a compelling business case for not delaying your investment.

2017 has been a hectic and interesting year for the labels/Packaging and textile label printing business. Trends have developed and a lot has changed, often in surprising directions. The long heralded decline of flexographic printing has not only failed to materialise, but the opposite has in fact occurred. Wedded to digital printing technologies in a new generation of hybrid printing presses, flexographic methodologies and technologies are still going strong – offering unparalleled flexibility and productivity to enterprising businesses. Whatever else can be said of this year, whether uncertainty in the market due to Brexit, fluctuating currency prices, and pressure from Chinese manufacturers; it is the companies who have been bold enough to invest in new technological solutions that have reaped the most benefit from these changes.