US printer Impression Label has added its first inkjet-flexo hybrid press – a Digital Series iQ (DSiQ) from Mark Andy – looking to alleviate pressure on its flexo presses and meet what it says is explosive customer demand for shorter lead times and mid-volume production.
The hybrid press joins an array of firepower that includes five flexo presses from seven to 17 inches wide, and two Mark Andy Digital Pro toner-based digital systems. Even with such printing capacity to hand, Impression is under pressure, it seems
“We’re buried,” said Marco De La Vega, who runs the business with his brother Christian and their mother Luly Solis, who purchased the company in 2008. “This new Mark Andy press will give us the ability to get back to our roots: fastest turnarounds, highest quality, and best pricing. It will also open up capacity on our flexo assets, which are currently running massive volumes.”
A major factor in the company’s decision to invest in the DSiQ was the unpredictable ordering patterns of its largest customer, ranging from 1,600 labels to 1.6 million, all for the same product. Marco De La Vega explained: “I received an email from them recently asking for a quarter of a million labels in two weeks’ time. They ordered 20 rolls only a month ago, it’s just the nature of their business and their demand.”
The DSiQ at Impression Label has four flexo stations – two before and two after the inkjet engine – along with lamination, turn bars, and full rotary die-cutting. It is intended that the new hybrid press will fill a gap between the flexo and toner machines, handling the 10,000 to 100,000 label volume range. By taking mid-range work away from the flexo presses, it will free up both capacity and personnel for complex, high volume production.
“This new press enables us to lay down primer, add a spot colour like a custom metallic, print opaque white and CMYK digitally, and then finish entirely inline. The result is a more streamlined, end‑to‑end process that reduces setup times and waste,” said Marco De La Vega. Impression Label said it is already looking further ahead, considering investing in a second Mark Andy DSiQ, as well as potential targeted acquisitions.