Digitalization has had a Powerful Impact on Reducing Time, Man-hours and Costs for Short Run Labels
Business Overview
Impact Label Corporation, Kalamazoo, Michigan, has been in the product identification business since 1964, with a mission to provide their clients with labeling solutions -- not just labeling products. They produce pressure sensitive labels, control panel labels, overlay labels, decals and products for product identification for original equipment manufacturers in a variety of industries, including medical products, consumer and industrial electronics, marine engines, and musical instruments. With expanded manufacturing and sales facilities in Chicago, Illinois and Hixson, Tennessee, Impact Label provides a variety of labeling solutions for a wide range of corporate clients.
- Use of the Digital Solution
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They use the LEC-300 UV inkjet printer/cutter for producing short runs and prototypes of assorted labels on a variety of materials, including vinyl, polyester, polycarbonate, and aluminum.
- Comparison of Before and After Solution Implementation
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Before
- – More and more clients were ordering smaller batches in a shorter delivery time and it was not easy to meet those requests using screen and offset printing.
- – Their average total project turnaround time is 2-3 days, underlying their need for fast, reliable equipment.
After
- – They produce short runs quickly while maintaining their high standards for quality and durability.
- – By being able to produce only what is needed, they are able to save on tooling, time and materials as machine setup is fast and there is minimal scrap or overage. They can then pass along the benefits of lower costs to their clients.
- A Client's Case Study
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One of their clients requests was for a polycarbonate control overlay for a huge water tank. They had to create a 30″ x 30″ overlay with a four-color process on polyvinyl film and place about 15 different instructional labels on the sheet.
Instead of spending thousands of dollars for the tools needed to do the job, they used the LEC-300 UV inkjet printer/cutter to make the four-color overlay. After laminating it with a textured polycarbonate, they then contour cut it with the LEC-300. As a result, they were able to shorten delivery time and cut costs by about half compared to traditional die cutting.
- Reason for Choosing This Solution
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- – A versatile printer that could cost-effectively run smaller quantities and produce prototypes on the actual production materials they use.
- – The LEC-300’s CYMK + White inks can produce crisp graphics and enhanced contrast for their product identification labels.
- – The Clear Coat feature can add gloss and increase scratch resistance for high durability that equals the output of their screen printers on every material they’ve used.
