10.31.18
Advantage Label & Packaging Inc., based out of Grand Rapids, MI, employs 52 individuals and serves a variety of traditional and specialty market segments within the label and packaging industry.
The company installed both machines in late 2017. The Digital Series was configured specifically for Advantage’s needs.
With regards to equipment, Advantage is a 100% Mark Andy operation.
Its 32,000-square-foot facility is home to a Mark Andy Digital Series, Digital One, Performance Series P5 and P7, two 2200 presses, and an 830 workhorse.
Through 2016, Advantage managed short-run and VDP jobs with a small-format digital option. As the industry ramped up on lower volumes, higher job mix, and increased personalization, capacity and capability of the desktop device fell short in profitably fulfilling market demands.
Because of this, Advantage Label & Packaging CEO Brad Knoth was seeking consistency and reliability to meet digital requirements for micro-, short- and mid-run jobs. The printer’s decision to purchase not one, but two Mark Andy solutions: a Digital One and Digital Series press.
Through 2016, Advantage managed short-run and VDP jobs with a small-format digital option. As the industry ramped up on lower volumes, higher job mix, and increased personalization, capacity and capability of the desktop device fell short in profitably fulfilling market demands.
Because of this, Advantage Label & Packaging CEO Brad Knoth was seeking consistency and reliability to meet digital requirements for micro-, short- and mid-run jobs. The printer’s decision to purchase not one, but two Mark Andy solutions: a Digital One and Digital Series press.
The company installed both machines in late 2017. The Digital Series was configured specifically for Advantage’s needs.
It consists of 5 multi-purpose flexo stations along with 5 Color UV inkjet capability within the digital module.
According to Knoth, “The ability to run the press full flexo- we have 5 conventional stations, is really beneficial, especially on shifts that do not have the full art department support that our first shift enjoys. The hybrid capability and team at Mark Andy backing it up was a key differentiator."
Additionally, the press was built with a turn-bar, corona treater, and a delam/relam unit, largely to support Advantage’s typical label constructions. The company prints back side adhesives and tags at high volume, alongside other unique flexo and tooling work that nicely complements the True Hybrid architecture of the machine.
The Digital One is exceptional for runs under 1,600 feet, Knoth said.
Additionally, the press was built with a turn-bar, corona treater, and a delam/relam unit, largely to support Advantage’s typical label constructions. The company prints back side adhesives and tags at high volume, alongside other unique flexo and tooling work that nicely complements the True Hybrid architecture of the machine.
The Digital One is exceptional for runs under 1,600 feet, Knoth said.
“We don’t want to sell flexo, digital toner or digital UV," the CEO said. "We want to consistently provide a proposal and solution that meets expectations with the lowest total cost. Our Digital Series and Digital One are integral parts of that value proposition.
“Our digital press investments tee us up for 20% growth in the first year," he added. "But more importantly, our primary focus has always been to chase excellence and overjoy the customers – the numbers always seem to flow nicely with that focus.”
“Our digital press investments tee us up for 20% growth in the first year," he added. "But more importantly, our primary focus has always been to chase excellence and overjoy the customers – the numbers always seem to flow nicely with that focus.”
