PALO ALTO, Calif. -- HP today announced that Traco Manufacturing Inc., a printer and manufacturer of shrink films, machines and equipment, has installed an HP Indigo press ws4500 to increase its ability to offer customers high-quality printed shrink sleeve products with a fast turnaround time and customization.

Prior to installing the HP Indigo press ws4500, Traco offered printed shrink sleeves and film produced overseas with rotogravure technology. The Orem, Utah-based company decided to install the digital press based on increased customer demand for faster turnaround times, customized text and images and shorter run lengths. Additionally, Traco's new digital workflow has helped the company reduce expenses by eliminating the high cost of cylinder plates and airfreight, while increasing its business with the high-quality output customers demand.

"Traco Manufacturing is breaking new ground with the first North American installation of HP Indigo technology devoted strictly to the production of shrink sleeve applications," said Jan Riecher, vice president and general manager, Americas Graphics Solutions Business, HP. "With the HP Indigo press ws4500, Traco offers more value to its current customers with faster turnaround times and top-quality printing, plus it enables the company to successfully reach out to new clients."

Established in 1985, Traco has evolved from an equipment manufacturer and film distributor to include color printing services for shrink sleeve applications. With its new digital press technology, Traco has created a competitive advantage in the industry as customer demand for faster, shorter jobs has increased. The ability of the HP Indigo press ws4500 to exceed customer expectations for fast turnaround times and offset-quality printing was a key selling point for the company.

"The HP Indigo press ws4500 has allowed us to better serve existing customers and capture new business opportunities with the ability to present unique shrink sleeve solutions to customers," said John J. Palica, president, Traco Manufacturing Inc. "In the past, we were limited to long run lengths and static printing processes. Now, we can meet the demand for shorter run lengths and variable data printing, giving our customers the opportunity to capitalize on these growing trends in the shrink sleeve industry."

With the installation of the HP Indigo press ws4500, Traco was able to complete a recent project for Nuriche, a manufacturer and supplier of innovative nutritional products, which included the production of three shrink sleeve designs in quantities of 5,000 and 2,000 sleeves. The customer needed the project turned around very quickly, and with the new press, Traco was able to deliver the complete project in only five days with quality that was superior to that found in rotogravure printing.

"The HP Indigo press ws4500 allowed us to meet our customer's immediate need with the technology that we now have in-house and exceed customer expectations with very high quality output and fast turnaround time," said Palica.

In addition to investing in HP Indigo technology, Traco bolstered its portfolio with seaming equipment manufactured by Karlville and a multi-functional finishing line by ABG that allow the company to prime substrates for digital printing, print special effects, slit and die cut film and laminate products. These converting machines complete Traco's digital package, which provides customers with a one-stop solution for printing and finishing sleeves in-house with fast turnaround time.