Palo Alto, Calif. – HP today announced that Foster Packaging has installed an HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press in its Dunleer, Ireland, facility to extend its dedicated short run flexible packaging services and grow its market share to include medium run lengths.

Foster Packaging established its dedicated short-run, digital flexible packaging business in January 2009. During its first successful 17 months in the digital flexible packaging market, the operation grew from six to 14 members of staff. Its investment in an HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press was driven by high demand for the company's products.

The company operates its HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press to supply its customers with a range of specialist products, including stand-up pouches, three side seal bags, printed roll stock and packaging mock ups. Foster Packaging will use its new HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press to provide these services on run lengths up to 20,000 pouches or printed impressions.

"Our new services have been incredibly well received by our existing and potential customers," said Paul Young, director, Foster Packaging. "Digital Printing and our HP Indigo presses have changed the way we work and attract new customers. We have found that the added value provided by our digital flexible packaging service, such as shorter run lengths and the elimination of time-consuming and costly plate-making and start-up processes, has really opened doors when trying to win new business."

In the flexible packaging market, high print quality is vital. The HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press is able to replicate 97 percent of PANTONE Colors, including brand corporate colors, allowing Foster Packaging to fulfill even its most exacting customer's brand requirements.

Foster Packaging currently sends 70 percent of its products internationally, to markets including the U.K., Kenya, North Africa, South Africa and U.S. The HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press can print at speeds up to 98 feet (30 m) per minute in four-color mode, vital for ensuring that Foster Packaging's products reach its customers quickly.

The HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press is highly versatile, printing on a vast range of substrates including self-adhesive label stock, films and folding cartons from 12-450 microns thick.

"When we started our flexible packaging service we identified the key needs for any start-up companies that might be looking to purchase short-run packaging, with minimal investment," said Young. "For companies whose products needed to create an impact on the selves, high print quality, short production times and maximum versatility was of paramount importance. We found that HP Indigo presses offered us all of this and more."