Jet Label and Packaging, a label leader in Western Canada, will install an HP Indigo 8000 Digital Press to double its digital capacity and print longer digital runs, closing the deal at Labelexpo Americas 2018 in Chicago.

The Edmonton-based Jet Label is printing at full capacity on its two HP Indigo WS6600 digital presses, running 24 hours five days week, as its digital work grows at a steady pace and runs are getting longer. Instead of investing in another flexo press, Jet Label CEO Darrell Friesen decided to expand the converter’s capacity for digital printing, where the company is enjoying higher margins.

“Looking at the numbers the choice was easy. Digital is more profitable and that is why instead of investing in a new-generation flexo we are adding the high-volume narrow-web HP Indigo 8000,” Friesen said.

Over half of Jet Label’s current digital jobs are over 30,000 linear feet, noted Friesen.

The HP Indigo 8000 Digital Press prints at double the speed of an HP Indigo WS6800 press at up to 262 linear feet per minute. Designed to handle even the longest and most demanding jobs, the press enables converters to reshape business and move toward full digital production.

The color consistency from run to run delivered by HP Indigo is a key in maintaining the quality required by customers, Friesen noted. “Quality is now the first concern. No.2 is fast delivery, and price is third. HP Indigo printing is also delivering the superior color quality, graphics and versioning demanded by the industry,” he said.

The addition of the HP Indigo 8000 will also help Jet Label continue to deliver on its mission to deliver orders within four business days, a key company value for serving the fast-paced Western Canadian food industry, primarily meat suppliers.
Jet Label is also beginning to expand business in the craft beer industry, while also adding a security offering with RFID and HP Link, with plans to supply secure solutions for the cannabis industry.

Jet Label also operates 12 conventional presses.

Installation of the new HP Indigo press will start this week and is to complete by mid-October.

Pictured from left: Jet Label’s Rod Froment, Vice President, and Darrell Friesen, President.