Innovative Labeling Solutions (www.ilslabels.com) announces the world’s first complete in-line digital print production line. The in-line configuration is the next step in increasing the company’s ability to meet the needs of the evolving consumer packaged goods market.

“ILS has a reputation for being progressive in regard to digital print production with the HP Indigo presses, and we were excited to be a part of the beta test of the In line Priming unit (ILP) for the WS6000 to see what it would do to improve operational and economic efficiencies, “ says Brian Smallwood, ILS general manager. 

In March, the company marked the one-year anniversary of the Delta Spectrum II finishing system (being installed) in line with one of the three WS6000’s located in the facility in Ohio. “So February was perfect time for us to begin the beta testing of the ILP unit in advance of the commercial launch of the hardware in April,” adds Smallwood.

“The decision to invest in the Delta Spectrum II, which offers complete flexibility because of its modular station design, as well as placing it in tandem with the press was a strategic one,” adds Smallwood, “and a direct result of the value proposition we have been delivering to the marketplace for the better part of four years now.”   Eric Knop, ILS director of business development shares, “as our clients have begun to grasp the total product life cycle benefit of a digital solution, we have seen our run lengths get longer and longer because they are converting complete product lines to digital.”

“Many of our print runs are far above industry average, or what is commonly referred to as the “crossover” point of 15,000 ft.  In fact, we run jobs from 70,000 ft to more than 450,000 ft.,” Knop adds. “Brands are starting to leverage the full benefit of the technology, including:  the highest quality graphic reproduction because of the offset like system; market responsiveness in the form of design and message flexibility because of the plate-free technology; speed-to-market because of the fast turn times; sustainability and supply chain efficiencies because of the reduction of minimum run lengths which positively impact both inventory carrying charges and obsolescence; as well as the favorable environmental footprint of the press itself and its production efficiencies.    

“As a digital label and packaging specialist, ILS runs all applications including pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging and folding cartons. The demands of each of these outputs is unique, and creates a need for specialized knowledge and equipment, as well as complete flexibility within our operation,” Smallwood continues.

“As the first converter in the world to run a Delta Spectrum II in line with the WS6000, we knew, based on the immediate impact of this configuration, that it would not be long before we would be in the hunt for additional capabilities to further reduce the steps in the production process. And the ILP unit is the next piece,“ says Jay Dollries, president and CEO of ILS.

The In Line priming unit from HP is a press hardware option that enables on-demand treatment of substrates to streamline manufacturing as well as lower the material treatment costs associated with digital by virtually eliminating the machine and labor costs associated with priming.

“Now with the HP WS6000, plus the ILP unit, and the Delta Spectrum II fully integrated, we have the most operationally efficient digital system available in the market today,” Dollries says.