Pacer expands label capabilities with Epson investment

Southern California-based Pacer Print and Packaging has invested in the Epson SurePress L-6534VW UV digital press to meet rising demand and expand its printing capabilities for high-quality color labels.

Pacer Print and Packaging prints around three million labels per month on the SurePress, with clients spanning various industries, including nutraceuticals, cannabis, health and beauty, candles, food, spice and entertainment.

‘Initially, our main business was printing folding cartons,’ said Peter Varady, owner of Pacer Print and Packaging. ‘After developing that niche, we started thinking outside the box – literally. Everything going into the boxes we were creating needed a printed label, so we started developing our label business. We purchased our first digital label press, learned about finishing techniques, suppliers, and we got it going.

‘When we needed a second press, we wanted to look at Epson. Every print shop has an Epson proofer, it’s the standard. Epson dominates in color, providing superior output quality, and we knew that experience would be reflected in the label world. We have not been disappointed – color gamut, quality, digital varnish, consistency, ease of use; it has everything we need.’

According to Varady, thanks to the print quality offered by SurePress, the company has secured more exclusive clients, including wine, spirit and beauty customers that require a higher quality label with particular color-matching needs.

The reliability of the SurePress has been critical for Varady, who noted that since the installation, it has been operating without a failure.

‘Right before we purchased the SurePress, our other press kept breaking down, and we would continually miss deadlines,’ added Varady. ‘We lost three major accounts because of the downtime. We’ve since been able to reconnect with those accounts, and I think they will be really happy with the quality we’re getting from the SurePress.

‘We have customers who now specifically ask for their labels to be printed on the SurePress. Digital varnish is traditionally very difficult with flexo; however, with the SurePress, everything is in-line. So not only do you get the finishing, but you can lay varnish on top, and the contrast is outstanding.’

Pacer Print and Packaging has also been impressed with the ease of operation, with just a week of training providing the knowledge and ability to produce high-quality labels.

‘Epson’s SurePress label presses are purpose-built to deliver high-quality, professional output and are engineered for reliability with an easy-to-operate design to benefit print shops like Pacer Print and Packaging,’ said Mike Pruitt, product manager of Epson America. ‘The engineering and cost-effective design of the SurePress, coupled with the wide color gamut and in-line finishing techniques, was designed to be a game-changing solution to help label businesses thrive.’