Label printing has evolved dramatically over the last 40 to 50 years. Flexographic printing has propelled our industry for the last 50 plus years. In the 1970’s Small 3, 4 and 5 color flexographic presses were state of the art. By the end of the 70’s into the early 80’s press technology began advancing 4 color process printed labels we’re popping up. From the early 80’s until the early 2000’s flexographic printing advanced at rapid pace taking over as the predominant print method for most types of self-adhesive labels in North America.
Fast forward to the early 2000’s and the digital printing started making in-roads into the world of self-adhesive labels. While in it’s infancy digitally printed labels were for very short run jobs of 5000 pieces or fewer. As digital printing has grown over the years this small run caveat still hold true but short run can now mean upwards of 50,000 or more labels. Apogee has been following the trends in digital printing and has recently purchased digital printing and finishing equipment that fit our needs for the shorter runs. We have found digital to be outstanding for very small run Spirits. Wine and Beer Industry. Also for other artisanal food labels digital printing is the preferred method. Apogee has also found digital as a good niche for short run chemical labels and other types of industrial labels.
Digital label printing has taken over a small portion of the label industry at this point in time and will only keep growing. Experts in the label industry predict that in the next 2 to 5 years about 15% to 20 % of all labels will be printed digitally The digital trend will keep growing and we at Apogee are integrating it to best fit our customer’s needs.