GURNEE, IL—At the Digital Packaging Summit 2018 held in Ponte Vedra, FL Nov. 5-7, Brian Hurst, vice president of production at Yerecic Label, provided a live case study on behalf of Domino to nearly 40 label printer converters in attendance.
The Digital Packaging Summit utilizes a unique case study format in a boardroom setting for suppliers and attendees to connect. Typically, the supplier will utilize a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the need, solution and satisfaction of one of its customers. However, to take it up a notch and provide a true “voice of the customer,” this particular case study was live, in-person, with Brian traveling all the way from Pennsylvania.
Brian described in detail Yerecic Label’s journey to digital and what they learned along the way, providing educational insight for the other label printer converters in the room. Here is what Brian discussed.
Why digital?
“With the increasing demand for shorter runs with shorter lead times, it became apparent we needed to move in the direction of digital to remain competitive.”
What was the selection process?
“It started two years ago right here at the Digital Packaging Summit. The one-on-ones with the suppliers gave me the base knowledge to take back to our team. From there, we sent the same four digital files to 10 digital suppliers and had samples printed. We then conducted a blind study with associates from all departments within the company, judging for print quality, color vibrancy, registration and opacity of the white. From the 10 suppliers we narrowed our search down to six. Using our network of TLMI members, we set up site visits to different companies who had the different types of digital technology. We again asked for samples with two different digital files and repeated the blind study process. From this study we narrowed our search to the final three digital suppliers. This is where we began the discussion on pricing and asked for proposals from the final three suppliers. After evaluating the proposals and adding in the results of the blind study, a recommendation was made to the Board of Directors to partner with Domino.”
What were the supplier differentiators?
“The people at Domino are what really make the difference. From top to bottom, this is an organization that proves time and time again that they are the leader in the digital ink jet arena. And their digital printing equipment is designed to minimize operator intervention, with their CleanCap Technology (self-cleaning print heads that are capped when not in use. The operator never has to touch the heads), Actiflow, which keeps the ink recirculating at temperature, and StichLink, which is automated alignment of the jetting assemblies. And since Domino makes their own ink, they have control over the pricing. Other digital companies are the middleman when it comes to the ink.”
What about solution implementation and support?
“From start to finish, the team at Domino were no more than a phone call away. From the installation where the technician gave our operator his cell phone number in case of questions, to the ongoing support from the entire Domino team. It is the feeling of a true partnership with Domino. It’s not ‘Well, we sold a press now you’re on your own.’ The team at Domino continues to check in to make sure that everything is running right.”
Is the solution living up to your expectations?
“The Domino N610i is far surpassing the expectations we have set for it. The colors are hitting the Pantone book on the first print without having to make any corrections. The opacity of the dual white bars has exceeded the opacity measurements of rotary screen. We continue to push the length of the runs up, pushing the crossover limits as far as we can.”
What is your one final thought?
“When you are considering the digital platform you are going to buy, don’t look at price as much as you look at the company and the people at the company who will stand behind their product, their word, and deliver a world-class platform that will transform how you print.”
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