DWS Printing & Packaging has seen the benefits of its decision to install the MPS EF Symjet “powered by Domino” hybrid press for its label and shrink sleeve needs. The Deer Park, NY-based converter has been in the printing business since 1865, and DWS recently sat down for a video interview to explain how the press has improved its operations – and will continue to do so in the future.

DWS did its due diligence in selecting a hybrid printing option to meet its wide range of needs. In selecting the MPS EF Symjet “powered by Domino” press, DWS found a collaborative partner.

“So, what’s critical to us is that we are a tried-and-true and solid partner to our clients. But at the same time, we demand and expect the same level of support and partnerships from our supply chain – namely Domino – and we’ve gotten it,” says Andy Staib, fourth generation owner and CEO of DWS. “Our great grandfather was one of the original principals. We think that’s pretty unusual to be in business that long and have maintained the family heritage. Our primary niche is in the craft beer, beverage, and food markets, but we also cater to non-alcoholic and to the organic food space. Unlike some of the bigger guys, we can be responsive with shorter runs and quicker turnaround. We like it. That’s really where our comfort zone is.”

John Gulino, senior technical director at DWS, was instrumental in the research process in selecting a digital printing partner. “We always like to be innovative,” says Gulino. “We want to be on the cutting edge. We don’t want to be a follower. So, we vetted out every technology that was out there. During our vetting process, we had all the press manufacturers run all the same files on all the same material. We labeled independently each sample from each press manufacturer. We gave our sales team the exact same samples on the exact same substrates and asked them all for their opinion. And unanimously, it came back to Domino.

“So, once we decided on a Domino UV inkjet, we decided that hybrid was the way for us,” adds Gulino. “Then came the decision on how are we going to build a hybrid press that’s best for DWS. And that’s when we decided on MPS.” 

According to Gulino, this press has been configured to meet the exact needs of the company. “This is our MPS EF SYMJET powered by Domino,” he notes. “We have two flexo stations in front for printing UV ink, we have cold foil, we have the Domino N610i with 7-colors, we have two flexo stations in the back for printing UV ink, we have a turn bar for two-sided printing, a lamination station, we have semi and full-rotary diecutting … and it’s all powered by one press console.”

Since 1865, DWS has emphasized helping its brand owner customers differentiate product and stand out from the competition. “Clients often come to us because we have our own in-house design team, and they’re looking for how we can make their labels better,” explains Gulino. “One of our brewery clients wanted to put different dogs on all their beer labels, but they had no idea how to do that. We were able to show them how variable data can improve their selling ability. Without having the digital capabilities of Domino, we could not have done that with our traditional flexo or offset printing. So having the Domino hybrid technology has taken us to a completely different level. There’s not many people that are doing what we can do, or do it as well as we can do it. And Domino has been able to give us the technology and the quality to provide those to our clients.”

Staib says, “We took it one step further. We wanted to keep sleeving in-house, and it was the digital technology that helped us get there. And it brings a solution to the table that the other guys just don’t have. It’s a game changer.”

DWS boasts its own packaging operation, where shrink sleeves are applied to empty beverage cans. Staib explains, “One of the reasons that we got into digital printing in the first place was so that we could streamline the process. So, the labels that you just saw hot off the press are going right into sleeving, thanks to my nephew, TJ, generation five. The sleeves are getting applied right here in-house, they go through a short conveyor system, and about three seconds later we’ve got a finished pre-sleeved can.  Nobody else is doing this. The bottom line: none of this would be possible without our hybrid press. How cool is that?!”

Staib adds, “Domino has been there, right from the start, to help us get through the learning curve, to understand digital, and to support us throughout the process.So, it’s been great.” 

Expanding into Austin, Texas, DWS Printing & Packaging installed another Domino – MPS hybrid press.