UK-based speciality label printer Hamilton Adhesive Labels Ltd has adopted Pulse Roll Label Products’ PureTone UV flexo ink system to support its measurement and control philosophy and desire to achieve excellence in print.

As a family run printing business and one of the UK’s leading independent converters of self-adhesive labels, Hamilton Adhesive Labels set the goal of delivering a predictive printing system, “right first time,” while elevating the print process itself to the highest possible quality level.

The exercise under the heading “measurement and control” was comprehensive. Mono-pigmented inks were tested against traditional systems from other ink companies in both laboratory and press conditions. Anilox technologies were scrutinised and validated against their perceived benefits and plate technologies from all the top suppliers were tested.

Hamilton Adhesive Labels invested heavily in new equipment and scientific tools to support this program and, in terms of inks, PureTone emerged as the successful winner with Pulse Roll Label Products consequently appointed as Hamilton Adhesive Labels’ new ink partner.

The change to PureTone has meant that Hamilton Adhesive Labels now achieves the highest print quality, right first time. A more efficient manufacturing process has been built around the innovative PureTone concept, and digital ink management, as part of the complete solution, has been embraced and adopted throughout Hamilton Adhesive Labels.

Paul Larkin, Operations Director, Hamilton Adhesive Labels Ltd, says, “PureTone’s innovative concept fits perfectly with our measurement and control philosophy. Our approach to quality and productivity is unique. Pulse Roll Label Products with its PureTone UV flexo ink system provided the vital link in our desire to achieve the highest level of quality, whilst improving our competitiveness in the marketplace.”

The PureTone UV flexo ink system, which comprises high strength 4 color process series and mono-pigmented mixing bases, was developed by Pulse Roll Label Products to work with the latest prepress technology to provide a total color management solution for the narrow web market. This has enabled consistent color matching and closer Delta E readings on every occasion at Hamilton.

Hamilton’s on-site kitchen utilises an X-Rite spectrophotometer along with InkFormulation Software (IFS) and pre-press proofing equipment from RK PrintCoat Instruments. Anilox rolls are maintained and cleaned regularly and are accurately calibrated for each press to provide consistent color density. All this has led to efficiency gains with savings on ink consumption and reductions in waste resulting in long-term cost savings.

Sebastian Bolingbroke, Head of Production confirmed that it had been a very easy transition from the company’s existing ink supplier to Pulse Roll Label Products and said, “We’ve seen a massive reduction in waste due to the calibration of our ink laboratory to the press conditions.”

Gary Seward, Managing Director, Pulse Roll Label Products comments, “We are delighted that the switch to PureTone has helped Hamilton Adhesive Labels achieve its aim of creating a leaner and more efficient operation to maximise its competitiveness in today’s global label market.”