Hub Labels Inc, a Maryland-based label printing converter, has expanded its printing capabilities with the acquisition of an HP Indigo 6K digital press. The press gives the company a competitive advantage for short-run label runs across a variety of industries, including food, beverage, and health and beauty market segments, to name a few.

“Over the last two years, label demand has continued to go through the roof,” states Thomas Dahbura, president and owner of Hub Labels. “Even with all the challenges facing our industry, the economy continues to be strong. Consumers are buying. In the last year, we’ve seen the greatest growth from our small to medium-sized customers. By adding the HP Indigo press to our lineup, we are adding more than 10% capacity to our facility. That’s huge for us and our customers. It helps us balance our workload across our presses, offer shorter lead times, and be more flexible with how we fulfill orders. In addition, the print quality is stunning and the right fit for Hub.”

Quality and reputation are major contributing factors to Hub Labels’ decision to install the equipment at their Hagerstown facility. The HP technology produces incredible detail that people have come to expect from Hub. Furthermore, the press offers mass label customization, brand protection, variable data and expanded gamut for endless color possibilities. The press also allows product owners to be more agile and easily pivot, without producing a lot of waste.

Ryan Johnston, VP of finance at Hub Labels, met with HP to ensure that the HP Indigo press would complement and enhance the current capabilities at Hub. “We invested in a Heidelberg/Gallus hybrid flexo-digital press several years ago, so the HP press is our second digital press. It allows us to be more efficient by using the right press for the job. By partnering with HP, we also get a competitive advantage. HP is well known, even to our customers. The Indigo fleet is proven technology. With this press, we are able to reduce our make-ready time and output labels very quickly that meet our incredibly high-quality standards.”

The HP Indigo 6k digital press is one of several investments made by Hub Labels in 2021. Earlier this year, the company announced the installation of a GM hot stamping and embossing machine. Also, Hub Labels recently installed a GM diecutting machine to increase operation efficiency and directly support both digital presses at Hub.

Dahbura explains the continued investment in new technology despite the turmoil facing the industry. “The bottom line is that technology continues to evolve. The world doesn’t stop moving because of Covid, material shortages, or any other obstacle we may face. By investing in our business, we help our customers sell more products and grow their business. Plus, I geek out a bit when I can show a customer the possibilities of what we are able to achieve. Making labels is so much more than laying ink onto a material. I love to show designers and business owners our capabilities such as the HP Indigo’s mosaic technology which produces hundreds of unique labels from just one art file, and without a huge price tag. It’s a game-changer for small and medium businesses who can now increase consumer engagement and offer innovative packaging with ease. The technology sells itself.”