Traco Packaging, a Utah-based packaging supplier, is increasing its digital printing capacity with a new high-performance HP Indigo 6900 Digital Press. The addition will help supply the growing demand for custom printed shrink sleeves, labels and flexible packaging.

At the Traco facility in Orem, UT, the HP Indigo 6900 runs alongside Traco’s existing fleet of digital and flexo presses to provide unmatched quality for their end-users and distributors.

Shrink sleeves are Traco’s premier product offering, as well as pressure-sensitive labels for its customers. Industries served include food and beverage, nutraceuticals and personal care products.

Traco was a pioneer in digital shrink sleeves using its first HP Indigo ws4500 digital press. Since then, Traco has upgraded to a fleet of all-HP Indigo presses with HP Indigo 6900 capabilities.

According to Gary Whitehead, Print Production Specialist at Traco, the HP Indigo 6900 advanced digital printing capabilities will help Traco deliver the growing need for secure print, including tamper-proof mechanisms. “Digitally printed sleeves are a perfect fit for these tamper-evident needs,” he said.

“Craft beverages are also experiencing an upswing, driving demand for printing technology that can cost effectively cope with this industry’s SKU proliferation for seasonal and event versioning,” added John Palica, President of the Utah-based Traco Manufacturing, Inc.

“We’re specialists in shrink sleeves with the capability to shrink to fit anything, including drink containers for craft beer cans, wine and other beverages,” Palica said.
Craft breweries are increasingly choosing cans, and typically can have up to 25 or more varieties, according to Whitehead. “The challenge with aluminum, deco-printed cans is the minimum order quantity is very prohibitive. By labeling with shrink sleeves, breweries can stock blank cans and customize them on-demand with unlimited designs from one can to thousands. It’s a slam dunk for inventory challenges and the print quality is unmatched,” said Whitehead.

To add to the amazing print quality of the HP Indigo digital presses, Traco is also acquiring an AB Graphics Digicon Series 3 finishing press for post-press finishing of digital sleeves and labels. The new equipment will add post-press specialty finishes including spot matte varnish, flexo printed effects, overlams and cold foil effects for shrink sleeves and PS labels.

The new HP Indigo 6900 Digital Press, the latest version of the industry-leading narrow-web HP Indigo 6000 platform, continues to increase its reach into the digital packaging market. New specialty inks from HP Indigo are also transforming the digital market with new silver metallic inks, specialty security inks and fluorescent inks.