Driven by a desire to enter new markets and execute work previously done on flatbed and flexographic presses more efficiently, T&T Graphics of Miamisburg, OH, USA, recently purchased a Durst Tau 330E Digital Label Press, integrated inline with the DC330 Mini Semi-Rotary Finishing System from Grafisk Maskinfabrik of Denmark.

The Tau 330E is a digital UV inkjet label press printing 8-inch or 13-inch widths in four or five colors at speeds of up to 157 fpm and resolution of up to 1,260 dpi.  The system has been engineered with particular attention to equipment cost, while maintaining the proven speed and printing quality of the flagship Tau 330 printing press.  By reducing the color offering from seven in the original Tau 330, Durst is able to offer a more economical model.  

Initially, T&T Graphics was focused on acquiring a toner-based label press, but then opted for digital inkjet because of its durability and ease of use. “We felt toner was a little bit more complex and required a more sophisticated control on the production floor,” says T&T Graphics President Marty Clark.  “So we began to focus on UV inkjet and looked at roughly 15 manufacturers.  I hadn’t contacted Durst earlier in our research phase because I viewed them as the crème de la crème. So when they brought out the Tau 330E, that really made all the difference.  Durst came in the game last and finished first.  We felt their value for what they were offering well exceeded what else was out there.”

Clark added that he expects the Tau 330E will drive the company’s growth in several areas:  “There’s no question the Tau 330E will help us with more than just short run. With its great speed, and coupled with the finisher, we’re going to be able to do a lot of medium- and even long-run work that’s high quality. We’ll be using it for products like wine bottle labels, the health and beauty industry, and food and beverage, where presentation is really important. We’ll also be able to transition some of the industrial hardened labels that we do for product warnings and such because of the Tau’s usability and durability.“

With the transition of approximately 25 percent of its flexographic work and 20 percent of its screen printing work to the Tau 330E, T&T Graphics looks forward to expanding its competitive edge as well. “We’re very excited about our new Tau 330E,” Clark adds, “and the customers we’ve spoken to are excited about the expanded work that we’ll be able to do.”