Lenexa, KS-based SpectraGraphics has been a trusted name in the label industry for half a century. Founded in 1974 by Ted Williams, the company started as Par Label & Tape, producing dairy labels with a Webtron flexographic press. Ted’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to quality laid the foundation for the company’s success.

Today, as SpectraGraphics prepares to host the FLAG Annual Meeting in 2025, the company is a prominent leader in the flexo and digital label space, adapting quickly to market shifts with a forward-thinking mindset and unwavering commitment to its customers.

SpectraGraphics has seen significant growth and transformation over the past five decades, adapting to the needs of its clients and the constantly-changing demands of the label industry. Williams moved the company from its original location in Kansas City to its current home in Lenexa in 1982 and rebranded it as SpectraGraphics. What started with dairy labels soon expanded into other markets, including perishable foods and a wide range of consumer goods.

When company president Kevin Briggs joined SpectraGraphics in 2004, the company had become heavily reliant on one client, accounting for the bulk of the company’s business. Under Briggs’ dedication and leadership, the company diversified its client base and began modernizing its production processes. “When I started, the company was using dated equipment and processes,” Briggs recalls. “There was a lot of low-hanging fruit for efficiency improvements. We just needed to get up to speed with technology.”

Briggs’ vision was based on experience and included the implementation of internal ink mixing, color-matching software, and switching to CTP dry thermal plate processing to improve quality and efficiency. He recruited Jim Freeman, the current operations manager and minority partner, to implement these technological changes and bring on new product development. Under their leadership, SpectraGraphics expanded its annual sales from $3 million to over $13 million today, all while only increasing its headcount by four employees.  Teamwork, innovation, and capital investment have been the keys.

The hybrid revolution
One of the most significant advancements in SpectraGraphics’ journey has been its adoption of hybrid printing technology. In 2020, the company installed its first digital hybrid Domino 610 press, a move that dramatically improved its capabilities in handling short-run jobs and complex applications like expanded content labels, cold foiling, and resealable packaging. The press was so successful that SpectraGraphics added a second hybrid press in 2022.

“We were able to pull back a lot of the outsourcing we were doing,” says Briggs. “The efficiencies we’ve gained with hybrid technology have been tremendous. We’re now able to handle complex projects with much shorter turnaround times. For instance, a job that used to take us nearly 50 hours on a traditional flexo press can now be done in six hours on the hybrid.”

The hybrid presses have also allowed SpectraGraphics to tackle intricate labeling applications, including raised ink and cast-and-cure holographic effects, making the company a preferred supplier for industries like perishable foods, beverages, personal care products, and cannabis packaging.

A culture of loyalty and flexibility
At the core of SpectraGraphics’ success is its dedicated team. Many of the company’s employees have been with the business for decades, with an average tenure of over 20 years. This continuity has fostered a culture of loyalty, knowledge-sharing, and flexibility, allowing the company to operate with remarkable efficiency.

“We’ve created an environment where people are happy to come to work every day,” Briggs comments. “I’ve worked at larger companies where employees were just another cog in the wheel. Here, we value flexibility, and that’s reflected in our 4×10 shift schedule. It allows our operators to adjust their hours based on their personal lives, which keeps morale high and turnover low.”

This culture of care extends beyond internal operations. SpectraGraphics is known for its customer-centric approach, consistently going above and beyond to ensure that clients receive the highest quality products on time. Whether it’s offering creative solutions for a complex label design or providing flexible delivery schedules, the company is fiercely committed to exceeding customer expectations.

FLAG membership: A turning point
In 2021, SpectraGraphics joined the Flexo Label Advantage Group (FLAG), and according to Briggs, it’s been one of the best decisions they’ve made.

“SpectraGraphics is thrilled to be hosting FLAG’s Annual Meeting in 2025. We joined FLAG three years ago, and I wish we would have joined sooner,” he shares. “The incentives more than pay for the cost of membership, and the Annual Meeting is awesome. It’s completely different from any other association out there. You can ask any FLAG member a question, and they will give you a straight answer.”

Briggs has found FLAG’s online Member Forum particularly valuable. “I’m in and out of that forum all day long,” he explains. “I can post a question about a specific challenge or piece of equipment, and within an hour, I’ll have 15 responses from other converters who’ve been there and solved the same issue. Everyone is just so helpful.”

Briggs also appreciates the peer group discussions FLAG offers. “The peer group discussions allow us insight and assistance with business conditions and company policies. Aside from the great networking opportunity, the Annual Meetings are affordable, informative, and always include a plant tour to offer a glimpse into what my peers in the industry are doing and how they’re running their own operations.”

Planning for the future
While SpectraGraphics has already made substantial advancements in technology and efficiency, the company is constantly refining its vision for growth and success. Briggs and his team are always looking for ways to improve their capabilities and better serve their clients.

One area of focus is expanding into flexible packaging and RFID labeling, two markets that are seeing rapid growth, particularly in the food sector. “We’ve already started doing some work in flexible packaging, but we want to build that out further,” says Briggs “We’re also seeing more demand for RFID labeling, especially from large clients who need to track high-value items.”

As SpectraGraphics prepares to host the FLAG Annual Meeting in 2025, Briggs is eager to showcase the company’s capabilities and culture to fellow converters. Hosting the meeting is not just an opportunity to show off their technology but also to encourage other FLAG members to embrace the same sense of innovation and community that has driven SpectraGraphics’ success.

“We’re excited to host the meeting next year and let other FLAG members see what we do here,” says Briggs. “Our facility may not be the newest, but we’ve made it work by focusing on what really matters – our people, our equipment, and our commitment to excellence.”

SpectraGraphics’ journey from a small dairy label producer to an industry leader in hybrid printing technology is a testament to the power of smart investments, strong leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement. As the company looks to the future, its focus remains on delivering innovative solutions, fostering a supportive work environment, and maintaining the high standards that have defined the company for 50 years.