Improving efficiency when converting complex short run labels

Modern day printshops in the Label and Packaging industry are often faced with the same challenges. How to get shorter runs, how to manage shorter lead times or getting your cost base right…   When dealing with challenges like these, workflow automation can drastically improve your productivity. Mercian Labels, a UK-based label printer on a mission to deliver top design and manufacture of world class labels, has taken on a pioneering role by bringing together digital press technology from Screen and high-class finishing partner AB Graphic, both connected through a centralized CERM MIS system.

When asking Dr. Adrian Steele - Managing Director at Mercian Labels - for his true motivations behind his workflow automation project, improving efficiency was priority number one. “It was of crucial importance to be conscious about where to put our efforts and the real elephant in the room was to take on complex digitally printed labels and improving our efficiency”.

Together with Screen, ABG and CERM, Mercian Labels now has an integrated and most productive platform, getting as close to a full lights-out production as currently possible.  Prepress and preflight processes are being automated via the centralized CERM MIS system, the products being printed are cost-effective and are digitally printed with a Screen UV inkjet press. At the same time generating a unique QR-code for each SKU that contains all information for the ABG machine to automatically adjust itself and set up the finishing. Changing matt to gloss varnish, setting up die position, removing waste, …

“Project like these are always asking for a little bit more energy but we love to take on challenges like this, taking it one step at a time and turning them into a standard solution so everybody can benefit from them. As it is in the standardized ABG- or Screen software. Any customer can purchase equipment from AB Graphic or a digital Screen press and connect all individual systems via the CERM MIS into an integrated workflow”, says Geert Van Damme – Managing Director at CERM. 

Listen here to the reaction of all parties involved, after presenting this innovative project at the CERM Integration Arena at LabelExpo Americas 2022:

Full interviews with Dr. Adrian Steele – Managing Director at Mercian Labels, Geert Van Damme – Managing Director at CERM, Matt Burton – Sales Director at AB Graphic and Stuart Morrison – Technical Sales Specialist at Screen can be found at INKISH TV at:

Dr. Adrian Steele:          https://inkish.tv/inkish-video/mercian/

Geert Van Damme:        https://inkish.tv/inkish-video/cermmercian/

Matt Burton:                     https://inkish.tv/inkish-video/abgmercian/

Stuart Morrison:             https://inkish.tv/inkish-video/screenmercian/

Special thanks to Henrik Klem Lassen and Morten B. Reitoft from Inkish TV for these great interviews and coverage.