Route 1 Print has upgraded its print finishing capabilities with the purchase of an ABG DigiLase Duo and Dual Bar DigiJet, allowing it to offer an expanded range of premium stickers and labels
Online trade printer, Route 1 Print, has continued investment in its stickers and labels market with the installation of a new ABG DigiLase Duo and Dual Bar DigiJet.
The latest addition to Route 1 Print’s 300,000sq ft manufacturing facility in Rotheram is part of a £2m investment project delivered over the past 12 months, which has also included the installation of an ABG Digicon Lite and HP Indigo technology.
The company has made significant investments into the business over the last few years, spending approximately £24m on new equipment, with more than half of that invested in the last 12 months alone.
The addition of the DigiLase Duo, alongside the Dual Bar DigiJet and thermal laminator module, aims to significantly expand Route 1’s stickers and labels capability.
The DigiLase Duo features two independent 400W laser heads, delivering faster cutting speeds and greater resilience than previous models, with the precision required for intricate custom shapes, decal-style products, and shorter-run sticker work without the need for traditional tooling.
The Dual Bar DigiJet enables digital embellishment including spot varnish, foiling, and tactile effects, allowing for finishes such as spot UV-style detailing and foil to be applied to the same label in a single pass.
For customers, the investment opens up a wider choice of premium stickers and labels available through Route 1 Print’s online ordering platform.
The addition of the thermal laminator module adds another layer of flexibility to Route 1’s stickers and labels production, bringing thermal lamination directly into the workflow in order to produce labels with improved durability, added protection, and a more premium finish.
Jack Parks, head of Route 1 Print, says: “Stickers and labels have become a major area of growth for Route 1 Print. This investment gives our customers even more opportunity to go after more premium label work across sectors such as food and drink, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more.
“For resellers, it means they can offer their clients short-run, high-quality labels with fast turnarounds and competitive trade pricing, giving them the chance to build in a strong margin. Just as importantly, they can do it all through our simple online platform, without relying on long-winded offline quoting and proofing processes.”
Speaking about the technology, Mark Norman, ABG’s technical director, adds: “The DigiLase Duo is the result of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with digital laser cutting and in-house software development.
“By introducing dual independent lasers, we’ve been able to deliver exceptional gains in speed, flexibility, and reliability, while also helping to minimise waste. It’s a significant step forward in digital finishing technology.”
The investment follows a sustained period of growth within Route 1 Print’s stickers and labels offering. Over the last 12 months, the company has expanded its range to include labels supplied on reels, decals, custom shapes and sizes, as well as new materials such as transparent and silver metallic polypropylene.
