Route 1 Print has expanded its stickers and labels production capabilities following the installation of a new ABG DigiLase Duo and Dual Bar DigiJet system at its manufacturing facility in Rotherham.
The company said the installation forms the flagship element of a wider £2 million investment programme completed over the past 12 months. The programme has also included the addition of an ABG Digicon Lite and HP Indigo technology.
According to Route 1 Print, the new equipment significantly increases its capacity within the stickers and labels sector, a category that has seen continued growth for the business. The DigiLase Duo incorporates two independent 400W laser heads designed to support faster cutting speeds and greater flexibility when producing custom-shaped labels, decals and short-run sticker jobs without the need for conventional tooling.
The system has also been designed with full laser hardware redundancy to help maintain production reliability while increasing throughput.
The installation includes a Dual Bar DigiJet digital embellishment unit and a thermal laminator module. Route 1 Print said the setup allows embellishments such as spot varnish, foiling and tactile effects to be applied within a single production pass, while the laminator provides additional durability and protection for finished labels.
The company said the investment will expand the range of premium sticker and label products available through its online ordering platform, enabling customers to access a broader selection of finishes and specifications.
Jack Parks, head of Route 1 Print, said: “Stickers and labels have become a major area of growth for Route 1 Print, and 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.
ABG said the DigiLase Duo represents a significant development in digital finishing technology.
Mark Norman, ABG’s technical director, said: “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.”
Route 1 Print also highlighted sustainability benefits associated with the new equipment. Through ABG Connect workflow software, job changes can be optimised to reduce waste and material usage.
Mark Young, managing director of Route 1 Print, said: “ABG has been a fantastic partner throughout this investment. From the early planning stages through to installation and ongoing support, their team has worked closely with us to ensure the new DigiLase Duo and Dual Bar DigiJet setup was delivered smoothly and integrated effectively into our production environment.”
The latest investment follows a period of expansion within Route 1 Print’s stickers and labels portfolio. During the past year, the company has introduced new materials, specialist finishing options and machine-applied reel specifications, alongside updates to its online ordering process and the launch of an AI-powered Custom Shape Proofing Tool aimed at simplifying artwork preparation for print resellers.
