When you're managing thousands of SKUs or launching products with custom designs, label printing can quickly become a logistical nightmare. Traditional flexo printing machines are built for uniformity and volume, but what happens when your job demands speed, flexibility, and variation? That’s where things get sticky.
At SnapPress, we’ve seen this challenge play out time and again. In this post, we’re diving into a real client scenario—one where our SnapPress LP-1 stepped in as a smarter, faster alternative to flexo printing.
With 200,000 labels on the line and a wide range of color palette variations, the LP-1 delivered exactly what the client needed: print performance that keeps pace with the real world.
Body:
What is Flexo Printing?
Flexo printing is traditionally favored for high-volume label jobs thanks to the technology behind it. A flexo printing machine uses custom plates, one for each color in a design, that stamp ink onto the material in precise layers to produce a final image. While this method is efficient for long runs of identical labels, it’s naturally rigid. Once the plates are made, there’s little room for on-the-fly adjustments or design variations.
That specificity is what makes flexo ideal for uniform, large-scale projects—but it’s also its biggest limitation. When it comes to short runs or jobs with varying color palettes, flexo falls short.
Despite its strengths in volume, there are several drawbacks to using flexo over a digital solution:
- Not practical for short-run or variable jobs
- Frequent downtime for plate changes and cleaning
- Waste generated from single-use plates
- Requires skilled operators to manage setup and calibration
In scenarios where speed, flexibility, and variation matter, flexo printing just can’t keep up.
Whose Better For the Job? The SnapPress LP-1 vs. A Flexo Printing Machine
Because this job involved multiple color palettes and SKUs, running it on a traditional flexo printing machine would’ve been a logistical nightmare. The client would have needed custom plates for each variation, resulting in significant downtime between runs, along with added labor and material costs. The delays alone would have made the project more expensive and far less efficient.
That’s why the SnapPress LP-1 was the clear choice. As a digital label solution, the SnapPress LP-1 makes it easy to print multiple color palettes with speed and precision, no plates, no problem!
Users can simply upload their designs, set quantities, and queue jobs directly from the interface. There’s no downtime for switching plates or cleaning between runs. The SnapPress LP-1 handles everything automatically, so production keeps moving. Don’t just take our word for it, check out our online guide and see how easy it is to run the LP-1.
Flexibility Matters More Than Ever
Flexo printing is great for high-volume, one-size-fits-all jobs. But when you need flexibility, speed, and the ability to handle multiple color palettes on demand, digital printing is the way to go. As we saw in this example, the SnapPress LP-1 outshines a flexo printing machine by eliminating downtime, handling variations with ease, and keeping your job moving without the headaches. In short, the LP-1 is really the digital printing solution that puts the flex in flexibility.
For print shops already running a flexo setup, now is the perfect time to expand your fleet with a digital solution. Adding the LP-1 to your lineup gives you the versatility to take on short runs, custom jobs, and last-minute requests. Ready to see the SnapPress LP-1 in action? Book a demo today!
It's a SNAP! to Get Started
Get an exclusive look at the SnapPress LP-1 and schedule your personalized demo today
