Barcom Industries (India) reduces ink waste and boosts colour quality

Mr Prasanna Sahu, and Mr Rajesh K Gawde with a GSE Colorsat

Barcom Industries (India) reduces ink waste and boosts colour quality

– Press Release –

Barcom Industries (India) reduces ink waste and boosts colour quality, with GSE’s Colorsat Match dispenser

Perfect Proofer™ from Print Proof Solutions also part of major investment at leading Indian label converter

Brummen, The Netherlands, 17 October, 2018: Label converter Barcom Industries Ltd, of Vasai, India, has significantly reduced ink-related waste and has improved quality consistency after installing a Colorsat Match automated ink dispensing system from GSE Dispensing along with a Perfect Proofer™ tabletop ink proofing system from Print Proof Solutions.

Barcom manufactures self-adhesive labels, tags, pouches and specialty products including barcodes, QR and security labels, and re-closures. Its markets include pharmaceuticals, chemicals, industrial lubricants, textiles, spirits, beverages, and other retail products. The company handles production runs from 5,000 to 10 million labels, using eight Mark Andy flexo presses, a Mark Andy Digital One press and extensive finishing capabilities.

Barcom had relied on a manual method, using PANTONE®Formula Guides and ink suppliers’ databases for preparing colours, but this led to significant waste. Meeting customers’ quality expectations was time-consuming and labour intensive, and it was virtually impossible to reuse ink left over after each job. The company therefore chose to automate its ink logistics to eliminate waste and handle more and longer jobs precisely, without any delay.

“On average, we mix 2000 to 2500kg of ink each month,” Mr. Prasanna Sahu, chairman, Barcom Industries, explained. “Since installing Colorsat Match from GSE Dispensing and Perfect Proofer, we have better control of waste and have cut our ink waste from five per cent to about one per cent. That’s an 80 per cent reduction!

“Other advantages include ease of use for the operator, user-friendly software, barcoded job tickets, increased control of ink use and inventory, and automatic cleaning.” Mr. Sahu added. “Colour matching repeat formulations is easy and accurate.”

The Colorsat Match dispensing system can be used for flexo, gravure and screen inks and will automatically mix precise formulations and quantities, from up to 20 base components, in minutes. The easy re-use of press-return inks improves ink yields, and the system contributes to a cleaner ink kitchen and improved stock management.

Colour formulation software, the dispenser and proofer together form an efficient closed-loop for achieving colour quality. The colour formulation software generates the recipe, then a small quantity of ink is dispensed by the Colorsat Match. A draw-down is then taken on the Perfect Proofer, a tabletop system that replicates the conditions of the flexo press. If colour and tonal results conform to the job card, the formula is saved to the system. Otherwise, ink formula adjustments are made, finally checked with the proofer, and stored for easy recall on the database.

Mr Prasanna Sahu, Chairman Barcom Industries Ltd (left) and Mr Rajesh K Gawde, Director Arcadia Associates (right) with the Perfect Proofer

“Using the Perfect Proofer, we can mimic the characteristics of individual presses: anilox, plate characteristics and pressure,” Mr. Sahu explained. “We can proof jobs before printing without having to ink-up the press and use press time. This is especially good for long runs, and we can also proof jobs in advance, saving time and money.”

Mr. Sahu believes it was the right decision to adopt Colorsat Match and the Perfect Proofer™ together, as they complement each other.

“We are seeing tremendous monthly ink savings and have significantly reduced ink preparation time. Our ink kitchen is clean and well-organised and we have reduced the storage space. At the same time, we have increased press capacities, and experienced easy repeatability of accurate formulations,” Mr. Sahu concluded.

GSE Dispensing is represented in India by Arcadia Associates, based in Mumbai, which provides a local point of contact for sales and service.