中文Route 1 Print, one of the UK’s most dynamic trade printers, has announced a significant expansion of its sticker and labels division through a strategic £2 million investment programme that has unfolded over the past 12 months. The centerpiece of this latest phase is the installation of two advanced finishing systems from AB Graphic (ABG): the DigiLase Duo and the Dual Bar DigiJet. These installations represent more than just new equipment—they signal Route 1 Print’s ambitious vision to become the go-to destination for premium label and sticker production in the UK and beyond.
The Rotherham-based trade printer, which operates from an impressive 27,871 square metre manufacturing facility, has seen remarkable growth since its founding in 2012 as part of the Bluetree Group. The company’s sticker and labels division has become a major area of expansion, driven by increasing demand from sectors including food and drink, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Recognising that customers are seeking more sophisticated, premium label solutions, Route 1 Print has moved decisively to upgrade its capabilities.
The DigiLase Duo is a technological marvel in the world of digital label finishing. Equipped with two independent 400W laser heads, the system delivers exceptionally fast cutting speeds while maintaining the precision required for intricate custom shapes, decal-style products, and shorter-run work. The dual-laser configuration provides full hardware redundancy—a critical feature for high-volume trade printers where downtime translates directly into lost revenue. This redundancy ensures that production can continue even if one laser head requires maintenance, providing Route 1 Print with the reliability its trade customers demand.
Perhaps even more transformative is the Dual Bar DigiJet, which brings digital embellishment capabilities that were previously the domain of much larger, more specialised operations. The system enables spot varnish, foiling, and tactile effects to be applied in a single pass, allowing for Spot UV-style detailing that makes labels stand out on the shelf. The addition of a thermal laminator module further enhances the system’s versatility, bringing thermal lamination directly into the production workflow and eliminating the need for offline lamination processes.
Jack Parks, Head of Route 1 Print, explained the strategic thinking behind the investment: “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.” For the company’s trade customers—resellers who depend on Route 1 Print for high-quality, competitively priced products—the new capabilities open up entirely new market segments.
The ability to offer short-run, high-quality labels with fast turnarounds and competitive trade pricing gives resellers a compelling value proposition to present to their end customers. In an era where brands are increasingly seeking smaller batch sizes, faster time-to-market, and more customised packaging, Route 1 Print’s expanded capabilities position the company at the forefront of these trends.
Mark Young, managing director of Route 1 Print, praised the partnership with ABG, describing the company as a “fantastic partner” over the nine months of planning, installation, and ongoing support. The collaboration highlights an important trend in the printing industry: the most successful equipment investments are those where the supplier acts as a true partner, understanding the customer’s business model and production requirements.
This latest investment builds on previous expansions of the labels division, which has seen Route 1 Print add labels supplied on reels, decals, custom shapes and sizes, and new materials including transparent and silver metallic polypropylene to its product range. The company also previously installed an ABG Digicon Lite and HP Indigo technology as part of an earlier £1 million investment in the stickers and labels division.
The label printing industry is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, driven by digital printing technologies that enable shorter runs, faster turnarounds, and greater customization. As brands seek to differentiate themselves in increasingly crowded markets, the demand for premium labels with sophisticated finishing effects is growing. Route 1 Print’s investment in laser cutting and digital embellishment positions the company to capture a significant share of this growing market, offering trade customers capabilities that would be prohibitively expensive for many to invest in independently.
Looking ahead, Route 1 Print appears well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory. The combination of scale, technological sophistication, and a customer-centric approach has served the company well since its founding, and the latest investments suggest that the company is not content to rest on its achievements. As the label and packaging printing industry continues to evolve, Route 1 Print is clearly intent on remaining at the cutting edge.
Source: Printweek
