2011 – an epic year of chilli growing failure

Posted by Adrian on Nov 6, 2011 in business, Labels | 0 comments   thats it – my final crop from 80 plants in 2011… Since I potted out all of my 80 chilli plants in May from the original batch, we have had a pretty cool summer, and it has not been a good year for chilli growing.  After a first small crop, the indian summer produced a second and final crop that I cut today before the frosts set in – its pictured above.  Compared to...
read more

Recycling resources for label industry waste in the UK

Posted by Adrian on Oct 24, 2011 in A C Labels, Labels, Open Source | 0 comments   I have blogged for years on the problems facing the labels industry in managing its waste streams, and to a large degree most of the problems are  still here, but getting closer to a solution. This is a summary of the options as far as I know:   Siliconised glassine paper release liner (“backing paper”) – this cannt be recycled with normal paper as you need a...
read more

We will be presenting new data on digital label printing at the BPIF Digital Label Printing Event on 2 November

Posted by Adrian on Oct 21, 2011 in Labels | 0 comments We are delighted to announce that Mercian Labels have been asked to present at the digital label printing technical workshop run by BPIF Labels on 2 November in Daventry, UK. Along with the usual suspects  from Xeikon, Xaar, HP, LabelTrax, UPM Raflatac, AB Graphics & Esko Artwork, we will be one of 2 digital labelling specialists presenting. To add a bit of variety to the agenda, we will be...
read more

£1000 bounty for introducing us to our new Operations Manager… | #labels #jobs

Posted by Adrian on Oct 20, 2011 in business, Labels | 0 comments We are seeking to make a strategic appointment for our Cannock Operation by appointing a talented rising star in the labels/packaging industry to a new post of Operations Manager. If you know of a suitable candidate who we should talk to through your network, then please email adrian.steele@mercianlabels.com with their name and we will do the rest. If you are the first person to nominate them...
read more

We have upgraded our Xeikon Digital Label Printing press to the newest and fastest 3300 version!

Posted by Adrian on Oct 7, 2011 in business, Labels, press releases | 0 comments   We were delighted to announce at last week that we have invested in the latest and fastest Xeikon 3300 digital labelling press to further bolster our digital labelling capabilities for our 9000 UK business customers. This new press is fast, productive, fantastic 1200dpi quality, has excellent colour matching, it is solvent free & environmentally friendly as it can be recycled, and uses...
read more

Comparison of HP, UV Inkjet and Xeikon digitally printed label images exposed to sunlight

Posted by Adrian on Oct 6, 2011 in innovative labels, Labels | 0 comments At last weeks Label Expo 2011 a poster caught my eye, comparing the pigment fading of the 3 principal digital label printing technologies in an easy to see and understand way, the best comparison I have seen to date.  Put simply it showed the same image printed at the same time using 3 different processes (HP Indigo solvent based liquid toner, UV cured inkjet inks used by Xaar, Konica Minolta...
read more

We are attending the BPIF Digital Printing for labels Seminar #in #bpiflabels

Posted by Adrian on Oct 5, 2011 in business, Labels | 0 comments We will be attending the digital label printing technical workshop run by BPIF Labels in Daventry, UK, on 2 November 2011.  It looks like a really good day for those in the UK labels industry to meet up and discuss a really important trend towards increased digital labelling, and one that we have just again invested into. Speakers include Xeikon, Xaar, HP, LabelTrax, UPM Raflatac, AB Graphics...
read more

#Labelexpo 2011 review

Posted by Adrian on Oct 3, 2011 in A C Labels, business, innovative labels, Labels, Security Labels | 2 comments   LabelExpo 2011 is the world biggest labelling show   Last week I was at the biggest Labelling show in the world, Label expo in Brusells, Belgium.  It was a fantastic event, certainly the best of the 6 Label Expos I have been too.  This is a review of my thoughts on the show and developments relevant to our customers and marketplaces in the same manner in which I did for the...
read more

3D digital printing … of shoes #ppma

Posted by Adrian on Sep 27, 2011 in business, Labels | 0 comments Whilst visiting the PPMA and TCT Rapid prototyping show at the NEC today I came across this from Clarks Shoes – 3D printed shoes, I kid you not!  They even have a version that is flexible like a real trainer.   a fantastically detailed 3D printed ladies shoe This is quite fantastic!  Actually they use 3D printing or “additive manufacturing” to design shoes in the UK,...
read more

#Labelexpo special machine sale Newfoil 5000 MKII Hotfoil label printing machine for sale

Posted by Adrian on Sep 23, 2011 in business, Labels | 0 comments Its time to free up some space in our short run labelling division factory, so we have for sale one of our most reliable presses. Specification Newfoil 5000 MKII hotfoil label printing machine in full working order, serviced and maintained exclusively by Newfoil since new. Serial Number 1479, manufactured Nov 1993 Electrical supply 240volt AC, frequency 50-60Hz external fuse 20amp min. 30amp...
read more

Most Wanted Label Technologies Published

Posted by Adrian on Sep 7, 2011 in innovative labels, Labels | 0 comments     Our Label Innovations Division has published a list of the top 5 MOST WANTED label innovation solutions.  You can read  them here or meet me at Label Expo to...
read more

#Labelexpo 2011 later this month looks exciting!

Posted by Adrian on Sep 6, 2011 in A C Labels, Labels, Security Labels | 0 comments Its an exciting time again for those in the world of labelling and narrow web packaging, as its time for the biennial Labelexpo show in Brussels later this month. As always we expect to see a lot of exciting new technology launches, some product line refreshes and a bit of the “same as always” offerings from some suppliers. The core innovations in the digital space from Xeikon and HP...
read more

Mercian Labels are hiring!

Posted by lynne on Sep 1, 2011 in business, Labels | 0 comments Business is looking up, and we are hiring 4 posts: New Product Development Manager A Procurement Contractor (Temporary) Consultant in UK Field Label Sales Label Printing Factory Apprentice Should you be interested in any of the above positions please click on the respective link for more...
read more

Mercian Labels is attending the Cannock Job Fayre

Posted by Adrian on Aug 26, 2011 in business | 0 comments As a employer of many local people in Cannock, we will be supporting the first Cannock Jobs fair and look forwad to meeting people there.  Details below: “As the local MP, many employers tell me they are looking to take on new people, either right now or in the near future, but that they do not know how best to meet those in search of a job. “Yet at the same time many local...
read more

New makeover of our short run labelling website

Posted by Adrian on Aug 23, 2011 in Labels | 0 comments We have just overhauled our www.selfadhesivelabels.com website dedicated to the UK short run labels market with a new homepage and side navigation to include a twitter feed on every page.  Any comments would be appreciated below!  
read more