Labelnet, a UK manufacturer of self-adhesive labels, tickets and tags, has transformed its operations with digital printing technology, growing from zero digital production in 2020 to around 40% of its total output today.
A dedicated flexographic printing business for more than 25 years, Labelnet began developing its digital printing capabilities in 2020, investing in a Domino N610i digital label press after identifying growing demand for shorter-run, faster-turnaround work.
Rob Lorkins, Managing Director, Labelnet, remembers: “Introducing the first Domino machine in 2020, we were able to really change our business quite drastically… We quite quickly branched out, bringing studio work in-house and a new set of skills and expertise into the business. It’s a great operational benefit for us to have that flexibility, and we’re able to adapt to customer requirements on the spot.”
The adoption of digital printing technology enabled Labelnet to shorten product turnaround times from weeks to days or even hours. The additional capacity helped the converter to expand beyond food labels into the chemical and beverage sectors, while broadening its production capabilities for embellished, foiled, variable data, and multi-layer labels.
Labelnet’s versatility in combining digital printing with flexographic finishing processes was recognised in 2025, when Labelnet’s ‘Noah Knows Best’ peel-and-reveal beer label for Hackney Church Brewery won the Digital Labels & Packaging ‘Excellence with Hybrid Printing’ Award.
Going digital has also created opportunities for skills development within Labelnet’s existing workforce, as well as attracting new talent.
Lorkins comments: “We’ve brought in a lot of younger people who have adapted to the technology very quickly, and we feel like that trend will continue.”
Facing growing customer demand for high-quality, digitally printed labels, the company recently installed a second Domino press, the high-performance Domino N730i, adding high-resolution printing at up to 1200dpi to Labelnet’s capabilities and unlocking new label applications.
The investment enables high-speed digital label production at up to 90 metres per minute, improving operational efficiency. Real-time inline raster image processing (RIP) onboard the N730i’s Sunrise DFE allows artwork files, including those incorporating variable data, to be processed as they print, reducing the need for pre-processing and helping minimise idle time.
Craig Clawson, Sales Manager, Domino Printing Sciences, says: “Labelnet’s investment in a second Domino press reflects the success it has achieved since embracing digital production. With the speed and 1200dpi print quality of the N730i, the company is well positioned to support continued growth, faster turnaround times, and new application opportunities. We’re delighted to continue to support the Labelnet team in doing more for their customers as they build on that success.”
Watch the video to hear from Rob Lorkins and the Labelnet team about the company’s move into digital printing and its investment in the Domino N730i digital label press.
Find out more about Domino’s digital colour label presses here.