Kumar Labels, an Indian label supplier, continually invests in technology to improve its processes to reduce waste, cost and production time and improve quality. The printer’s recent installation of the Guardian OLP Offline Proofing and Inspection system (OLP) from Baldwin Technology’s Vision Systems division has met demand for these goals.

Located in a 20,000-square-foot facility in Greater Noida, near New Delhi, Kumar Labels is part of the Kumar Printers Pvt. Ltd. family, with a long-established reputation for high-quality paper board packaging.

In 2007, Anuj Bhargava founded Kumar Labels to provide consistent label quality, quick delivery and reasonable prices. Its roster of high-profile customers includes global brands such as Nestle, 3M and Bausch and Lomb. Kumar Printer offers a broad portfolio of products ranging from holograms, labels and stamping foils, to security inks, multiple layer labels, and a variety of printing techniques to help its customers execute brand protection and enhancement strategies.

Baldwin Technology’s Guardian OLP system verifies that the files used for production – or the beginning-of-run press samples – match the customer-approved master file 100%. By comparing prepress files or scanned press samples to the customer-approved original in a matter of seconds, advanced software automatically locates and highlights even the smallest of differences in print quality.

The system can compare one-up electronic files or scans to multi-up electronic files or scans, and instantly detect printing defects such as missing or extra print, prepress errors, plate defects and color variations.

“We had underestimated the need of automating a first print verification system,” says Anuj Bhargava, Kumar Labels’ managing director. “Post installation of this device, we have been able to pre-detect even small defects before the print commences. Moreover, as a new practice, we now inspect a sheet from every roll to verify the print quality. This has further reduced the load on our final inspection machines further in the process. I highly recommend the label fraternity to adopt this technology. Moreover, Baldwin’s service support has been impeccable. We look forward to adding these devices to our Goa and Indore units too.”

Raj Rana, regional sales manager for Baldwin Vision Systems, adds that implementation of the Guardian OLP system at Kumar Label follows successful installations at Shriram Veritech Solutions, Pragati Graphics Pvt. Ltd., Zircon (in two plants) and Centurion Forms.

“The Indian print market is taking notice of the productivity gains and waste savings being realized by some of the region’s most prestigious and technology-driven print facilities,” Rana says.