In December 2023, AAi Labels & Decals, located in Jonesboro, AR, USA, added its first digital narrow web press – the Domino N610i 7-color digital UV inkjet label press. AAi Labels & Decals was founded in 1969, opening its doors as Art Sign Company. Transitioning into screen-printed graphics in the 1970’s, the sign division was sold off in 1980 and the company became Art Advertising focusing solely on industrial labels and other screen-printed products. The company’s quick growth across a broader range of industries necessitated moving into a new building in 1985. Over the next decade, Art Advertising’s offering would expand to include flexographic roll labels and traditional offset printing, still catering to the needs of regional, industrial clients.

In 1995, Stacy and Gary Gestring purchased the business and began efforts to accelerate growth.  Their customer base expanded nationwide as they continued to add new products and services.

Today with over 28,000 square feet of production across two facilities, AAi Labels & Decals is one of the most diversified printing companies nationwide. And they continue to grow.  

L&NW caught up with owners Stacy and Gary Gestring to learn more about their business, the drivers for adding digital, and why they chose Domino. Stacy is president and oversees finance and production. Gary is vice president and oversees sales, purchasing, estimating, and HR.

L&NW: What are some of the strengths of AAi Labels & Decals? 
GG: We specialize in decals and labels for manufacturers. Our strength is in meeting custom requirements and outdoor durable markets. Our customers value our reliability in providing their labels and decals on time and within their high-quality requirements and specifications. Our key strength is our ability to solve our customers’ problems, whether it be a need for custom adhesive, creating decal kits, or fulfilment services. We’re committed to exceeding their expectations.

L&NW: What drove adding digital printing and why did you choose Domino?
SG: We have long recognized the value of digital printing for great color and ease of setup, and we are looking forward to the increased speed and variable data capabilities of the Domino. The Domino N610i is our first digital narrow web press. Domino was on our short list for its ink durability, high-resolution print, and wide color gamut. The great communication and responsiveness of the Domino team gave us the confidence to make the final purchase decision.

GG: We’ve been familiar with Domino for years, seeing them at trade shows and knowing their offering as a high-end piece of equipment, while hoping our increasing demand would justify having one.

L&NW: What excites you about this press?
GG: We are most excited by the greater efficiency and new markets we’ll be able to pursue with the Domino. We’ve been mainly focused on long term outdoor durable markets. The Domino will greatly increase our competitiveness in short term durability and consumer goods markets.

SG: We expect that the Domino will greatly reduce our production time on certain label lines, increasing productivity and improving profit margins. Our more recent investments were all in the screen department where we have the latest high speed rotary presses. Now, we anticipate the Domino N610i will bring our roll label department a huge leap forward and open up markets we’ve previously not had access to because our existing flexo equipment was too slow, or we had a cost disadvantage because we would need to outsource larger or full color roll label orders.  When considering the cost justification of the Domino, we looked at both, the improved efficiency we will gain from the orders we have been running through other processes, and the potential to grow into new markets. So, we are very excited with the installation of the Domino digital press.

L&NW: How was the installation and training?
SG: The press was installed in December, and we have been very pleased with Domino. The detailed scheduling of the install and training were impressive. When our team came back from Gurnee (Domino North America headquarters in Gurnee, IL) they said it was the best training they have ever received on a piece of equipment. While we are just getting the Domino up and running, we are confident their team is with us, and committed to our success and growth moving forward.

L&NW: What do you foresee as you look to the future?
GG: We have felt a comfort level with the Domino team, and a trust that they’ll be with us as a true partner to a level higher than we’ve experienced.

SG: While we’ve continually added new printing technologies and production types, we are more excited about the potential the Domino N610i has to propel our company to the next level, than any equipment purchase we’ve ever made.