Label Insights

ABG delivers automation to transform label and package finishing

James Brennan, ABG Connect Product Manager, explains how label converters can reach high-quality finishing with reduced reliance on skilled operators.

Released By A B Graphic International Inc.

July 14, 2025

Automation has become one of the hottest trends in the label and package printing industry. A B Graphic International has served as a leader in the space, delivering tools to help label converters produce high-quality finishing with reduced reliance on skilled operators. To learn more about automation in the label space, L&NW sat down with James Brennan, ABG Connect Product Manager.

L&NW: How has automation made its impact on the label industry?

JB: Automation has vastly transformed the label industry, offering essential relief for manufacturers facing modern production challenges. As the sector deals with ongoing staff shortages, increased demand for shorter production runs, and mounting pressure to cut waste and energy use, automation has become a revolutionary force. It simplifies complex processes, lessens dependence on highly skilled operators, and improves consistency and accuracy across the workflow. For label producers, this means more efficient operations, greater scalability, and the capacity to meet the expanding global demand for consumer goods with minimal delays or disruptions.

In particular, automated machinery makes label production more accessible to operators with less technical experience, lowering the barrier to entry while maintaining high-quality output. With automation, tasks that previously required manual effort, such as slitting, rewinding, diecutting, and embellishment, can now be carried out more quickly, accurately and with less waste. The result is a more responsive and agile industry, capable of adapting to changing customer demands and market trends.

L&NW: How has ABG served as a pioneer in automation?

JB: ABG has long been recognized as a frontrunner in label finishing automation, with a strong commitment to workflow innovation that dates back to the 2000s. This dedication has led us to introduce a wide range of automated hardware and software solutions that continue to set new standards for efficiency and performance.

Among ABG’s key innovations are file-driven, tool-free laser diecutting systems, alongside digital embellishment features such as cold foiling and spot varnishing. These enable converters to achieve high-end finishes without the traditional setup time or manual tooling, saving both time and material. We have also led the way in automated slitting, back scoring and turret rewinding processes, each designed to eliminate downtime and maximize throughput.

All these capabilities are unified through ABG Connect, our advanced workflow integration platform. By linking directly with a customer’s MIS (Management Information System), ABG Connect allows for complete job automation. Machines can set themselves up automatically, retrieving job files, adjusting parameters, and even performing quality checks without operator involvement. This level of integration and autonomy is unmatched in the industry, showcasing our leadership in intelligent, connected label finishing.

L&NW: How has feedback from customers shaped ABG’s R&D, and how does ABG prioritize partnerships with its customers?

JB: Customer input has always been at the center of ABG’s research and development process. One of the clearest examples of this collaborative approach is the development of ABG Connect. This powerful software solution was initially created in response to a UK customer’s vision of achieving fully “lights out” production, where printing and finishing processes operate entirely autonomously.

Over a two-year development period, we collaborated closely with the customer to design and deliver a fully integrated system, comprised of a dual flexo Digicon Series 3 press with an inline Vectra turret rewinder, all powered by ABG Connect. The result was a remarkable 74% increase in efficiency within the customer’s finishing department when running identical jobs before and after installation. This project not only met the customer’s needs but also laid the groundwork for future automation capabilities across our product range.

This example highlights our broader ethos that customers always drive innovation. Every new feature or development responds to real-world challenges and aims to provide tangible value on the production floor.

L&NW: What are the disadvantages of not using automation in a converter’s facility?

JB: Converters who choose not to invest in automation risk falling behind in both efficiency and competitiveness. Manual systems are generally slower, more prone to human error, and demand more downtime for setup and maintenance. Moreover, reliance on specialized staff can become a bottleneck, especially amid current labor shortages. Without automation, businesses may struggle to scale, meet shorter lead times, or compete on cost, all of which are increasingly vital in today’s fast-paced marketplace.

L&NW: What are some of ABG’s newest automated product launches and what benefits do they offer?

JB: We continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in label finishing. Recent launches include:

AutoSet Vectra Turret Rewinder: Fully compatible with ABG Connect, this innovative turret rewinder can automatically adjust cutting parameters and set itself up without operator input.
New DigiLase: Now featuring dual laser beams for quicker processing, this next-generation system enables jobs to be modified on the fly with minimal waste, again with full ABG Connect integration.
AMS (Automatic Matrix Stripping): Designed for use with the Digicon Series 3 and 4th Generation Converter, improving efficiency and reducing waste by automating matrix removal.

L&NW: What can customers expect to see at future events like ABG’s USA Open House, Labelexpo Europe, and more?

JB: Visitors to events like our automation-themed USA Open House or Labelexpo Europe can expect to see automation in action across various machine setups. For instance, at Labelexpo Europe in Barcelona, we will demonstrate an ABG Connect-powered DigiLite, designed as an entry-level yet automated solution.

Attendees to our USA Open House will also benefit from live demonstrations, customer testimonials, and insights into partnerships with top-tier integration partners such as Hybrid Software, Infigo, and CERM. As always, our presence at industry events highlights our commitment to listening to customers and providing future-focused, automation driven solutions that meet the evolving needs of label converters worldwide.