Print service provider and self-described print geek Leon Wilson, from Ballarat based Revolution Print, lit up LIVE with an inspiring story of transforming the general offset jobbing printer into an advanced digital set-up.
Then six months ago Revolution took the step to begin digital label printing, with Wilson taking the time to understand what the market really needed, and setting up his digital label printing arm accordingly.
He gave as much, if not more, thought to the workflow as to the production kit, which was the AccurioLabel 230 from Konica Minolta, with GM converting unit. He set up a full digital workflow, with 24/7 ordering through the online set-up. All the software was ready when the press arrived. He had also bought 50 finishing dies, and had ordered in a full range of labelstocks and laminates, and worked out the pricing. He also created a clever marketing campaign, which highlighted in visual terms what could be achieved with the new inhouse label printing system.
He had clearly thought through the entire project well, it took just a month to get it up and running. A typical new customer was the micro-winery that needed just 600 labels for its 600 bottles of wine. Wilson said while that was a small order, that winery owner then told his friends and fellow winery owners, who then came in and ordered their own labels. Wilson said, “We are printing their dream.”
Revolution is now supplying digitally printed labels to a growing range of customers, some from his existing clients, some new to the company, including many SMEs in the emerging foods and products areas who wanted short-run on demand high quality rolls of labels.
Wilson said he doesn’t have a sales team, he has customer educators, and says he cultivates a culture of motivation within his staff. His enthusiasm for print, and considered, data-driven approach to developing his business and serving the market was evident, and inspiring to the LIVE audience.
