Cover Label, North Hills, California, has installed a Domino N730i digital UV inkjet label press. This decision marks a milestone for the Los Angeles-based label converter, which has grown from a modest flexographic print shop into an operation serving diverse industries including food and beverage, cosmetics, health, and other consumer packaged goods.
Co-CEOs Pat Wafer and Ryder Fyrwald acquired the business, then known as Alros Label, seven years ago with the goal of transforming it into a modern label printing powerhouse.
“We were looking for a solid business to grow in the packaging space,” said Fyrwald. “Since then, we’ve rebranded as Cover Label, expanded into digital with Domino, added multiple flexographic presses, acquired Crown Label, and moved into a significantly larger warehouse.”
Today, Cover Label operates with a team of under 20 employees across staggered shifts, running one Domino digital press and four flexographic presses: a 17-inch Nilpeter FA7, a 13-inch Mark Andy 2200, a 7-inch Mark Andy 2200, and a Webtron 7550. Finishing capabilities include a Grafotronic laser die cutter.
Digital printing has become central to Cover Label’s value proposition. The company initially installed a Domino N610i in early 2020. “At the time, we were doing under a million in revenue and took a big risk investing in digital,” Pat explains. “But it paid off immediately. COVID created unexpected demand, and we doubled our business that year.”
The Domino digital press didn’t just serve short runs—it opened new doors. “We saw multi-SKU work driving demand,” says Wafer. “Having digital allowed us to win customers who later gave us flexo work, too.”
Their business has been growing at such an excellerated pace that Cover Label decided to transition to the Domino N730i.
“We went from 600 dpi to 1200 dpi, and from 25–30 meters per minute on the N610i, to 60–70 meters per minute on the N730i,” says Wafer. “That alone doubled our capacity. The improved resolution also lets us print small text and fine gradients with unmatched clarity.”
With enhanced capacity, Cover Label has shifted longer jobs to digital.
The Domino N730i also created new workflow opportunities. “We noticed our finishing equipment couldn’t keep up,” said Wafer. “We’re now adding a semi-rotary die cutter to complement the laser system.”
Looking ahead, Cover Label sees continued expansion, both in operations and technology. “We want to grow to full capacity, then expand outside of California,” says Fyrwald. “We’re also exploring other packaging formats like shrink sleeves, flexible packaging, and folding cartons.”
https://boardconvertingnews.com/rrd-debuts-enhanced-label-performance-center/
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