The Skelmersdale, Lancashire-based printer installed the 350mm wide press at the end of November together with a completely new pre-press facility, comprising a purpose-built room and a Degraf Concept 201 Platemaking System.

Sturdy Labels, which already had a 250mm-wide Edale Beta, specified the FL-3 with a number of additional options including turnbar, delam/relam, cold foil, lamination, variable length sheeting and a delivery table.

The investment will allow the £3m turnover company to venture further into the film and flexible packaging markets, thanks to the FL-3's ability to print a high-density, optically bright white ink on a range of substrates from 12-450 micron.

Sturdy Labels operations manager Phil Cummings said: "Along with Edale and our specialist ink manufacturer, we have developed a high quality opaque white print, which is of particular advantage in the personal care sector.

"Here again, the FL-3's capability to handle low-calliper unsupported film is of appreciable benefit to our future plans."

The decision to invest in the firm's second Edale press followed a two-year hunt for the right machine, which kicked off at Labelexpo Europe 2011 where the FL-3 had its debut.

Simon Sturdy, managing director of the 35-staff print business, said: "We looked at and demonstrated many different machines but decided to go with the Edale FL-3 due to the quick turnaround, fast job changes and minimal ink and material waste."

Cummings added: "Being a previous customer, we have had firsthand experience, not only with the quality of machine but with Edale's customer service and support - Edale having the second office in Manchester was an added bonus for us."