Swanline launches Fast-Track litho-laminating service

Swanline Print, the packaging and point-of-sale trade supplier, has launched a new quick-turnaround service for new and repeat litho-laminated jobs.

The Staffordshire-based company, which employs around 75 staff, will turn around jobs in five to seven working days via the new Fast-Track service, which was developed over three months of "stealth trials" with key materials and trade print suppliers.

The company subcontracts all of its litho printing to external suppliers, and also offers screen printing in-house.

Swanline’s typical turnaround time for jobs is 10-12 working days, depending on volume and the number of processes involved.

The company, which last year named former DS Smith Packaging chief executive Bob McLellan as a non-executive director, has changed some of its internal processes for the new service, and a dedicated member of staff will monitor FastTrack jobs.

Once a potential order is identified, Swanline will agree a "critical path" for the job with external suppliers before informing the customer. The targeted turnaround time of five to seven working days includes everything from artwork preparation, PDF proof approval and materials supply, through to laminating, die-cutting, gluing and delivery.

Swanline managing director Nick Kirby said the ability to offer "ground-breaking lead times" when required was essential in a "demanding and ever-changing market".

The company was formed in 2001 and operates out of two sites, one housing its screen-print operation and the other its large-format and design facilities.

Its equipment includes an Automatan Model EM large-format litho-laminating machine, which has a maximum sheet size of 2,030mm x 3,050mm and can spot position a label onto a regular glued seam carton.

In August it installed a Bickers Gluejet 17.25 X/Y geometric pattern gluer, as part of a £300,000 investment in its finishing department which also includes a Mosca pallet press line with Mytho stretch wrapper.