We are in an age of hyper-personalisation, where consumers are seeking products that are personalised to their specification regardless of price. In fact, according to a recent study by Deloitte, 1 in 5 consumers who expressed an interest in personalised products were willing to pay a 20% premium to secure their goods. With this being the case, one area where brands are getting innovative is personalised packaging. In the personalised packaging market one name that shines bright is SAM Cases, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of bespoke flight, transportation, and protective cases for all applications.
Established in 1995, SAM Cases has quickly become one of the leading flight case manufacturers, supplying clients such as BAE Systems, CX Auto Group, ITV, the NHS, Smith Myers Communications Ltd, Starlink, and Qinetiq.
As it has grown, SAM Cases has continued to expand its printing capabilities to match the expectations of their customers. The packaging personalisation giant now provides digital vinyl printing, flatbed UV printing, screen printing, mould labelling, and vinyl case wrapping.
Roland DG has played an essential role in SAM Cases’expansion into personalised branding and graphics services over the past two years, with the packaging manufacturer relying on both the Roland DG VersaUV LEC2 S-Series flatbed printer for its UV printing needs, whilst utilising the VersaUV LEC2-640 for all vinyl printing related enquiries.
SAM Cases’ Managing Director, Mathew Addy, explained that “As an established and expanding business, we wanted to move all our printing in-house - and who better to do it with than Roland DG. The Roland DG machines, especially the S-Series, enable faster turnarounds due to UV technology, allow us to print above the standard CMYK colour gamut, and print onto virtually any surface - giving us the ability to create totally bespoke packaging.”
Robust graphics
Roland DG’s VersaUV S-Series was the ideal choice for Mathew given the nature of SAM Cases’ work. The ECO-UV 5 inks used by the machine dry immediately under low-temperature LED lamps, making graphics more robust, whilst making flatbed printing a quick and easy way to add corporate branding or personalisation to any case.
“Roland DG’s state-of-the-art UV printing technology has not only revolutionised the way that our cases look, but also made the graphics printed onto the cases more robust. The UV prints last longer than alternative methods and mean that our customers hardly have to come back to us due to colour fading or damage.”
Moving forward
By using the LEC2 Roll-to-Roll UV printer, SAM Cases has access to the Roland DG ‘take up system’, which allows users to wind up printed material automatically and manage unmanned production with maximum efficiency.
The system includes a convenient front-mounted take-up roller and an advanced tension-controlled take-up unit for optimum media feeding and tracking. This tool has given SAM Cases the ability to save on labour and man hours whilst running longer monitored runs - having a massive cost-saving impact as businesses struggle with costs amid a tough economic landscape.
Speaking on the cost-saving benefits of the printer, Mathew said: “Roland DG are constantly looking out for their customers, with products that are efficient, and environmentally considerate. But, it doesn’t stop there! From my personal experience I have found that the thoughtful approach to service extends post-sales, with Roland DG’s aftercare team only ever being a phone call away. Moving forward, I look to keep growing alongside Roland DG - another great Bristol-based business.”