Printma Cuts Label Production Costs 60% After Installing Durst Tau 340 RSCE

A small Polish label printer is demonstrating how the right digital press can fundamentally transform operational economics.

Printma, based in Lublin, Poland, reports it has reduced production costs by 60% and increased output fourfold since installing a Durst Tau 340 RSCE in June 2025. For a five-person operation founded just four years ago, the shift marks a dramatic step change in both efficiency and competitiveness.

Owner Patrycjusz Mamczarz says the numbers are based on real production jobs, not projections. Since commissioning the new press, the company has printed four times more volume in several months than it produced over five years using its previous UV digital equipment.

Image source: labelsandlabeling

From UV Digital to Industrial-Grade Performance

Founded in 2021, Printma initially operated with UV digital printing technology. As customer demand grew—particularly for complex label designs, short runs and rapid turnaround—the limitations of earlier equipment became more pronounced.

Mamczarz evaluated multiple manufacturers before ultimately selecting the Tau 340 RSCE, following a visit to Durst’s headquarters in Brixen, Italy. The decision reflects a broader trend within the digital label sector: small and mid-sized converters upgrading to industrial-grade inkjet systems to remain competitive.

The result? Turnaround times have dropped dramatically. Printma now delivers certain jobs within one to two days—projects that competitors reportedly quote at 15 days.

In today’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and private-label markets, that speed differential is not incremental—it’s strategic.

Speed, Consistency and Substrate Versatility

Operating the press eight hours per day in a new production facility, Printma handles transparent, white and metallized label applications with what Mamczarz describes as full color consistency and repeatability.

For label printers, consistency is often as important as speed. Brand owners require accurate color reproduction across repeat orders, especially for regulated industries such as food, cosmetics and household products.

The Tau 340 RSCE’s performance appears to have addressed two core operational challenges:

1.Cost efficiency on short runs

2.Stable, repeatable color output

Together, these factors improve both margin and customer retention.

Why This Investment Matters for Small Converters

Printma’s experience highlights three broader shifts in the digital label printing market:

1. Short-Run Economics Are Reshaping Press Selection

Brand proliferation and SKU fragmentation demand faster changeovers and economical small batches.

2. Speed Is Becoming a Differentiator

Reducing lead times from weeks to days changes a printer’s market position.

3. Operational Stability Drives Owner Confidence

Mamczarz noted that production is now stable and predictable—an often-overlooked but critical advantage for small teams managing growth.

He credited LFP Industrial Solutions, Durst’s Polish distributor, for supporting a smooth installation process, including assistance from Grzegorz Zielinski and Adam Jablonowski during implementation.

Competitive Implications

The digital label segment has grown steadily in recent years, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe where regional converters are modernizing fleets to compete with Western European suppliers.

By reducing costs by 60%, Printma has significantly altered its pricing flexibility and margin structure. A fourfold production increase without expanding headcount suggests productivity gains are driven primarily by equipment capability rather than labor scaling.

For small print operations, that equation—higher throughput with minimal staffing expansion—can accelerate sustainable growth.

What Comes Next?

Printma, now operating with a five-person team, plans further equipment investments as its client base expands, largely through referrals.

That detail is telling. In print, referrals often follow reliability. Faster delivery and consistent output build reputation quickly in niche markets.

If similar performance gains are replicated by other regional converters upgrading to industrial digital presses, the competitive landscape for short-run label printing could shift rapidly over the next few years.

For now, Printma’s transformation illustrates a clear takeaway: in digital printing, capital investment is no longer just about capacity—it’s about structural cost advantage.

Source: Based on reporting from labelsandlabling