中文APD Printing, a trade sheetfed printer based in Brantford, Ontario, has installed a second HP Indigo 18K digital press, a move the company says will double its order processing capacity while eliminating downtime during preventive and corrective maintenance. The investment reflects continued demand for high-quality digital printing across a range of commercial and packaging applications.
A Growing Canadian Print Business
APD Printing was founded in 2001 and operates a 30,000-square-foot plant with more than 50 employees. The company’s portfolio spans business cards, stationery, presentation folders, calendars, labels, boxes, packaging, and, more recently, custom apparel. Annual sales are reported in the $12 million-plus range, placing it among the larger independent commercial printers in the region.
The company specializes in gang-run sheetfed printing and operates Wholesale Pocket Folders, a focused product line. Its customer base includes businesses that need quick turnaround, consistent color, and the flexibility to handle multiple jobs simultaneously. The HP Indigo platform has been central to that value proposition.
Why a Second Press Matters
Adding a second identical press is a different kind of investment than buying a first digital machine. The first press proves the technology and builds demand. The second press removes constraints. With two HP Indigo 18K systems, APD Printing can continue production on one press while the other undergoes maintenance. It can also run multiple jobs at the same time without compromising color consistency or delivery schedules.
The HP Indigo 18K is designed for high-speed digital printing with precise, consistent color. For APD Printing, the second unit means the company can reliably adhere to delivery timelines while handling increased demand. In a market where customers increasingly expect next-day or same-day turnaround, redundancy and capacity are competitive advantages.
What It Signals About the Market
APD Printing’s expansion is a small but telling data point in the ongoing shift toward digital production in commercial printing. While offset remains dominant for very long runs, digital continues to capture work characterized by shorter runs, variable data, and faster turnaround. The ability to produce business cards, labels, and packaging on the same digital platform gives converters like APD Printing operational flexibility that is difficult to replicate with traditional equipment.
The investment also suggests confidence in the HP Indigo ecosystem. Print providers do not buy second presses unless the first one has performed commercially. For HP, APD Printing’s order is the kind of customer validation that matters more than any marketing claim.
Source: printcan.com — “APD Printing Installs Second HP Indigo Press”
