LabelHero: A Family Business Success Story Powered by Durst Tau Technology

The digital label printing market is experiencing robust growth, with 66% of package printer respondents expecting an increase in digital print sales over the next 24 months, according to a NAPCO Research study released at the Digital Packaging Summit in November 2024. This surge in digital adoption is driven by the technology’s ability to meet the evolving demands of modern brands, offering faster turnaround times, cost-effective short runs, and enhanced customization capabilities.

Born from the Januszewski and Green family’s entrepreneurial spirit, LabelHero in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, is a prime example of a company capitalizing on this trend. Originally an in-plant operation, LabelHero has evolved into a standalone business that also services the family’s other companies. This transformation happened in one short year and was significantly bolstered by the family’s strategic investment in advanced digital printing technology, specifically the Durst Tau 330 RSC E printer.

Born From Need

The origins of the in-plant operation started with Kobi Tools, the family’s 20-year-old diamond tool company. The printing operation shifted into high gear as the family responded to a societal need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tom Januszewski, president of LabelHero, explains, “We started as an in-plant operation to support our cleaning product business.”

The pandemic isn’t so far in the rear-view window that the supply chain struggles have faded from Tom’s or his brother Jerry’s memory. The need for reliable and quick packaging prompted the family to move packaging manufacturing in house.

Jerry Januszewski, vice president of LabelHero, recalls, “We started making our own boxes, which led to making our own bottles, and eventually printing our own labels.”

Initially, the team used a flatbed inkjet printer. However, rising demands pushed the brothers toward a more robust solution.

The Search for a New Solution

The Januszewski brothers’ search for the right technology began with extensive online research, including watching videos on YouTube to understand the capabilities of various digital presses, including most digital printers on the market including Durst Tau platforms.

It was game over once the brothers saw the Durst Tau technology in person. Jerry recalls, “The first time we saw the Durst was at Label Expo last year.”

Seeing the Durst Tau 330 RSC in action at an industry trade show allowed the brothers to experience the machine’s capabilities and performance firsthand. This live demonstration was instrumental in convincing them that the Durst Tau 330 RSC was the right press for their needs. “When we actually saw the machine in person, we saw the quality and the speed,” Jerry says. “We definitely felt that was the right machine for us.”

Speed, Versatility, and Support

The Durst Tau RSC Platform offers LabelHero a range of features that ensure high-resolution printing, speed, versatility, and efficiency. These features make the 1200dpi UV inkjet printing platform ideal for businesses looking to enhance their production capabilities.

High-Resolution Printing and Speed

The Durst Tau RSC platform delivers exceptional print quality with a native resolution of 1200x1200 dpi and a minimum drop size of 2 picoliters. This ensures sharp, detailed prints that meet the high standards of LabelHero’s customers.

Additionally, the Durst Tau 330 RSC’s ability to digitally print UV inkjet with a print width of 13" and a printing speed of up to 262 ft. per minute significantly boosts productivity.

Noting the real-world benefits of this speed, Tom says, “Sometimes, we’ve had our employees come to us saying, ‘We ran out of labels. We need these labels.’ Thirty minutes later, those guys have the labels on the floor and are ready to go.”

Versatile Ink Options

The Durst Tau RSC platform supports two main types of inks: Tau RSC UV and Tau RSC Low Migration UV inks. These inks are designed for a wide range of applications, from industrial and electronics labels to food, beverage, and pharmaceutical packaging. The UV inks offer excellent light fastness and chemical resistance, while the Low Migration UV inks ensure compliance with industry regulations for sensitive applications.

Advanced Features for Efficiency

The platform includes several features that enhance efficiency, increase printing capacity, and reduce maintenance time, including automatic print head cleaning, automated nozzle compensation and solid machine construction for 24/7 operation. These features allow LabelHero to meet tight deadlines and handle urgent customer requests.

Durst Software Ecosystem

The Durst software ecosystem, including Durst Workflow Label and Durst Analytics, plays a crucial role in optimizing LabelHero’s operations. Durst Workflow Label streamlines prepress, color management and print production processes, while Durst Analytics provides valuable insights into production data.

“The Durst Workflow Label software has really helped us streamline our operations,” Tom explains. “It ensures that we can manage our print production efficiently and maintain high-quality standards.”

Jerry adds, “Durst Analytics has been a game-changer for us. It gives us the transparency we need to make informed decisions and continuously improve our processes.”

Environmental and Safety Compliance

The Durst Tau RSC UV inks are REACH and SVHC compliant, free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bisphenol A (BPA), and benzophenone. These inks have passed various certifications, including UL 969 and BS5609 section 3, ensuring durability and safety for different applications.

Future-Proof Investment

The modular design of the Durst Tau RSC platform allows for field upgrades and additional process colors and speed, ensuring that the technology can grow with LabelHero’s business. This future-proof investment provides the flexibility to adapt to changing market demands and continue delivering high-quality labels.

The Role of Durst’s Support

The success of LabelHero is supported by the advanced capabilities of the Durst Tau 330 RSC E printer and the comprehensive support and ecosystem provided by Durst. This combination of cutting-edge technology and robust support has enabled LabelHero to maximize its investment and achieve remarkable results. Jerry explains, “The training and support from Durst made it easy for us to transition into digital printing [at production print volumes].”

The Januszewski brothers add that although they have a wealth of entrepreneurial experience, neither Jerry nor Tom came to label manufacturing with a printing background. The comprehensive training programs offered by Durst ensure the brothers are well-equipped to leverage the advanced features of the Durst Tau 330 RSC E printer. The brothers then trained the rest of the LabelHero team.

Furthermore, Durst’s global service network sees to any technical issues that crop up. With more than 100 trained technicians worldwide and a high rate of remote issue resolution, Durst ensures that its customers experience minimal downtime. A strong North American technical support team provide excellent, fast, support if needed. Tom can attest to that experience. “Durst is really good about logging in and fixing any issues we have,” he explains. “They can tweak the system and provide help remotely, which has been incredibly valuable for us.”

The combination of Durst’s advanced technology, comprehensive software solutions, and exceptional customer support has empowered the Januszewski family to achieve their business goals.

Fast, Robust, and Sustainable Growth

LabelHero’s journey underscores the transformative power of combining cutting-edge technology with a forward-thinking strategy. The Durst Tau 330 RSC E wasn’t merely a machinery purchase; it was an investment in the Januszewski family’s future.

This future, the Januszewski brothers say, will include rapid scaling, unparalleled quality, and diversification. “With just the speeds of how fast it can print, we’re only at about 15% capacity,” Tom explains. “And that’s only on one shift.”

At just one-year-old, LabelHero sits at 33 employees strong, including family members Jared Green as CEO, Anna Januszewski as CFO, Kasia Green leading operations, and Bob Januszewski leading research and development.

The family looks to expand LabelHero’s contract manufacturing business by continuing to provide partners such as Tenax with industrial products complete with packaging. Jerry and Tom also express curiosity about using the vast capacity of their new Durst Tau to build a trade printing business.

The Januszewski brothers are also looking to leverage LabelHero’s web storefront. LabelHero.com has already soft launched, but the LabelHero team is continuously working to enhance features for the web storefront’s upcoming full launch.

These enhanced features include integrated AI-powered tools that streamline the ordering process and reduce friction for customers. Jerry explains, “People will be able to use AI to generate stickers on demand right on our website using certain tools that we’re going to create for them.”

Innovating to Thrive

LabelHero’s forward-thinking approach aligns with industry trends identified by NAPCO Research, such as the increasing demand for personalization and online ordering capabilities. By staying ahead of these trends, LabelHero is positioning itself as an industry leader, ready to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

For owners and managers in the printing industry, LabelHero offers a compelling case study in leveraging the right tools and mindset to thrive. Whether you’re exploring ways to enhance efficiency or considering a leap into label printing, LabelHero’s story serves as an inspiration to seize opportunities and embrace innovation.

To embark on your own journey to greatness, visit durstus.com.