5 Ways We Keep It Simple (So You Can Move Faster and Save More).

In label print, complexity slows everything down. More steps. More decisions. More room for error. And ultimately, more cost and longer lead times for customers.

From day one, we built Catapult to work differently.

Simplicity isn’t a buzzword for us. It’s the backbone of the whole model. When the process is clean and streamlined, everything else improves speed, quality, cost, service, the lot.

Here are five ways we engineer simplicity into every part of how we work.

1. A plateroom that removes decisions, delays, and downtime

Most printers lose time long before a job even reaches the press. Platemaking is full of micro-decisions, bottlenecks and manual steps that quietly slow everything down.

Our investment with Esko means our plateroom strips all of that out:
• A machine that takes out the need for manual input
• Double the capacity in half the time
• A one-way street workflow so there’s no back-and-forth or second guessing
• Plates built in around an hour
• Make ready on press for the next job without waiting

By simplifying the entire process, we keep plate production predictable and fast. That means fewer holds, fewer surprises, and a seamless transition from artwork to press.

2. One press model for total consistency

Some printers use a mix of press types and generations, which creates complexity you can feel from the outside. Different capabilities. Different operators. Different quirks.

We don’t do that. We invested in the same Nilpeter presses from the outset.

Why it matters:
• Operators master the machines faster
• Training is consistent
• Troubleshooting is simpler
• Scheduling becomes more efficient
• Every job meets the same quality benchmark

It’s the same principle that made Southwest Airlines more reliable and more efficient than its competitors. Less variation creates more control, and more control creates better outcomes for customers.

3. Total visibility, 24/7. No chasing. No guessing. No delays.

Nobody wants to chase updates. Nobody wants to guess where their order is. Nobody wants to waste time digging for answers. So we built a system that let’s you do all three.

Crystal is the ultimate service for a time poor world. Because why should you have to scratch your head over artwork uploads or worry about when your labels will arrive? Crystal gives you total visibility, saving your time and energy (and did we mention money?).

Our customers get real-time visibility over everything through our Crystal platform. All live. All accurate. All accessible 24/7:
• Browse artwork effortlessly
• Track your orders
• Upload product artwork
• Access your documentation
• Live inventory & forecast data
• Live KPI data at your fingertips
• Bi reporting tools
• Quality & Complaint Management

And we live and breathe this data internally too. This level of transparency means we can pivot quickly, make decisions with confidence, and stay ahead without hidden surprises.

4. A 26-inch press that makes composite running simple and efficient

Composite running is one of the easiest ways to reduce cost and tighten lead times, but only if your equipment can handle it cleanly.

Our investment in the world’s only pressure-sensitive Nilpeter 26-inch press is built for this.

By running multiple SKUs efficiently on the same web, we reduce:
• Waste
• Time on press
• Changeovers
• Cost per label

The result is a smarter, simpler way of printing more in less time, with zero compromise on quality.

5. In-house ink control for perfect colour, every time

Color inconsistency is one of the biggest pain points in print. It causes reprints, delays, wasted product and extra cost. Our answer: full color control in our own ink room.

Our Print+ specialists mix all inks in-house to exact standards, giving us complete control over colour accuracy, repeatability and ultimately, speed.

There’s no waiting on external suppliers. No variation from batch to batch. Just clean, consistent color every single time. Again simplicity removes risk and makes everything else more efficient.

Plus, everything is signed off with Pantone live (their cloud based Pantone book) through Delta readings. So there’s no more guess work, just science and tools that deliver zero down-time on press.

Simplicity isn’t the nice-to-have. It’s the competitive edge. Every improvement we make starts with the same question: How do we strip out complexity so customers get speed, value, and reliability every time?

This approach allows us to deliver:
• Shorter lead times
• Lower costs
• Higher quality
• Better service

It’s a model built to stay ahead because it removes the friction that slows others down. And that’s how we make every moment matter.