The Label Shoppe Wins Big for Digital at PIA 12th Print Excellence Awards

May 24, 2016

The Label Shoppe, a flexo printing provider for custom pressure-sensitive label products and its own Gaytan Food’s various branded snacks, won the Label division at this spring’s 12th annual Print Excellence Awards sponsored by the Printing Industries Association, Inc. of Southern California (PIASC).

Judging of the Label category was an anonymous process. Each of the five entries received a number code when submitted and those numbers were the only identifiers on the pieces when the judges reviewed the entries. The judging panel was comprised of a team of distinguished professionals from the graphic arts industry who were chosen based on their extensive knowledge of the printing process.

"The Label Shoppe believes in producing only prime quality labels that brand owners the world over would be proud to display on any retail shelf. We also believe in integrity above all else. It’s in our nature to treat customers as they wish to be treated," said Ryan Gaytan, general manager of The Label Shoppe since 2001.

For the Label category, judges considered the quality of printing, degree of difficulty, and technical expertise. To win a Best of Category, the entry had to be flawless. The Label Shoppe was the only company to enter a Label using a digital press. It beat out conventional gravure/flexo entries.

"The judges were particularly impressed with our use of the 'faux foil' look, and the level of fine detail we were able to achieve," Gaytan said. To win on its first time in a competition, The Label Shoppe's achievement was especially striking.

The PIASC competition celebrates top printing companies throughout southern California, showcasing their work and honoring the best of the best. Winners of this recognition take appropriate pride in the important accomplishment. Gaytan and his team of seven colleagues were at the Pacific Palms Resort in person to enjoy the ceremony.

“We strive on a daily basis for excellence,” he said. “Winning the award is a confirmation of our motto of continuous improvement. It has been our aim all along to keep on target with evolving digital label printing technology. Our SCREEN Truepress Jet L350 is evidence of that innovation. The L350 helps us achieve insanely fast turnaround times on short and medium run prime labels."

SCREEN Americas’ high speed, high quality L350 UV inkjet label press gives The Label Shoppe all it requires for its short-to-medium label runs. “SCREEN gives us just what we need for ourselves and our customers in terms of quality, fast turnarounds, simplicity and super stability,” he said.

Based in the LA industrial suburb of Industry City, The Label Shoppe was founded in 1991 to handle printing work in-house for the long established Gaytan Foods, a family-owned snack food manufacturer specializing in fried pork rinds, cheese puffs and related items. “We used to buy labels from outside vendors,” Gaytan said. “But the cost was high and delivery unpredictable. Setting up our own print shop assured quality control and efficiency.”

Gaytan Foods got its start as a market in 1935. The founders’ son Rudy Gaytan designed and built the world’s first fully automated pork rind production plant in the 1970s. A dramatic improvement in productivity arrived in the 1990s with the addition of a brand new packaging line able to keep up with the expanding cooking department. Further improvements along the way have kept Gaytan ahead of the competition.

Today The Label Shoppe prints custom pressure-sensitive labels for Gaytan Food’s own branded snacks as well as for private label products. Food is the top market for the shop’s labels with beverage producers running a close second. Manufacturers of automotive parts, cosmetics and automotive parts also order The Label Shoppe’s high quality labels and tags.

What impact will the PIASC win have on The Label Shoppe? “We’re coming up with new and innovative ideas every day,” Gaytan said. “We’re honored to receive the award. It’s a confirmation of our high standards for excellence.

“It won’t change the way we operate on a daily basis. But it’s good to know that our colleagues in the industry recognize our investment in quality product produced to spec and delivered on time.”

In addition to its Best in Category win with its L350 piece, The Label Shoppe also won two additional Awards of Excellence with the L350. For its flexo entries, It brought home two Awards of Excellence and one Certificate of Merit.

About Printing Industries of America

Printing Industries Association, Inc. of Southern California (PIASC) represents the graphics arts community in southern California as well as Clark County in Nevada.

Founded in 1935 and incorporated in 1944, PIASC is today the largest graphic arts trade association in the country, serving the interests of more than 1,200 member companies. It provides personal and profession programs and education for both owners and employees.