Creative Labels of Vermont (CLOV), a family-owned printing firm in Winooski, Vermont, has an inspiring journey of growth and innovation. Founded in 1983 with just three employees, one three-color press, and a handmade screwdriver rewinder, CLOV has now expanded to over 30 employees and boasts an impressive array of equipment, including an HP Indigo 6600 Digital Press and six flexographic presses. They specialize in printing pressure-sensitive labels for the specialty food and beverage markets, with a particular focus on high-quality products for artisans.
Creative Labels of Vermont: From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader
Fred Wall, the founder, stumbled into the printing industry by chance. When he applied for a “plate maker” job, he thought it involved ceramic dinnerware. Little did he know that this step would lead him to run his own successful printing business. In 1983, Fred was offered the opportunity to purchase Creative Labels of Vermont, then solely a label company. Leveraging his industry experience, he expanded CLOV’s capabilities. His son, Dwane Wall, joined him in 1985, and together, they transformed CLOV into a leading printing company.
Renewing a Valued Partnership
Although CLOV initially partnered with Anderson & Vreeland in its early days, the partnership took a brief hiatus. The relationship was rekindled when an A&V sales representative reached out with advice on transitioning to digital plate making. “Back in the day, we wanted to get into some entry-level digital stuff. So when the A&V sales guy contacted me, it was perfect timing. An idea here, a helpful hint there, and a conversation later, we were back on track with an amazing partnership,” explained Dwane Wall, President of CLOV.
A Partner in Creative Labels of Vermont’s Success
CLOV sought to automate its processes and streamline production to serve its customers better. When Dwane shared his challenges and goals with the A&V sales team, they immediately proposed a solution. “It was almost instant. Everybody raised their hand and said, ‘We have the products that we believe will get you in that direction.’ And then we worked out a plan,” said Dwane.
CLOV had a ThermoFlexX Digital Imager but needed compatible prepress software to unlock its full potential. A&V introduced them to HYBRID Software, which became one of Dwane’s favorite investments. “HYBRID is so great because it works well with native PDFs. It does everything better than the product I had before. It’s faster, more consistent, more reliable, and aligns with my vision to automate as much as possible, allowing my amazing team to focus on what humans are great at.”
Embracing Cutting-Edge Technology
A&V provided CLOV with early access to innovative printing technologies. For instance, CLOV was one of the first two beta sites for the nyloflex Xpress Thermal Processor as part of Flint Group’s pilot program. They also adopted A&V’s Exposure Unit early on. Dwane had full faith in the quality of A&V’s products. “I didn’t need to see it or test it. I knew it would bring a lot of value to my workflow.”
This new equipment has significantly enhanced CLOV’s operations. Today, CLOV has a robust workflow that seamlessly integrates prepress capabilities with the pressroom, allowing them to handle 50 to 70 jobs a day with hundreds of SKUs. “We are going through two times the volume in the same amount of time. We couldn’t have achieved this without all the automation that’s in place between all the components,” said Dwane. “I fully transitioned to digital plate making with the help of A&V. Their world-class product portfolio, creative financing options, and amazing support have greatly improved our bottom line.”
Looking Ahead
CLOV aims to continue streamlining its processes to provide the best label experience for its customers. “Thanks to A&V, we have all the pieces in place to incrementally improve,” said Dwane. “We are excited to continue working with the A&V team and having them as a resource.” A&V Account Manager Robert Feyre added, “Creative Labels of Vermont has been a great ambassador for A&V. The team is fantastic, and we look forward to where this partnership will take us in the future.”
Creative Labels of Vermont’s journey is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and trust in the printing industry.
