Soabar

What Soabar does

Soabar Ltd is a privately held UK label solutions provider, founded in the United States in 1920 and operating from a single manufacturing facility in Whetstone, Leicester since 1978. The company designs, prints, and supplies custom labels — wash-care, self-adhesive, barcode, sustainable (FSC-accredited and compostable), and peel-and-reveal formats — for retail, food and beverage, chemical, automotive and logistics, and textile customers, with no minimum order quantity and a quote-based pricing model delivered through direct sales and a website-based quote calculator.

Its product and technology stack spans both hardware and consumables. Soabar operates a Konica Minolta C71cF Digital Press (the first deployment in England and second in the UK, operational since January 2017) complemented by an AB Graphics Digicon Lite finishing line, plus flexographic printing capability. It also markets its own branded thermal transfer printer portfolio — including the DTQ double-sided, DCQ two-colour chemical label, and the 1Pro/2S/4+/5/6+/T4+/9 series — alongside third-party Epson ColorWorks, Mouvent and additional Konica Minolta equipment, each backed by 12-month on-site warranty, installation, training, and lifetime technical support. Software is delivered through SoLabel for label design, data integration, and print management.

The business model combines transactional custom-label printing (pay-as-you-go, personalised quotes), hardware sales (printers and finishing equipment), consumables (ink ribbons up to 450m capacity, blank labels, spare parts) sold as managed services, and a recurring software subscription stream. Distribution is direct via the company website and field sales, with UK on-site installation and remote installation/training for international customers. The 2022 launch (formalized in 2026) of Badge Wave, a wholly-owned sub-brand serving the global events and exhibitions badge market, plus FSC Chain of Custody (March 2025) and EcoVadis Bronze Medal (2025) certifications, indicate ongoing vertical and geographic expansion. The company is independently owned with no disclosed external shareholders, no funding rounds, and a workforce of 11-50 employees.

Name

Soabar

Legal name

Soabar Ltd

Website

https://soabar.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Soabar Ltd is a privately held UK label solutions provider (Whetstone, Leicester) that designs and prints custom labels, supplies thermal and digital label printers with installation and lifetime support, and serves retail, food and beverage, chemical, automotive, logistics and textile customers, plus events via its Badge Wave sub-brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Labeling Solutions

NAICS

Printing and Related Support Activities (323), Printing (32311), Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Printing Ink Manufacturing (325910)

SIC

Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermal & Label Printers (HDACAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Label Stock, Inks, Coatings & Laminates (Materials Supply) (IMALAKAL), Labeling, Coding & Marking Equipment (Labelers, Inkjet, Laser) (IMALAOAD), Receipt, Label & Card Printers (Thermal/Impact) (HDACAKAD), Packaging Inks (IMAEAHAH)

Keywords

• Custom label printing
• Thermal transfer printers
• Industrial label solutions
• Barcode label manufacturing
• Digital label press

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Label Design and Printing: Soabar designs, prints, and supplies custom labels tailored to customer brand and industry requirements. Includes various label types such as wash-care labels, self-adhesive labels, barcode labels, sustainable labels, and peel & reveal labels. Both digitally printed (5-7 working days) and flexo-printed (10-14 days) options available.
2. Label Printer Supply and Installation: Supply and installation of high-performance label printers from leading brands including Epson ColorWorks, Mouvent, and Konica Minolta. Includes Soabar's own branded printer series (DTQ, DCQ, 1Pro, 2S, 4+, 5, 6+, T4+). Full installation and training provided with 12 months on-site warranty.
3. Printer Maintenance and Repairs: Ongoing maintenance, repairs, and technical support for thermal printers. Includes lifetime technical support, spare parts, and consumables (ink ribbons, labels).
4. Ink Ribbons and Supplies: Sale of consumables including ink ribbons, thermal ribbons, blank labels, and other printing supplies. Ribbon capacity up to 450m reducing downtime.
5. Label Printing Software Solutions: Software for label design, data integration, and print management. Includes basic labelling software (SoLabel) with additional options for database linking and label management solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Soabar designs, prints, and supplies custom labels (wash-care, self-adhesive, barcode, sustainable, and peel & reveal labels) using both digital and flexographic printing, while also supplying, installing, and maintaining industrial label printing equipment (thermal transfer and digital inkjet printers) from brands such as Epson ColorWorks, Konica Minolta, Mouvent, and Soabar's own DTQ and DCQ series. The company provides complementary label design software (SoLabel), consumables (ink ribbons and thermal ribbons), and lifetime technical support with on-site installation and training.

Product overview

Soabar is a label solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of custom label printing services and label printing equipment. The product portfolio includes custom label design and printing (digital and flexographic), label printer hardware (thermal transfer and inkjet printers including Epson ColorWorks, Konica Minolta, Mouvent, and Soabar-branded DTQ and DCQ series), finishing equipment (Digicon Lite), and a software suite for label design and management. They also operate Badge Wave as a dedicated event badge printing sub-brand. The company supplies various label types including wash-care, self-adhesive, barcode, sustainable, and peel & reveal labels. All products are backed by installation, training, and ongoing technical support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Badge Wave: A dedicated event ticketing and badge printing service powered by Soabar Label Solutions, launched to make high-quality event credentials accessible, affordable, and effortless for event organisers.

Products and services

• Custom Label Design & Printing Custom-designed labels printed via digital and flexographic methods to customer specifications for product identification, branding, compliance, and traceability, serving retail, food, chemical, automotive, logistics, and textile industries.
• Label Printer Supply & Installation Supply, installation, and training of industrial label printers including Soabar's own DTQ, DCQ, 1Pro, 2S, 4+, 5, 6+, 9, T4+ series, plus Epson ColorWorks (C4000e, C6000, C6500, C8000e), Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 230, and Mouvent LB702-UV presses for UK and international businesses.
• Label Printing Software Solutions (SoLabel) Software for label design, data integration, database linking, and print management, available with basic and advanced options for business customers needing to design and print labels in-house.
• Printer Maintenance & Repairs Ongoing technical support, on-site installation, training, and repair services for thermal label printers, including spare parts, lifetime technical support, and consumables replenishment for customers across all industries.
• Ink Ribbons and Thermal Supplies Thermal transfer ribbons, ink ribbons, blank labels, and other printing consumables supplied for use with Soabar's label printer range, including resin ribbons for durable applications.
• Badge Wave Event Badge Printing Service Dedicated event ticketing and badge printing service for conferences, exhibitions, and events offering customizable badges, name badges, lanyards, and credentials with quick turnaround from a UK-based team.
• Wash-Care Labels Textile labels designed for garment care instructions, including care symbols, brand labels, and size labels printed on durable materials suitable for sewing into clothing for textile and apparel customers.
• Self-Adhesive & Barcode Labels Self-adhesive labels for product identification, packaging, and barcode applications available in printed and blank formats for general commercial, logistics, and inventory use.
• Sustainable Labelling Labels printed on FSC-accredited and compostable materials for environmentally conscious labelling needs, backed by FSC Chain of Custody Certification (C208984) and EcoVadis Bronze Medal sustainability credentials.
• Peel & Reveal Labels Multi-layer labels that reveal hidden information when peeled back, suitable for promotions, security applications, and variable data needs for marketing and product traceability.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lead time of 5-7 working days for digitally printed labels
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Konica MinoltacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2016Strategic business partnership formed in November 2016 for the purchase of the C71cF Digital Press for Soabar's digital label printing department. This was the first company in England and second in the UK to utilize the C71cF, which officially began operation in January 2017. Konica Minolta is a global leader in managed print services, production printing solutions, and laser printers.
• AB GraphicscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2016Following the installation of the Konica Minolta C71cF, Soabar invested in AB Graphics' Digicon Lite finishing equipment to complement their digital printing capabilities. The Digicon Lite provides advanced re-registration facilities, semi-rotary die cutting, flexo-head for varnishing and laminating, auto-slitter knife setup, and dual rewind.
• The Internet Video CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProduction partner for Soabar's promotional video. The video features Soabar's machinery, services, staff, and customers.
• National Citizen Service (NCS) LeicestershireminorOthersSoabar is a proud supporter of the National Citizen Service programme for young people aged 15-17 in Leicestershire. Soabar specifically sponsors the Social Action Phase of the programme, enabling young people to participate in community volunteering projects.
• Leaways SchoolminorOthersSoabar supported Leaways School in Clapton, London by providing self-adhesive labels for their 'Corner Cafe' project - a community-focused initiative providing hospitality and barista training for students with special educational needs and disabilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Labelmakers Group: UK-based label manufacturer offering custom self-adhesive, shrink sleeve, and wrap-around labels across FMCG, beverage, and industrial sectors. Directly comparable to Soabar in size, vertical focus, and UK-centric custom label service model.
• Paragon Labels: Mid-sized UK label converter producing premium self-adhesive labels for food, beverage, and personal care brands. Comparable to Soabar in customer segments, digital/flexo production capability, and mid-market enterprise positioning.
• Cobalt Label: Smaller UK digital label specialist offering short-run custom labels with quick turnaround. Closest direct competitor to Soabar's digital press short-run value proposition.

Others

• Domino Printing Sciences: UK-based industrial printing technology provider for coding, marking, and label printing. Adjacent to Soabar's printer equipment business; sells into many of the same industrial and FMCG customers.

Broad incumbents

• Herma Group: German pressure-sensitive label materials and labelling systems manufacturer. Comparable to Soabar in self-adhesive labels, label stocks, and labelling machinery — particularly in chemical and industrial label applications.
• CCL Industries: World's largest specialty label manufacturer with operations across healthcare, consumer, and industrial label segments. Provides the upper bound of scale and capability that Soabar competes against in shared verticals such as food & beverage and chemical labels.
• Avery Dennison: Global leader in pressure-sensitive labels, RFID, and sustainable label materials. Competes with Soabar across multiple end markets and supplies the broader label materials ecosystem that Soabar purchases from.
• Multi-Color Corporation (MCC): Global label solutions provider serving FMCG, wine & spirits, and home care markets. Comparable to Soabar in end markets but operates at materially larger scale, representing the consolidation threat to mid-sized converters.

Emerging players

• DTM Print (previously Primera Technology Europe): European distributor of on-demand colour label printers and supplies (including Epson ColorWorks). Competes with Soabar's small-footprint label printer sales to SMB customers in retail and food.

Regional players

• Skanem: European label converter with strong UK/Nordics presence producing self-adhesive labels for personal care, food, and beverage. Comparable in production technology (digital + flexo) and product mix to Soabar, but with a wider European footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/soabarltd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Soabarltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/Soabar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soabar-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/soabarltd/?hl=en

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Soabar