FULL STORY
Derby-based Ashfield Screen Printing has become the latest printing house to install the Presstek 34DI-X digital offset press with Momentum Pro workflow from Presstek, a leading manufacturer and marketer of digital offset printing solutions.
‘Our aim is to become a one-stop shop for all our customers' printing requirements,’ said Charles Henry managing director at family-run Ashfield. ‘The investment in the Presstek DI press complements and enhances our screen printing services. And it will significantly improve our litho business, which we introduced two years ago, by boosting quality and productivity and delivering more environmentally-friendly printing.’
After conducting a thorough analysis of the market, Ashfield knew that the Presstek 34DI model would be the ideal system for its requirements. ‘We wanted all the bells and whistles, like the infra-red drier, plate saver software, colour viewing hood and PDSE,’ continued Henry. ‘These features have already had a big impact on the way we work, increasing our efficiency and the speed at which we can turn jobs round.’
After first reading about the Presstek 34 DI press a year ago, Henry followed up his interest by taking some of his own work to a Presstek Open House Event. ‘I really liked the system from day one, and I could immediately see how it could fit into our infrastructure. As well as offering our existing customers short-to-medium run, quick turnaround colour printing, we will very soon be able to print on a range of substrates, including vinyl, PVC and polypropylene. The introduction of this service will be a very significant addition to our screen printing operation and will help us enter many new markets.
‘To begin with we are considering producing car window stickers, clothing tags, point of sale and presentation materials, but we plan to quickly expand this range. Being able to print four colours in a single pass in high resolution onto a wide range of substrates, coupled with the increased speed of make readies, opens up lots of opportunities. It's a very exciting time for the company.’
Ashfield is currently introducing the advanced DI capabilities to its customer base. ‘I was blown away by the quality it produces,’ says Henry. ‘We're now inviting clients in-house so they can see their work being printed and see the speed of makeready with minimal waste, and the quality we can now achieve using waterless inks.
‘Previously, we found it difficult to turn round urgent jobs in a very short amount of time - but this is no longer an issue with the Presstek DI. Plus we have some clients that insist on using an environmentally-friendly printer - thanks to the DI's chemistry-free imaging process, coupled with our use of sustainable and recycled paper, we can demonstrate our excellent green credentials to these customers.
‘One of our big advantages, particularly in these challenging times, is our broad customer base, which includes trade printers, designers and a wide range of end users. These customers typically want runs from 250 - 10,000 sheets, which is ideal for the Presstek 34DI press.’
Ashfield has also upgraded its front-end prepress department with the Presstek Momentum Pro workflow and Dynastrip imposition systems. ‘We now have a predefined workflow, which makes us much more productive. It enables us to identify errors at source in supplied artwork and it ties in well with our MIS system. We have recently employed an additional estimator to cope with the increased demand.’
Presstek installed the 34DI two months ago and it has proved a huge success. ‘The installation was perfect. Our printer, who has 35 years' experience in litho printing, took to it like a duck to water,’ said Henry. ‘The results speak for themselves. In only two months the press is being used six hours a day. If production continues at this rate we will have to introduce a double day shift and possibly 24-hour working. We anticipate an excellent return on our investment, and once we start printing on plastics and vinyl, we could well have a bank of Presstek DI presses in the not too distant future.’
For more information visit: www.presstek.com, or just click on the Presstek banner or sponsor logo links on our Home Page.
© Graphic Repro On-line, 2 December 2009.
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