Diversify with digital
Printers are constantly looking for new ways to expand their offering to customers, with many choosing to add a digital capability to their portfolio. Two UK printers tell us why Fujifilm was the partner of choice to help establish a new digital department.
Founded in 1966, Ethedo Press is a family owned business which started life from premises in London using an Adana Letterpress machine. Chris Best, repro manager, has worked at Ethedo over the last 18 years and been instrumental in its ongoing transition, which has kept it at the forefront of the industry’s technological advances.
Although the company’s history is steeped in the short-run litho business, it was clear to Ethedo that it was imperative that they installed a digital press that would open up new possibilities for its customers. When it came to selecting a digital press, Chris explains: “We wanted something that would produce material as close in finish and quality to litho as possible, but one that was also cost effective for us as a first investment for the digital side of our business.”
A perfect fit
In summer 2008, the time was right to make the new investment and the company set up a digital printing department. After thoroughly assessing the digital press market, Ethedo Press initially looked at a Xerox 700 press, although soon upgraded to the Xerox DocuColor 5000AP.
Chris explains, “We decided on a Xerox press and, because of our very honest and open relationship with Fuji and our confidence in them as a company, we knew we wanted to make our investment via Fuji, taking full advantage of its partnership with Xerox.”
He continues, “Although we initially chose the Xerox 700 press, Fuji suggested an upgrade to the DocuColor 5000 which has a unique position in the industry with its automation and productivity. In addition, we opted for the Fuji TQC software, which eradicates the glossy finish that can often be seen on digital print output, providing printed work that’s closer to offset quality.”
The Fujifilm TQC software works by generating a unique ‘TQC profile’ which is loaded into the press control software. This optimises the amount of toner used on a page to maintain colour balance and remove the shiny gloss effect that is common, particularly on the darker colours of digitally printed material.
Chris adds, “We were amazed with how quickly the press and the TQC software were installed. It was all
complete within a day and a half, which allowed us to be up and running and producing customer work right from day one. Since installation, we have been very impressed with the quality of the work that is produced. We had been striving for a digital department which generated printed material of an
excellent standard and that’s exactly what we’ve got. So now, for those short-run jobs that need to be turned around quickly, we have utmost faith that the quality of the work will be superb.”
Chris continues: “We made our investment at precisely the right time, as having the capability to print digitally in the current climate is a bonus. Many of our customers want to print a short-run rather than commit to a lengthier litho run, and with the TQC software doing its job so well, we can be confident that these shorter, digital runs compare favourably with the litho print our customers have been used to.”
Ethedo’s customers are showing more and more of an interest in variable data work, and now, with the digital department up and running, the company is in a great position to offer this for certain jobs. Chris concludes, “Our next investment is likely to be further expansion into variable data capabilities as this is an area which is growing within the industry and, as always, we are keen to stay at the leading edge.”
Gildenburgh goes digital
Peterborough-based print and media service provider, Gildenburgh, has recently expanded its service offering with the installation of a Xerox 700 digital press from Fujifilm, enabling the company to provide digital print solutions to its customers for the first time.
The Xerox 700 is an all-in-one digital colour press that can handle a wide range of stocks, produce high-quality output and offer advanced finishing options. It is aimed at the production of photo books, brochures, direct mail pieces, catalogues, calendars and postcards. The printer has an output speed of up to 70 ppm in both colour and mono production and on stock weights ranging between 64 gsm – 300 gsm.
Rob Gutteridge, director at Gildenburgh, is excited about the new opportunities this installation offers:
“There is a rising demand from our customers for short-run, variable data and other print-on-demand jobs and now we can offer a digital solution to our clients. Digital printing can often mean sacrificing a certain amount of print quality, but the Xerox 700 enables us to continue to deliver the high quality print that Gildenburgh prides itself on.”
Gutteridge continues: “After evaluating a number of other digital presses it was clear that the Xerox 700 far exceeded its competitors in term of quality, clarity and resolution. We have a long-standing relationship with Fujifilm and value its understanding of our market, so Fujifilm was the obvious choice for us when considering a new digital press.”
Mark Stephenson, sales manager, digital solutions comments: “We’re delighted that Gildenburgh has chosen to go digital with us. It goes to show that going digital doesn’t necessarily mean compromising on quality and highlights the opportunities that are out there for printers who are willing to diversify their offering in order to satisfy changing customer demands.”
