Just 5 years ago we were the one of the first print companies in the UK to invest in the new ‘Hybrid’ UV Print system from Komori in Japan. This brought unprecedented print quality, slashed lead times and changed the way print could be produced. In the last 5 years we have been fortunate enough to hone this process and with a unique combination of setup, inks and rollers we created the print process we call Lightcure which is part of our Remous Quality Control (RQC) system.
We have been able to deliver enhanced lead times and print quality and in recent years we have mastered the Metallic inks which always proved a challenge.
With the investment in our new Production facility we began conversations with Komori once again around new developments they may have on the horizon. Of course there was a further enhancing of the the HUV/Lightcure process which we were invited to appraise, so we arranged a trip to the European HQ in Utrecht with our print team and directors to view the Komori G29.
We were astonished at the new possibilities with the coating unit, HUV Coating delivers an incredible gloss finish, brighter than a gloss laminate and with out the plastic film!
A full day of testing left us in no doubt we wanted to bring this to the UK.
Negotiations began on the plane home and some months later we secured our new press, this all fitted very well with the new Production Facility especially coupled with our ‘Smart Factory’ concept, the new press in tapped into the network with a direct connection to prepress.
The world is changing, we are all now environmentally aware, we all actively seek new ways to achieve results but reduce impact on the world and wildlife that we live in. This is one of the key drivers of what our new press can offer, we can print decorative coatings inline that are not plastic film. Lamination can be committed to the past as ‘what we used to do’ If you watch the video below you can see the results but in essence we can print a frosted/matt finish, with spot UV varnishes inline on our unique press or even a full gloss varnish. Both of which uses low energy and can be recycled – something you can’t achieve or provide with conventional printing press and laminates. Click below to watch:
So what of it?
Well, I believe we have brought something very interesting but also environmentally responsible to the marketing arena and would invite you to take a look. If you would like a swatch booklet demonstration some of the results we have achieved please click here, or even better get in touch and enjoy one of our factory tours where you can join a small group to learn more about the print processes we can provide, how they work and opportunities they can create – there is even coffee and cake!
This press install has been a huge leap for us, being the first always is but in keeping with our company ethos which is based around the Kaizen philosophy of constant improvement, it feels like the natural next step. I haven’t touched on the added quality control systems, faster setup times and higher running speeds, but these all contribute to our constant drive to provide better service, better quality & better lead times than we did yesterday.