Offset Printing
Litho convert moves to make space for expansion
Thursday 24. January 2008 - The Color Co (Cheltenham) is spending close to £1.5m on new premises and its first five colour litho press.
Relinquishing its retail site, it is moving to a 6,000 sq ft purpose built unit this month. The digital company which made its first move into litho 18 months ago with Heidelberg equipment said at the time that it was only space that prevented it from taking a five-colour press.
Demand for litho has far outstripped expectations and now, in response to customer demand, it is adding a Speedmaster SM 52-5 which will allow the company to handle high volume orders.
“Most of our work is four- and five-colour and our existing machine is operating flat out. The new press means we can use process colours and seal in one pass and take on longer run work,” says managing director Ashley Wainwright.
“We have found that litho and digital complement each other. With both technologies our clients know we are providing them with the best process for each job in terms of quality and cost.”
The company now has about an equal amount of sales from litho and digital. On the digital side The Color Co has two high production colour machines and black and white facilities.
“We look at options each time we buy new equipment but having used Heidelberg we know that Heidelberg not only produces great machines but has the right service levels and commitment as well,” says Mr Wainwright.
The Color Co has many blue chip accounts throughout the Midlands.