Prepress

Heidelberg Prepress, Press and Postpress Improvements Help Neuform Graphics Switch Gears, Markets

Wednesday 03. September 2008 - After more than 18 years in printing, Neuform Graphics is shifting its focus from general commercial work to security printing for college diplomas and transcripts.

An endeavor of this magnitude required the help of a strategic partner that could offer the latest technologies to keep Neuform Graphics successful: Heidelberg. With its new focus in mind, Neuform Graphics recently installed a new Suprasetter A52 platesetter as well as a 5-color Printmaster PM 52 with perfector in its shop. “We were running direct-to-plate on polyester plates, and we needed a more streamlined workflow,” Owner Dean Miller said. “We installed the Prinect workflow system from Heidelberg along with the Suprasetter A52 in order to increase our productivity and improve quality.” Heidelberg’s Saphira Chemfree thermal plates are in use with the new platesetter. Along with co-owner and spouse Karen Miller, he also decided to replace a competitive sheetfed press with the PM 52. “We are already able to produce more than three times as much as we could with our old press, and we are reaping the benefits of the perfecting capabilities coupled with higher resolution and speed,” Miller said. The fifth unit allows the company to run security varnishes. Neuform Graphics also recently finalized the installation of a new Stahlfolder B 20 folder from Heidelberg. The B 20 folder, which is designed to deliver superior flexibility for small-format folding, was installed to extend the trend of higher productivity and higher quality to Neuform Graphics’ bindery. Neuform Graphics is now well on its way to becoming an all-Heidelberg operation. “Security printing is a new and evolving market that requires that the right pieces of equipment are in place at the right time,” Miller said. “Counterfeit diplomas are a $1.2 billion industry, which is why we went from our 18-year background of designing transcripts and diplomas to focus on stopping the counterfeit market.” Along with its Cincinnati division, Guardian Academics, Neuform Graphics is one of the first North American shops to work with Heidelberg on new hidden image technology. Neuform Graphics currently employs seven at its Cincinnati, Ohio shop.