Offset Printing

Springfield Printing Much Greener this Spring

Friday 17. October 2008 - For Springfield Printing Corp., the month of April started with a shower of attention.

Two very complimentary stories about the North Springfield, Vt.-based printing company appeared on the front page of the local daily newspaper two days apart.

The first story in the Eagle Times newspaper detailed the full-service printer’s faster, more environmentally friendly Mitsubishi Diamond 3000LX sheetfed press.

The second page-one story focused on a green-themed open house, held April 3 to introduce existing and prospective customers to the highly automated press. At least 100 guests attended the gathering. Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas was on hand to congratulate the company’s owners for their contributions to the environment.

Springfield Printing installed the Diamond 3000LX with aqueous coater and SimulChanger to replace a 15-year-old Mitsubishi press. The six-color, 40-inch press prints faster, delivers more consistent color and sets up in the shortest possible time.

In operation since February, the Diamond 3000LX already has cut the number of makeready sheets on a typical job in half. Springfield Printing has set a goal of getting that number down to two-thirds of the previous level.

At Springfield Printing, SimulChanger, Mitsubishi’s fully automated system for simultaneous plate changing, has repeatedly changed all six plates on the Diamond 3000LX in 58 seconds.

The automated washing systems on the press have significantly reduced the quantity of rags used to wipe down the press.

“Every week, we are getting more efficient,” said co-owner Mark Sanderson. “We are trying to position ourselves for the future.”

Sanderson said the new press allows Springfield Printing to handle two to three more jobs a day.

Established in 1878, Springfield Printing prints high-end color materials for the recreation and tourism industries, brochures, marketing pieces and other commercial products. The printer employs 43 people at its 25,000-square-foot plant. The company runs two shifts a day.