Offset Printing
Pazazz Differentiates Itself with New KBA Large-Format Rapida 56-inch
Wednesday 29. October 2008 - Montreal-based printer goes big to offer new solutions and better service
KBA North America, a global press manufacturer based in Williston, Vermont, and Dallas, Texas, announces that Pazazz Printing, a Montreal-based printing firm, has invested $5 million to purchase a new KBA Rapida 142 56-inch six-color hybrid UV press, which was installed in July 2008 at the firms new facility. The investment totaling $7 million includes a BIG one-of-a-kind KBA 56-inch hybrid UV press along with a Fuji Film Ultima CTP large format platesetter, the Busch pile turner, and the Perfecta large format cutting system. A whopping 150 tons of printing equipment is being installed as Pazazz undergoes renovations in its new state-of-the-art 65,000 square foot print facility. The one-stop-print-shop offers conventional and UV litho printing, digital and flexographic label printing, and digital large-format production all under one roof. The Rapida 142 was sold in cooperation with KBR Graphics Ltd., the eastern Canadian distributor for KBA North America.
“This is BIG! We are officially seizing the large-format specialty market and differentiating ourselves from the 40-inch sector,” says Warren Werbitt, Pazazz founder and CEO. “We now have the largest KBA press in Canada, the first of its kind, and are offering solutions that no other printer in the country can, under one roof. Printing in the country will no longer be the same. Bigger is definitely better, and thats a promise.”
The KBA Rapida 142 56-inch six-color hybrid UV press truly does distinguish Pazazz in the marketplace. It allows much more flexibility and is capable of producing a variety of high-quality print effects and textures. “Unique finishes and coatings such as strike-through, soft touch, and gator, as well as scented inks, truly enhance the final product,” explains Werbitt. “We can now print on multiple substrates up to 48 pt as well as compete with the silkscreen market. Paper, board, foil, flute, corrugated, plastics, vinyl, and styrene can all be used on this unique press. We dont just print. We print with Pazazz!”
When Werbitt was considering a new press purchase, he had a number of factors to consider. First, he decided to stay away from the traditional 40-inch press and differentiate his firm with a large-format model, thus rising above competition with the majority of 40-inch printers in the same market. Second, he wanted to put the service aspect back into print purchasing; his choice of a large-format press allows his customers to quickly prep a 16-page sheet rather than an eight-page sheet on the 40-inch models, saving them time and money. Third, he wanted to maintain his firms commitment to the environment by using a larger sheet size that requires less makeready and by installing full interdeck UV capabilities.
“With our new KBA press, were now able to show our customers a variety of different printing techniques that they didnt think were possible,” says Werbitt. “What have they said? Not one customer has turned us away!” Pazazz can now achieve consistent color matching and deliver all visual branding values across printed marketing materials, labels, signage, boxes, and POP displays. “Not only is a one-stop print shop powerful, having one production team translates into efficient, accurate, and true economies of scale,” Werbitt continues. “We make it happen with you, for you. Its what creates the Pazazz experience.”
Werbitt learned of KBA through his alliance with the Independent Printers Worldwide (IPW) group, for which KBA is a supplier. “KBA is it!” exclaims Werbitt. “They are the leaders in large-format presses. Our press installation has been so smooth; its been a dream.”
Founded in 1992, Pazazz is a full-service independent printer based in Montreal with offices in New York and Shanghai. Pazazz has acquired four companies since 1992 and has seen its staff grow to 80 full-time
employees. The company has been steadily bolstering its position as a leader in the industry through a variety of procurements, significantly increasing services and efficiency. In addition to being certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Programme for the Endorsement of Certification Schemes (PEFC), and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Pazazz promotes eco-friendly inks and recycled paper. Pazazz is also a member of IPW, which consists of more than 150 independent printers with an excess of U.S.$2.5 billion of print revenue. Pazazzs recent claim to fame is its viral video “Printings Alive,” which has been viewed by more than 155,000 people on YouTube and was recently inducted into MarketingSherpas Viral Hall of Fame. Most recently, Werbitt was awarded by Graphic Monthly, Canada’s Printer of the Year Award for 2008. This award, bestowed upon individuals in the industry who have built exceptional businesses, is fitting for Werbitt, who has certainly made his mark upon the printing industry