Inkjet & Digital Printing
The Kodak/Ricoh relationship delivers the First Dimensional Ink installation in UK at the University of Surrey
Monday 23. November 2009 - Dimensional Printing on graduation certificates receives stamp of approval from leading University
The University of Surrey has become the first UK customer to install the revolutionary KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Printing System. Ricoh managed this investment package via its European relationship with Kodak, as a reseller of KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Presses. The University has also upgraded its existing KODAK NEXPRESS Press to a KODAK NEXPRESS S2500 Digital Production Color Press to increase production speed and expand its offering.
Stephen Palmer, Ricoh UK Director of Production Print says, “Ricoh via Infotec has been working together with The University of Surrey for a number of years to develop and extend their in-house print shop with workflow, equipment and services. Our EAMER relationship with Kodak allows us to extend our relationships with both new and existing customers. The installation of a KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Printing System at the University is proof positive of the benefits of this strategic relationship. Kodaks unique cutting edge technology will take the Universitys products and services into a new sphere.”
The University of Surrey prints multiple prospectuses every day on the KODAK NEXPRESS Press. Each one is personalized according to the courses requested. The prospectuses are printed on-demand and with the variable data capability of the NEXPRESS Press they can be updated weekly to include the names of visiting lecturers, forthcoming events, celebrity speakers and associated charities and societies activities. Now with new Dimensional Printing capability, The University of Surrey can produce a distinctive 3D effect and create a striking printed product. The NEXPRESS Press is the only digital cut-sheet press that produces 3D raised printing inline.
Gary Ive, Print Manager at The University of Surrey, says: “The investment in Kodaks latest Dimensional Printing System is what we have been looking for to add value and support the changing needs of the University. This is all part of an ongoing strategy to build our print business on best-in-class technology. The KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Printing System gives our products a new look and a unique, distinctive feel. Our designers have already prepared a brochure using Dimensional Printing, which we are now using as a marketing tool to demonstrate the dramatic visual impact that can be created using this solution.”
Combining variability with superior quality
According to Gary Ive, the KODAK NEXPRESS Press is at the centre of his print shops operation: “The NEXPRESS Press stands way out against the competition because it can print all types of work. With its variable data capabilities and its superior quality, it has now replaced all of our litho machines. Weve created a hub and no longer have to outsource some of the jobs. The new Dimensional Printing System takes us into another league.”
With the centralized printing department sitting alongside the marketing department, The University of Surrey can easily meet the print and media management needs of its four faculties. “All print decisions are now centralized,” continues Ive. “For example, if one faculty is holding an Open Day, we can support them by discussing print and design costs. Our team will discuss the option of creating a unique design based on the Universitys branding, which can then be cost-effectively printed on the KODAK NEXPRESS Press across multiple substrates on flyers, leaflets, invitations, and A2 and A3 posters etc. Its now University policy that any print orders have to come through us. This ensures we can maintain The University of Surrey branding and excellent print quality.”
The University of Surrey boasts a fully equipped in-house print shop, which includes a KODAK NEXPRESS S2500 Press equipped with a KODAK NEXPRESS Glossing Unit, a RICOH Pro C900 Color Production Printer and RICOH Mono Production devices. The University of Surrey produces all types of print products for the education sector – brochures, prospectuses, graduation certificates, annual reports and accounts, course books and university maps and guides, plus printed materials for various departments, including the library, the restaurant and the sports centre. The University of Surrey also produces promotional DVDs, with the print shop team designing creative front covers and labels for distribution.
Preparing for the 2012 Olympics
One of the exciting developments at Surrey University is the new Surrey Sports Park, a multi million pound, world class sports venue and recognised training camp for Olympic teams with training facilities for many sports. Gary Ive anticipates that this development will generate a significant amount of work for the University: “We are looking at expanding the print shop to meet the potential demand,” concludes Mr. Ive. Its very satisfying to know that we will be able to say yes to every job.”