Prepress
Rufford Printing Improves Efficiency and Profit with Presstek Vector Computer-to-Plate system
Monday 14. December 2009 - UK-based commercial printer, Rufford Printing Company, has increased its profit margins and cut turnaround times by installing a Vector chemistry-free computer-to-plate system from Presstek, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of digital offset printing solutions.
The new system has enabled Rufford Printing to bring its plate making in-house, helping the company to trim its operating costs and boost output speed.
“We wanted to expand the four-color printing side of the business but we were limited by a two-color press and conventional platemaking,” explains Brian Smith, Managing Director. “We were outsourcing about 10% of our platemaking for the more challenging jobs, but it was time consuming as we had to allow between 24 to 48 hours turnaround, plus we often had to drive a considerable distance to collect the plates. This made it difficult to be competitive and had a significant impact on profits.”
“When I first saw the Vector platesetter system at a printing exhibition, I was immediately impressed. It had all the features we were looking for to automate and improve the quality of our platemaking. And because its a chemistry-free system, it bolsters our environmental credentials.”
Ideal for smaller commercial printers, the Vector CTP system is a cost-effective, small-format, chemistry-free solution that has the added benefit of imaging high-quality metal plates for approximately the same price as polyester. The system produces up to 20 plates an hour, and Pressteks Freedom plates support run lengths up to 25,000 impressions.
“The system affords us three major benefits – quality, speed and a chemistry-free process, which means we dont have to buy and dispose of chemicals,” continues Smith. “Crucially, its more than halved the time it used to take us to make metal plates conventionally, and we can guarantee an accurate registration and easier press operation. The Freedom Pro plates dont require baking, special cleaning fluids or gumming – the result is great press performance and less waste. Its also quick and easy to maintain.”
Rufford Printing soon followed up its investment in the Vector platesetter with the installation of a four-color litho press. “The Vector gave us the confidence and the surge in productivity we needed to move into four-color printing in a big way,” adds Smith. “It has turned our business round. Weve entered new and profitable markets that were previously out of our reach.”