Offset Printing
New Technology Makes J&P Printing More Competitive
Monday 01. June 2009 - Ray Stafrace of J&P Printing in the Melbourne suburb of Reservoir has been in the industry all his working life. Now the owner of the company his father started 45 years ago, Ray is a firm believer in the value of working with new technology.
“We are a small print shop, but that doesnt mean market expectations for service and quality are any different than for the big end of town. Our customers want their jobs yesterday, and they want top quality at a competitive price. For us to compete we have to invest in new technology.”
J&P Printing produces a range of general corporate jobs – brochures, booklets, stationery – as well as raffle materials for charitable organisations. Over the past two years Ray has upgraded the companys print capabilities installing a new Printmaster 52-4 colour press to work alongside a QM46-2 colour with numbering and perforating.
In October last year a Suprasetter 52 CtP solution was installed. “We had been outsourcing our platemaking, but it got to the stage where even a 24 hour turnaround wasnt fast enough,” explains Ray. “The Suprasetter has made an enormous difference to productivity and to our ability to control quality.”
And its made J&P Printing even more competitive. “When you produce plates in-house you have room to move in negotiating the price for a job. You dont have that freedom when you outsource because you are locked into a fixed price.”
But the thing that has impressed Ray the most is the quality of the plates. “The registration is spot on and everything is so much sharper. The quality is fantastic.”
When it came to choosing the CtP solution Ray says “I decided to stay with Heidelberg because they have always looked after us. Ricky Bannister and Shane Hanlon are great to deal with. When you are running your own company you want to have good people to work with, people who understand your business and what you are trying to do.”
“And if ever we get stuck its just a matter of making a phone call and that kind of service gives you confidence.”
Asked how the current economic environment is treating him Ray laughs. “Dont let me curse myself, but since the Suprasetter went in weve only had one quiet month, all the rest have been above average.”
“You have to be smart about your investments. These days you cant invest with the idea of putting up your prices. You have to look for technology that will let you put down your prices because you are quicker at producing a quality job.”
“As a small company I can never compete with the big boys but I like to have a piece of the action. If you dont update – and now it is more affordable for a small company than ever – you get left behind.”