Prepress
Screen PlateRite FX870 opens up new opportunities at Ticketmedia
Thursday 04. March 2010 - Ticketmedia, the company responsible for supplying and printing the advertisements on the back of the nation's bus and tube tickets, has struck a first with the installation of a Screen PlateRite FX870 flexo platesetter to become the only paper convertor in the UK to have in-house computer-to-plate technology.
Based in Hove, East Sussex, Ticketmedia is a printing company with a difference. It offers transport companies a rebate on the cost of printing their ticket rolls by selling the valuable advertising space on the reverse. It is a unique concept with a proven success rate: to date it has launched more than 20,000 successful ticket campaigns, issuing over 22 billion ticket advertisements across the nation.
The installation of the PlateRite FX870, with its superior halftone dot reproduction, will fulfil the dual aims of increasing both productivity and quality. Ticketmedia managing director Jeremy Burbidge says: “The PlateRite FX870 is a very sophisticated piece of equipment. Using Trueflow workflow, it laser images the artwork straight onto the plate and provides us with a real proof to work from, thereby saving us valuable time and resources. The hours we spent setting tickets are a thing of the past and our creative prepress department is now free to spend longer on the artwork instead.”
As well as improved print quality, the PlateRite FX870 reduces labour by 50%, minimises human error and creates a greener working environment as it is chemistry-free. The platesetter joins an impressive range of print machinery, specially customised and tailored for optimum performance by Burbidge, a former engineer, and will allow Ticketmedia to progress and diversify into other areas, such as offering its services as a repro house to external companies. With Trueflow workflow in place, Ticketmedia is positioned for further growth, with the ability to offer both digital and traditional print options to its clients.
“Ticketmedia is a very exciting and forward-thinking company from a marketing and promotional point of view,” says Screen UK managing director Brian Filler. “It has the vision of the marketing of the future and has the technology in place to make that vision a reality.”
Founded in the late 1980s out of a paper roll manufacturing company producing plain bus tickets and till rolls. Ticketmedia is today the leading authority on ticket advertising on all transport tickets and paper roll products. With its rare combination of specialist print technology and media expertise, it has the ability and flexibility to carry out any advertising campaign on a national to regional level, from short bursts to sustained promotions.
One of the few remaining independent UK media companies, Ticketmedia works with transport companies, media agencies and advertising clients on both standalone campaigns and as part of an integrated marketing strategy. Its impressive client list extends from the retail sector to fast food, the NHS to local councils, and education and recruitment to telecommunications. Ticketmedia has reported a 50% year on year growth.