Business News
Building an offset and digital business with Fujifilm
Friday 29. October 2010 - Axis Printing Ltd, a commercial print service provider based in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, was launched by Alex Greenman and David Affleck in 2006. Specialising in three distinct markets: the arts & leisure industry, commercial printing, gift wrapping & greeting cards, it boasts a range of local and national customers, including Opera North, Out of Joint and Newcastle Theatre Royal, and has a turnaround of around £1.25 million per year.
Environmental responsibility forms a big part of Axis Printings ethos and the management team is continuously introducing initiatives to ensure that the company is minimising its environmental impact. One such programme is a scheme that Axis has put in place to collect and recycle its customers unwanted print in addition to its own. In addition, it only uses vegetable inks and has recently attained FSC & PEFC certification.
New beginnings
Before opening its doors in 2006, the owners acquired a B1 Heidelberg Speedmaster 8-colour press and contacted Fujifilm with a view to helping to develop its pre-press department.
Alex Greenman, co-owner and sales director, comments: “When we researched possible systems for our pre-press department, we naturally looked at all available products that might suit our needs. Fujifilms processless plate, together with the support they were able to offer, meant we didnt have to think twice about investing with them.”
Axis invested in a system consisting of the Brillia HD PRO-T processless plate, a Screen PlateRite 8600 platesetter, workflow and an Epson proofer, all from Fujifilm.
“These devices, plates and software have been exceptionally reliable, and are able to prepare and produce our print jobs without any problems,” she continues. “Also, Fujifilms processless plate means we no longer need a processor, so weve eradicated the associated chemistry, water and energy that a plate processor consumes. This isnt only the most environmentally friendly option, but it also allows us to save money.”
The start of a digital era
Axis, like the rest of the printing community, has seen a substantial drop in run lengths over the last few years. “Customers are ordering a wider range of printing jobs with shorter run lengths, and print service providers have to compete more than ever on price,” continues Alex. “So, in order to stay competitive, we decided to look into expanding our business to include a digital offering.
“We wanted to look at entry level devices with the necessary capabilities to allow us to offer our customers competitively priced, high quality print. When we mentioned our interest in a digital device to Fujifilm, they took the time to understand our needs and came back with the best digital options for us.”
Axis went to Ipex 2010 to assess the print quality of the Xerox 700 digital press on the Fujifilm stand. The team then visited Fujifilms showroom in Bedford to carry out a number of print tests prior to placing an order for the press, which was installed at the end of June.
Since the installation, Axis has not only been able to offer a wider range of services to its existing customers, but has also seen its customer base expand. “The digital press is slotting in perfectly with our existing plant and has enabled us to compete for a much broader range of jobs,” says Alex. “The quality of print exceeds our initial expectations – this was definitely the right choice for us.”
She concludes: “From day one, Fujifilm has played a major role in the development of our service and we are continuously impressed with the high quality of products they provide us with. And, as their environmental policy aligns perfectly with ours, we are confident that this relationship will continue to grow in the future.”