Prosetter P52 plus Saphira Consumables Boost Press Performance at Clermont Printing
Clermont Printing & Office Supplies in Antigo, Wis., reports the installation of a Prosetter P52 violet platesetter with MetaDimension RIP and Prinect PDF Toolbox. The new platesetter is used to image Heidelberg Saphira violet plates. The installations mark the company's transition from film-based to digital workflow, with associated improvements in quality and efficiency, and a reduction in fixed cost expenses.
"We're still running at 175 line screen, but our images look cleaner and our screens are finer and reproduce better now, thanks to the combination of our new Prosetter and Saphira plates," said Steve Servi, company owner.
Elsewhere in the shop, second-generation, family run Clermont operates a 4-color Heidelberg GTO, together with assorted small-format duplicating equipment. The $2 million company describes itself as a general commercial printer specializing in run lengths up to 40,000. Established in 1957, it serves a variety of small business clients across northern Wisconsin.
"We've made outstanding progress with help from Heidelberg." said Steve Servi, company owner. "Their technicians are awesome. Heidelberg brings a level of expertise that's invaluable to a business like ours."
University of Tennessee Adds Second Printmaster QM 46
The campus print shop for the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. reports the purchase and installation of its second Printmaster QM 46-2. The new installation also includes Heidelberg's Prinect Prepress Interface, which seamlessly links the shop's two-year-old, 4-color Speedmaster XL 105 with its prepress workflow system by transferring print-relevant parameters from prepress to the printing press.
"The Speedmaster XL 105 has exceeded our expectations in every way," said print shop manager Jack Williams, who cites Remote Diagnostics on the press with helping keep unplanned service calls to a minimum. He also credits Prinect Image Control with helping to minimize press setup times and enhance quality control. "It takes the guesswork out of color correction and control," he said. "Our customers noticed the improvement from the very start."
The new Printmaster QM 46-2, boosts the company's small-format capacity. "We purchased our first QM-46 six years ago," Williams said. "This press has been very reliable and productive. When we needed to increase our small sheet capacity, purchasing a second QM-46 was an easy decision." A pair of continuous-feed Stahlfolders (Stahl DCT 500 and a Stahl Digital with stacker), two POLAR cutters (30" POLAR 78X and a 42" POLAR 115 XT with jogger) and two large sheetfed presses (a 2-color 36" SORDZ and a 2-color 29" Speedmaster) round out the shop's lineup of Heidelberg equipment. Finally, Heidelberg Saphira consumables (ink foils, blankets, etc.) help ensure maximum performance and productivity in the pressroom.
In continuous operation for 50 years and more, the University of Tennessee print shop provides printing and mailing services for the entire university system, including copying services for students, faculty and other personnel. The print and mail operations currently employ a combined staff of 47.
Zapco Paper Brings Prepress In-House with Suprasetter 105 and Prinect Workflow
Zapco Paper, Inc., Smithville, Texas, a manufacturer of high-quality die-cut paper products and security papers, used to outsource its platemaking needs. Recently however, the company opted for greater control over its quality and costs by installing a Suprasetter 105 SCL-used to image Heidelberg Saphira Chemfree plates-with Prinect Prepress Manager workflow, Prinect MetaDimension RIP and Prinect Prepress Interface.
According to part owner Shannon Zapalac, print quality is already visibly better, and the company expects to achieve commensurate improvements in press run lengths in short order. All in all, Zaplac concluded, "We expect to save some money for us and for our customers."
Zapco's pressroom is home to a 6-color Heidelberg Speedmaster 102 perfector, a 2-color Printmaster QM 46-2, and a half-dozen cylinder die cutters. In the postpress department, the company operates three POLAR cutters, a POLAR jogger and a POLAR pile lift. "Heidelberg equipment is the best there is," Zapalac said.
Established in 1993, Zapco Paper serves a national client base and employs a staff of 27.
Lenoir Community College Invests in Students' Futures with Printmaster QM 46 Install
The Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology program at Lenoir Community College in Kinston, N.C. recently installed a 2-color Printmaster QM 46 from Heidelberg in its student training lab. The program aims to prepare its graduates for well-paying jobs in the local printing community. According to department chairman Dwight Downie, firms in the area typically trust the Heidelberg brand and use Heidelberg small-format equipment, making it more likely than not that graduates will be required to operate a Heidelberg Printmaster QM 46 when and where they land a job.
"It makes sense to offer our students training on the equipment they'll be asked to use when they join the workforce," Downie said. "Eventually, we'd like to replace all of our small duplicators with Heidelberg QM 46 presses."
The QM 46 brings a new level of technological sophistication to Lenoir's classroom printing lab, Downie said, citing semi-automated features including AutoPlate plate-hanging, electronic sheet monitoring, and alcohol-free continuous dampening system. For now, he added, the focus is on providing upcoming graduates with as much training time on the new press as possible.
Of the 4500 students currently enrolled at Lenoir Community College, approximately 62 are full-time Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology majors. Founded in 1978, the program also functions as the college printing facility where student technical assistants help out as part of a work-study program.
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