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Gardners digital manager Kristel Moncarey found that the Agfa Dotrix Modular has opened up profitable new markets for the Cardiff-based specialist printer

What does the machine do?
It’s a high-speed, single-pass four-colour inkjet web printer.

Why did you choose this particular machine?
For its versatility and speed.

Did you look at any other similar machines?
We did look, but we’ve found that there is nothing like it out there that currently competes.

Why did you make the purchase?
We already had the Dotrix Compact, which had helped us to build the market. The Modular enables us to fulfil the demand created.

What features do you particularly like?
It is low-cost, high-speed and can print on to a huge range of materials.

Is there anything that you dislike?
It’s a very complicated machine, which means it is hard to find the skilled staff that are able to operate it.

Is there anything that you wish it had that it doesn’t?
It would be good to see a wider version. The wider the web, the more flexible the machine would be. But we understand that the wider version is a tough call from an engineering perspective.

How fast is it?
The 64cm-wide web runs at 24 linear metres per minute, which means it produces 922m2 per hour.

How reliable is it?
With the new ink-flow system, it’s very reliable.

What’s the quality like?
Quality has never been an issue. The quality is better than is needed and that is the case even on really rubbish materials.

How easy is it to use?
It’s not an easy machine to use. The need for nitrogen generation and ozone extraction from the UV curing means it needs a lot of ancillary equipment.

How much time or money has it saved?
It hasn’t saved any time or money, but it created a new market for us.

Has it won you any new work?
It’s a shop window that attracts firms to talk to us and it has enabled us to win a specific type of work for several major retailers.

Would you say that it offers value for money?
Yes.

Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?
It’s a complicated machine and it needs nitrogen, chilled water, pressurised air and ozone extraction to be laid on prior to installation, but that’s not a criticism.

What about the pre- and after-sale service?
They were both excellent.

Who do you think the machine is right for?
It’s a very specialised machine that is not suited to the general commercial printer. You need to have a lot of work to fill it. It’s ideal if you have high volumes of short runs.

Under what circumstances would you buy another?
In a year to 18 months down the line, there is a 50/50 chance that we’ll have two or three machines. It’s a machine for big contracts and we’re working on a huge contract that could fill three machines.

CONCLUSION

User’s verdict   
Speed 5/5
Quality 5/5
Reliability 4/5
Value for money 4/5

Supplier’s response    
Agfa’s Dotrix key account manager Alan Strickland says: It’s the services around the machine that are the complication. We know the right suppliers and help to ensure the services are ready prior to installation. The Dotrix Modular is suitable for point-of-purchase, folding cartons, flexible packaging and labels. There are not many machines that can address the analogue to digital migration of those markets that are built like Dotrix. It’s an industrial machine designed to run for 24/7.

Price From £765,000-£970,000

Contact Agfa UK 020 8231 492