Digital
Print veteran takes on digital rivals with start-up short-run litho company
Print veteran Nigel Wallbank is to launch Think Colour, a start-up print company specialising in short-run litho, competing with digital alternatives.
Wallbank, who has 22 years of experience in print has moved into a 186sqm site in Wetherby, where he will install a Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 52-4+L Anicolour, a Suprasetter A52, and a Polar 78X guillotine.
Wallbank said: "There is a gap in the market for litho which can compete with digital technology. The quality of digital has a long way to go. Although some results are good, it's not consistent. After only a few hundred, digital loses its advantage."
The purchase was financed through State Securities with a deal brokered by Mark Quinn of, newly formed print finance company BPFL.
Wallbank said he was not fazed by the current market. "It is tough out there," he acknowledged. "But the upshot of that is that more people will shop around and the Anicolour gives us a significant advantage in the market."
Think Colour will start up later this month and will be based at the Thorp Arch Trading Estate in Wetherby, Leeds.
Think Colour has recently bought a SM 52-4+L Anicolour
Comments
Matthew Parker - 20 June 2008
Print run are set to get shorter. I really think there is a gap in the market for a B3 litho printer with the mindset of a digital printer.
Matthew Parker
www.printandprocurement.com
Simon Biltcliffe- Webmart - 20 June 2008
Is King Canute a partner?
Simon Biltcliffe
MD
WEBMART
Julie Cook - 20 June 2008
Well done Nigel, there is a need for very short run litho, so don't let comments from Simon Bitcliffe or others put you off.
I'm sure work from local printers alone could keep you busy.
Mark Smith - 23 June 2008
Good idea and good luck. A litho startup in 2008, who'd have thought it!
Peter Reeves - 23 June 2008
The kiiller application for digital is personalisation. Where there is no personalisation litho can easily compete. OK, it's a brave move by Nigel but he's got every chance of success despite Simon's well thought out argument against!
Brian Kewley - 28 June 2008
Good luck, great idea!
Niche markets are very accessible for a short run litho printer such as the miniature market, nod nod wink wink!
Brian Kewley
www.loughlinpharma.com
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