The Wellington, Somerset-based firm has installed a Ricoh C901 press and Pro C5100 to replace a Konica Minolta 6501.
“Moving into digital print was the best thing we ever did and now most of our work is digital,” said director Mark Gladstone-Smith. “The Ricohs ticked all our boxes for our next digital investment. The ability to handle 350gsm stock means we can move all our business card work off litho to digital.”
The C901 is used for bigger jobs while the 5100 is used for smaller and more specialist work.
“We do a lot of wedding stationery on textured stocks such as Conqueror, and the 5100’s VCSEL technology ensures that we get good quality and transfer,” said Gladstone-Smith.
In addition to the two presses the firm also invested in a new factory this summer, taking a 250sqm industrial unit, where the Ricohs were installed, in addition to its high street shop. It is currently adding an additional 125sqm mezzanine in the industrial unit to house its next investments.
“At the rate we’re growing it won’t be long before we need another 901, or maybe the new C9100/C9110,” he said.
More immediate plans include beefing up its wide-format production and taking on an apprentice.
“We’re hoping our apprentice will start next month,” he said. “ It will be nice to put something back into the community by employing a local and to get them into print.”
Carly Press is a third-generation family firm, founded by Gladstone-Smith’s grandparents. It currently employs eight staff and has sales of almost £500,000.
