DTP boosts cutting efficiency with Vivid investment

DTP has taken on a Magnum MCC-35AS cutter-creaser from Vivid Laminating Technologies to increase its efficiency.

The device, which can process substrates up to 400gsm at a maximum speed of 20 sheets/min, was installed at the Edinburgh-based digital printer’s 372sqm site last month. It was brought in to replace a Uchida Nano card cutter, which will be retained for now as a back-up.

DTP managing director Alun Joseph said: “The Magnum wasn’t something we were actively looking for to fill a hole in the business but when I saw what it could do I thought it would be a benefit.

“It offers a lot of features at a very approachable price point and will take a lot of work away from the guillotine to ease the bottleneck there.

“We are producing a lot of orders of A4 leaflets at 10, 20 or 30 copies throughout every day.

“The Magnum means we don’t have to wait to batch them to cut at the guillotine, nor spend ages splitting the orders once cut. The conveyor delivery means it is easy to pick up the orders for dispatch and we can just throw the same format orders at it as they are printed.”

He added: “We also have a number of repeat format orders for things like tent cards and folded business cards. Previously these would be cut at the guillotine and creased on an existing folder or possibly even hand creased.

“These items and several other like it will now be ready to dispatch straight off the Magnum with the operator time only loading and selecting the program rather than standing cutting and creasing.

“The barcode reader gives us even more time saving when setting up the job to run and, with or without barcodes, switching between formats is so quick.”

Joseph said the new machine, which has joined three Ricoh digital printers and other finishing kit from Duplo and Morgana at the 13-staff business, has saved “hours of operator time in a day”.

“The Magnum cuts and slits cleanly and has handled all sorts of laminated and even heavy weight synthetic stock. It sits very well with the repeat formats we produce every day and for that reason is proving to be a key piece of equipment in our constant drive for efficiency.”

DTP was established in 1983. The £1m-turnover family business serves clients both local and nationwide, offering general commercial print and a trade service to both litho and often digital printers that are unable to produce laser cut, foiled, white printed or landscape formats in-house.