Taylor Brothers makes digital foray

Bristol family-run litho printers Taylor Brothers is making its first move into digital after choosing a Heidelberg Linoprint C901.

The digital press will be installed at the city’s oldest printers in three weeks, as part of a total investment of around £150,000 for the press and finishing equipment.

The move follows the adoption of Heidelberg's Prinect Color Toolbox, for colour calibration and control on its two litho Speedmaster CD 74s, two years ago.

Managing director Charles Taylor said that HP and Kodak presses had also made the shortlist during nine months of research and planning.

"We looked at the other options but we needed a good mid-range press which offered the best digital quality," he added.

Taylor said the company had considered buying directly from manufacturers Ricoh but were swayed but its long relationship with the litho manufacturer.

"I think Ricoh are very nice people but we are a Heidelberg house. We use Heidelberg colour management and we have worked quite closely with Heidelberg over the years," he said.

The company has a wide range of customers across industries primarily based in the South West, which currently place digital work elsewhere.

Taylor said he predicted going digital would allow the business to grow by 10% from a current annual turnover of around £2.75m.