Craft Creations halves magazine production time with Presstek buy

Craft Creations has more than halved the time it takes to print its customer magazine after investing in a Presstek 52DI press complete with stream feeder.

The Hertfordshire-based board and paper converter, and producer of stickers for the UK craft industry, replaced an existing B2 four-colour Komori press with the Presstek to produce its 18,000-run magazine – Craft Creations Magazine.

Production of the company's quarterly 48pp A4 title, which is written, designed, photographed and printed in-house, has been cut from 21 to 10 days, saving the company "several thousand pounds".

Dave Kearley, production manager at Craft Creations, said: "We have seen an enormous difference in output since we upgraded to the 52DI press."

The family-owned company, which was established 21 years ago, operates from a 3,901sqm site in Cheshunt.

Craft Creations prints on a variety of stock, including art papers, board, transparent paper and self-adhesive stickers.

The company anticipates the chemistry-free process of the new Presstek will help bolster its green credentials.

Kearley said: "The speed of makeready was very appealing. The quality was good and fitted in well with the company's environmental philosophy.

"We don't waste as much material ... and that's important because we are often printing on expensive stock."