Envelope firm SEM chases eco boost with Fuji plates

SEM Envelope Manufacturing has tried to green up and double productivity after investing in Fujifilm Brillia HD Pro-T plates.

The Derby-based firm, part of the Hamelin Group, produces bespoke envelopes for a variety of blue-chip clients and outputs the plates on its Lotem 800 platesetter.

SEM repro manager Richard Evans said the environment was "high on the agenda" when choosing the new kit.

The printer has experienced no chemical waste from the plates as "once the plate is on the press, there's nothing left behind to clean up".

The 40-staff firm has achieved runs of "well over 100,000" and in one case, completed a run of 235,000 with the new plates.

He added that one Fuji competitor's processless plate ran to "about 50,000 impressions", while exposing at seven plates per hour compared to 15-20 on the Pro-T.

Evans told printweek.com: "With Pro-T, we've seen a better image, faster imaging speeds and increased productivity enormously."