Print On bolsters press hall with new wide-format and digital kit

Print On has invested in a raft of new digital and wide-format machinery to support its expansion and enable it to handle work for an increasing number of blue-chip clients.

The Cheadle, Cheshire-based business bought Mimaki equipment including a JFX200 LED UV flatbed and two JV300 solvent printers from Preston-based reseller Granthams in March. It is also due to take delivery of a Xerox Versant 2100 in the next few weeks.

The business had been considering making a flatbed investment for around a year, to enable it to produce POS collateral for its customers. It considered a range of other devices from manufacturers including Canon but found the Mimaki kit to be best suited to its requirements.

Marketing director Keith Oldfield said: “We’ve built up strong relationships with our customers over the years but were conscious that there were additional print and production related services we could offer.

“We deal with a lot of large companies that have got multiple outlets so POS was staring us in the face."

The 100ppm Xerox Versant 2100 has joined three other Xerox digital printers at the firm’s 232sqm premises. The sheetfed SRA3-format digital toner press can print on stocks from 52gsm up to 350gsm and offers finishes such as pearlescent, metallic and textured.

“We’ve bought the Xerox to spread work across four presses instead of three. As it’s a Versant we can do a little bit more on thick card,” said Oldfield.

“The whole team focuses on doing the utmost for all our customers and the new machines really complement that ethos with their sheer speed and productivity.”

Print On also operates a range of finishing kit including guillotines and perfect binding machines.

Managing director Alex Oldfield said the new machines have been pivotal to attracting new business.

“Print On has always believed in investing in its key resources of equipment and staff. An investment of this magnitude confirms our position and underlines our capabilities to customers new and old.

“We’re already responding to some very interesting new enquiries as a result of recommendations from existing customers.”

The family-run business, which was established in 1995, has eight staff and is aiming to achieve a turnover of around £1m this year.

It offers a range of commercial print services including business stationery, promotional brochures and marketing collateral for customers including major UK high street names, local businesses and European customers.

In recent years the firm has expanded its services to offer wide-format services including large prints, bespoke POS items and exhibition graphics.