Spingold set for Duplo die-cutting first

Spingold Design & Print is set to become the UK’s first user of Duplo’s new die-cutter aimed at mid-volume digital printers.

The company signed the deal during Drupa for the PFi Di-Cut 300, which had its worldwide launch at the show in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The 3,000sph on-demand die-cutter can be used to produce multiple cuts, slits, slit score, kiss cuts, perforations and window punches for single or multiple-up pieces.

It is due at the company's base in Sudbury, Suffolk in around two weeks' time and the list price of the machine is around £80,000. The Duplo will be in addition to existing kit.

The Di-Cut is aimed at digital print and packaging applications including custom-shaped brochures and mailers, retail tags, direct mailers, stationery, retail packages, labels and folded boxes.

Spingold director Ed Oakes said: “We do huge amounts of business cards and tags. This PFi die-cutter is ideal for round-corner applications.

“The system is so fast yet 100% accurate on every item produced and will create a time saving of up to 75% in the finishing department. It will open up new business such as intricate stickers.”

Oakes' five-staff business has quadrupled in size over the past five years and now boasts a turnover of around £500,000.

He added: “We needed to speed up production for business and postcards with rounded corners, which we were having to cut and round corners separately.

"By doing it in one hit makes us three of fours times faster. The new machine will take pressure off the other cut, crease and folding equipment.”

Last spring Spingold invested in a Ricoh Pro C7100 digital press and two Duplo finishing devices to boost its productivity and service offering.

The Duplo 350 digital booklet system and Duplo DC-745 multifinisher were followed by an investment in an Ideal 7260 guillotine.

Spingold also operates Xerox digital kit, a D110, a 700 and a Color J75, as well as an Epson 9900 and HP Latex printer on its wide-format side.

Oakes added: “Duplo kit is so reliable, as is the servicing. The people, too, are just so friendly as well.”