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Case study

Ballyprint and Impro Printing expand capabilities with multiple Fujifilm technology investments

Reading time: 6 minutes

The installation of the Acuity Prime has already provided significant benefits to the company. Klewchuk adds: “Jobs that previously took days to complete can now be turned around in a matter of hours, thanks to the Acuity Prime’s efficiency. This improvement has been particularly crucial in meeting the tight deadlines often demanded by clients, especially for large format printing projects.”

“Our previous machine was nearly fifteen years old, and the upgrade to the Acuity Prime has been transformative,” Klewchuk continues. “The speed of the new machine is at least 45% faster, and the energy and ink consumption have both significantly decreased. This has not only improved our turnaround times but also reduced our operational costs.”

In August 2024, Ballyprint continued to expand its capabilities with the installation of the Revoria Press PC1120, a toner press known for its superior print quality and versatility. “With our previous machine, we saw an opportunity to serve the creative market with metallic finishes and speciality colours,” says Klewchuk. “With the Revoria Press PC1120, we’re taking it a step further. Its ability to print vivid colours like fluorescent pink, along with improved handling of synthetic materials, allows us to offer even more to our clients, especially those in the creative industries.”

And the Fujifilm investments did not end there. Belfast-based Impro Printing, a B2 commercial print company acquired by Klewchuk in 2022 to prevent it from going into liquidation, has also benefited from the partnership with Fujifilm. As part of a broader effort to revive and expand Impro Printing’s business, the installation of the Revoria Press EC1100 in September 2024 is expected to support the company’s growing demand for digital print services and enhance service offerings across both businesses.

Klewchuk explains: “Impro Printing has been a crucial part of our growth strategy. Since acquiring the company, we’ve witnessed great success, and we’re on track to continue that momentum. The addition of the Revoria EC1100 allows us to keep up with the increased volume of digital work while complementing our sheet-fed litho services. It’s a versatile machine that can handle a wide range of jobs, ensuring we can meet the growing demands of our clients.”

Both Ballyprint and Impro Printing’s investments are a testament to their strong partnership with Fujifilm. Aaron adds: “We chose Fujifilm not just for their machines but for the people behind the brand. The support and service we’ve received from the Fujifilm team have been second to none. Their roadmap for growth in the UK aligns perfectly with our vision for the future.”

Looking ahead, Ballyprint and Impro Printing are poised for further growth and expansion, leveraging these new technologies to stay ahead of industry trends. “With Fujifilm as a partner, we’re confident that we can continue to push boundaries and deliver exceptional value to our clients,” Klewchuk concludes.

Andy Kent, General Manager, Fujifilm Graphic Communications, UK & Ireland adds: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Ballyprint and Impro Printing. Their decision to invest in the Acuity Prime, Revoria Press PC1120 and EC1100 underscores their commitment to quality and innovation. As the first company in Ireland to adopt these technologies, they’re setting a new standard for excellence in the commercial print sector, and we look forward to supporting them on their journey.”

Case study

EA Printing looks to the future with Fujifilm Revoria Press PC1120 investment

Reading time: 5 minutes

Saulsbury comments: “We’d never dealt with Fujifilm before, because until recently they haven’t been directly involved in the toner market in the UK. Though of course, as everyone knows, Fujifilm-made digital toner presses have been around for a long time, and we’d been using one ourselves for a number of years. I’d always been very impressed with the technology, so when I started seeing a few articles in the trade press about Fujifilm entering the toner market directly in the UK, I was interested. I know the quality of their products and I liked the idea of working with them directly.

“Ultimately it was a visit from a Fujifilm wide format sales rep that really got the ball rolling. He came to talk to us about wide format, but we quickly got talking about Revoria, and it all went from there.

“We did consider a few other options, including sticking with our existing supplier, but ultimately we decided that we needed to take the opportunity to invest in something that was going to help us differentiate our offering and grow our business, rather than just stand still and keep doing what we had been doing. When we’d decided that, the choice was obvious.”

EA Printing’s Revoria Press PC1120 was installed in late December 2023 and was put straight to work from early January. “It was incredibly busy right away,” Saulsbury continues. “Even before we were fully trained up on how to use it, we had jobs coming in. We really liked the fact that it had a white ink option, with all the requests we get now for printing on dark or coloured board. We’d also immediately seen the potential for the gold and silver ink options to win us high value work with metallic effects. But, somewhat to our surprise, the biggest advantage so far has been the pink ink – which has already won us some greeting cards work. The creative agency sourcing the greetings cards needed a print supplier who could produce fluorescent colours, and the florescent pink we can achieve on the PC1120 was exactly right for what they needed.

“The other advantage of the pink, from a much more practical point of view, is that we can now match far more pantone colours than we could before. We’re always getting customers bringing slightly unusual colours to us and asking if we can match them. With the pink, we can do that far more now than we could before.”

With so much more the company can now offer, EA Printing is planning some open days for creative agencies to come and see the creative potential of the special colours and effects now on offer. Aside from the special colours, Saulsbury also notes the improved productivity and quality they’re noticing compared with their previous press.

“The quality has surprised me.” Saulsbury confesses. “I knew it was a step up from what we had before – but hadn’t expected that step up to be as big as it has. We’ve really noticed it and we’ve had customers remark on it as well. “It’s also a lot faster than what we had before, which is particularly noticeable when we’re crunching through longer run print jobs. Then there’s the long sheet format option, which we can also duplex print from a high capacity tray. Taken altogether, it all adds up to a massive productivity boost.”

In a challenging market, Saulsbury is confident about his own company’s prospects and sees his new investment and partnership with Fujifilm as positive steps in facing that future.

Case study

Impress Print Services expands capabilities and enhances efficiency with triple investment in Fujifilm digital print solutions

Reading time: 5 minutes

After one of the company’s previous digital machines reached end of life, the team at Impress were exploring various options in the market. Michael Kille, Managing Director, Impress Print Services, comments: “The quality produced on our previous digital machine was good, but there were productivity issues. Now, the Fujifilm machines do what we need them to do straight away, with minimal downtime, enhancing our overall business productivity and efficiency. Furthermore, our production capabilities and our value offering have been significantly enhanced through the addition of B2 digital, which complements our litho offering.

“Additionally,” Kille continues. “The special colours on the Revoria PC1120 have really helped us to retain certain types of work that would previously have been B1 litho printed, and we’re delighted with the quality and productivity of the monochrome Revoria E1.”

The new presses have propelled Impress into new markets, such as short-run packaging (through the Jet Press), and enabled it to bring previously outsourced B1 litho work in-house (through the Revoria presses).

Impress is a business that prioritises sustainability; as evidenced through their commitment to recycling materials; their ongoing sustainability programme, and the harnessing of solar power for their own energy needs. When considering the investment, Impress placed huge importance on the overall environmental credentials of the new machines.

Michael comments: “Since installing the Fujifilm machines, we’ve seen a significant reduction in power usage. In particular, with the efficiencies created by the Jet Press 750S, its B2 capability and enhanced productivity, coupled with the lack of breakdowns and smooth workflow, our waste and downtime has reduced and output has significantly increased.”

He concludes: “It’s been a fantastic experience working with Fujifilm through the sales and installation process, and they are always responsive when providing ongoing support. They are truly one of the top suppliers in the industry. Thanks to Fujifilm, we now have the best in inkjet and the best in toner, and a business that runs more productively and effectively than ever before.”

Taro Aoki, Head of Digital Press Solutions, Fujifilm Graphic Communications Europe comments: “Fujifilm is unique in the market in offering the best of both toner and inkjet solutions and it’s always particularly rewarding to partner with businesses who recognise the enormous potential of the combination of these new technologies. But our market-leading technologies are only half of the story. We’re equally proud of the service we provide after installation as we help businesses to develop and grow. This bold investment from Impress is just the beginning, we look forward to working with them in the months and years to come as they grow their offering and their business and bring the benefits of best-in-class-toner and inkjet technology to their own customers.”

Case Study

Paragon Germany confirms investment in Fujifilm Imprinting Solution for direct mail printing

Reading time: 4 minutes

“It’s also proven technology,” Mr Wein continues. “Fujifilm has a long heritage in inkjet, and its imprinting solutions are tried and tested. They’re a strong and respected manufacturer and a financially robust and stable company that we know we can depend on over the long term.

“The fact that Fujifilm acquired Unigraphica in 2022 was also a factor in our investment decision. The combination of Fujifilm and Unigraphica inkjet systems integration expertise was a very attractive proposition.”

“Finally, Fujifilm was also able to provide a bespoke system as large as one metre wide. No one else we spoke to was able to do that. And furthermore, compared with our legacy system, the Fujifilm imprinting system gives us more up-time, shorter set-up times and results in far less waste.”

Stefan Steinle, Sales & Business Development Manager, FUJIFILM Integrated Inkjet Solutions, Europe comments: “We’re delighted that a company of Paragon’s reputation and standing has chosen to invest in Fujifilm inkjet imprinting technology. We look forward to boosting Paragon’s productivity, and reducing its costs for many years to come.”