Browse our clientsDomino, the world leader in in-line variable data printing and product identification, has confirmed that South Wales-based Stephens & George Print Group is benefiting from improved workflow efficiency, increased cost-savings and higher quality printing following the recent installation of the very latest high-speed Domino Bitjet+ in-line digital printing system.
Domino’s extremely compact Bitjet+ v4.5 forms part of a new mailing line investment at the 120,000 sq ft showcase plant of Stephens & George Magazines in Merthyr Tydfil, where it runs in conjunction with a SITMA W1150-0 Automatic wrapping machine. The application sees the versatile Bitjet+, which offers print speeds up to 15m/second (49 ft/s), undertake fast-run variable data printing of addresses, Printed Postage Impressions (PPIs) and indicias. The system is used on some 400 or so titles that S&G produces monthly for a companies ranging from small entrepreneurial publishers to large, multi-national organisations.
Importantly, the impressive attributes of the Bitjet+ effectively meet the changing demands of S&G’s customers, a requirement which instigated the company’s decision to update its existing VDP equipment. If required, the Bitjet+ can print variable text including addresses, bitmap graphics, and a comprehensive range of barcodes and 2D codes, thereby meeting S&G’s current needs, as well as those it is likely to face in the future.
“It’s an increasingly competitive market, where we’re asked with increasing regularity whether we can vary certain aspects of our clients’ print jobs,” explains S&G’s Group Bindery Manager, Marcus Partridge. “Our existing equipment had served us very well but was not able to meet the latest demands in terms of speed, quality and flexibility that we need to take us forward. We realised that in order to maintain our market position and reputation, we would have to sharpen our offering and invest in more innovative equipment.”
According to Marcus, the Bitjet+ has made a significant impact on the company’s extensive mailing operation by delivering tangible improvements in print resolution, while increasing capacity and contributing to overall cost-savings. “The quality of printed addresses is much better than our previous kit and has even led customers to remark on the noticeable difference,” he explains. “From a capacity perspective, it’s in a different league; prior to the Bitjet+ we had the means to handle around 6000 packages an hour, but can now manage 18,000.”
Since the investment in the new mailing line, S&G is enjoying other new efficiency gains thanks to the Bitjet+’s ability to print PPI’s and indicia directly onto a 60mm white band on the polyfilm housing each mailpiece. “The Bitjet+ ensures that we no longer have to print addresses to a pre-printed carrier sheet, which reduces make-ready time and makes us more efficient from a workflow aspect,” continues Marcus. “By eliminating this sheet, we have also reduced our print and mailing costs.”
As Marcus explains, the multi-substrate capability of the Bitjet+ delivers other cost savings too. “We currently run 12 micron recyclable polythene, which is only achievable as a direct result of the Bitjet+ installation,” he says. “This in itself delivers a minimum overall cost saving of roughly 10%, while also being a far more environmentally friendly option – quite significant when you consider that we mail around 10 million packets per year.”
Reliability and user-friendliness were pre-requisite for any new system, affirms Marcus. “We knew that state-of-the-art VDP facilities would add a massive string to our bow but we also appreciated that there might be something of a learning curve,” he explains. “However, our concerns on this score were put to rest the minute we saw the Bitjet+ in action - something which was pivotal in swinging our decision in Domino’s favour.”
Marcus’s succinct appraisal encapsulates how Domino’s hallmark reputation as a dependable industry innovator has more than delivered to his company’s expectations. “We concluded that Domino represented a tried and tested brand and along with service and value, the Bitjet+ does exactly what it says on the tin. As far as we are concerned it stands head and shoulders above anything the competition can offer.”
