PRINTSHOP LEAD THE WAY

Printshop Direct Image Ltd took the UK's first GH525


    • Printshop installation


    Printshop Direct Image Ltd has installed the revolutionary Hans-Gronhi GH525 five colour B3 press from UK supplier Printers Superstore. The installation took place to coincide with the company's move to a new 3,000sq ft premises in the centre of Leicester.


    Does it Deliver ?

    The GH525 represents a serious challenge to established European and Japanese offset press manufacturers by offering an alternative which carries the latest quality and productivity features, for a substantially lower purchase price. The question being asked by the industry is, can this machine deliver the required standards of engineering and production quality for such a small investment? For Printshop's MD John Boggis, the answer is a resounding 'yes.'


    Price

    "We looked at the Hans Gronhi machine because of the price, but we bought it because of the quality," he says. "When we went to Printers Superstore in Leeds to view the machine we were curious, perhaps even sceptical, but as soon as we saw it, we could immediately see this is a serious piece of kit. For that kind of money you expect something flimsy but it's built like a tank! It's the heaviest machine in its class, and absolutely solid."


    Printshop has its roots in high street quick-printing, but expanded into quality commercial offset printing in the late 1990s as a pioneer of press/CtP integration. The company now produces some high prestige print for some of the world's best known brand names through agency clients. With exacting standards to maintain, print quality was crucial.

    "People have always been surprised by the quality we can achieve using B3 offset and polyester plates, and we can honestly say the GH525 prints as well as anything we have used in the past, in fact we think it holds colour better and quality is more consistent," he says. "In this market we are competing against digital, so we have to maintain an edge in print quality, but fast turnround times are also vital. Not long after the Gronhi press was installed, we printed a job requiring 64 plate changes in a day, this was quite a test for the semi automatic plate changer. The plates were all off and on fast, and every single one was precisely in register. We're ploughing through the work now."


    Integration

    Pre-press integration was another factor for Printshop as they sought to minimise downtime and achieve reliable quality. "The Gronhi machine has a CIP3 off-press system which links in to our RIP for quick set-ups," says Mr Boggis. "For fine tuning, we've also integrated a automatic colour bar scanner which brings complete density control. We can get up to quality in 20 run-up sheets or less."


    The GH525 is Printshop's first five colour press. Mr Boggis says he made the move from four colour for a variety of reasons; routinely, the fifth unit is used as a seal to aid drying time, especially on silk and matt stocks, with the ability to print special colours a welcome bonus. "It's all about turnaround and quality, and the GH525 has improved both."


    Verdict

    When asked for his verdict on the prospects for the Hans Gronhi machine in the UK, Mr Boggis is unequivocal. "Once you realise the quality is there, the economics make it an absolute no-brainer," he says. "Other suppliers offered us big discounts, but even then, they couldn't get anywhere near the price of the Gronhi. In some cases, the difference was in six figures - we could almost get two of these for the price of an alternative. Even if it's worth nothing in five years - which isn't going to happen - I won't have lost out." He says. "Plus, we've been reassured by the service Printers Superstore offer, they have been responsive and professional from day one."


    He concludes; "We've had other companies come in to have a look and they can't believe what we got for the money we spent. I would say to anyone looking at B3, you would be mad not to look at Hans Gronhi."


    ONE YEAR ON : "No Regrets"


    "When we saw the machine we were impressed, but it was an unknown, and we had people trying to frighten us by saying it couldn't deliver the quality.” “We have proved them wrong - it's producing to the high standards our blue chip customers expect, and we haven't had any problems whatsoever."


    "For that kind of money you expect something flimsy but it's built like a tank! It's the heaviest machine in its class, and absolutely solid. We looked at the Hans Gronhi machine because of the price, but we bought it because of the quality - I would say to anyone looking at B3, you would be mad not to look at Gronhi."


    Increased Sales

    "The GH525 has contributed to a 50% rise in sales, and is now operated on a double day shift. It is running almost non-stop five days a week. As well as the quality, the productivity is great, but the bottom line is cost.” “The Gronhi is equal to any machine on the market, but it's nearly half the price, so my repayments are low. We've also had superb service from Printers Superstore from day one."