Director Mark Thomas says the fully automated machine they bought ex-showroom from the Sakurai factory in Japan through New Zealand agent Printing Supplies & Machinery Ltd, has exceeded expectations and given the company some of its best months ever, in terms of turnover.
Auckland’s North Shore based QSP Print was established by Mark and Nicola Thomas just over six years ago, shortly after Mark completed his adult off-set printing apprenticeship and the couple haven’t looked back since.
Four years later they bought an older second hand four-colour machine with the intention of entering the four colour market and trading the machine in within a two year period.
Their corporate clientele grew so much, they made the decision to trade up to a brand new press a little earlier, and after extensive research into the press that would best suit their work and their budget, the Sakurai was installed 24 months later, to the day.
Mark says the new machine has exceeded their expectations with its automated specifications, cutting make-ready times to a third and enabling them to increase their capacity by a significant amount.
“We specialise in top quality fast turnaround agency work and this machine has performed perfectly from the first day it was up and running. It was well priced for the number of features it offers. In fact, it has more automation than I had initially wished for.”
He says he’s been particularly impressed with the way ink is put down on solids, an important aspect in presentation folders, magazines and glossy brochures. “There are no lines at all, no loss of colour and every single print is good. There are very few overs needed.”
The water-chilled rollers are a big plus, keeping the ink temperature constant, as is the automatic plate changing feature and the CIP4 interface. Ink profiles can be emailed directly to the press, another time saving attribute, he says.
A new press is a big acquisition for a smaller company, and Mark says he’s been very pleased with the before and after sales service from PS&M from the information they were given on the machine through to the installation and subsequent training and follow-up service.
