SCREEN HAS STAGED A TWO-DAY customer event to show off the TruepressJet SX installation at RCS in Retford. Customers from across the UK joined those from the Benelux countries representing photobook and greetings cards printers in particular.
As well as the B2 inkjet press being put through its paces, the visitors were also shown the digital embossing capabilities of RCS twin Scodix installation. While the ability to add a clear, raised spot varnish through the Scodix inkjet system is a clear match to the digital print from the Screen machine, RCS group managing director Michael Todd explains that few customers have yet chosen to take this option.
HOWEVER, HE DOES HAVE AN ORDER for 8,000 packs of playing cards which will carry the standard printed face and also a raised braille identifier on the cards to allow sighted and non-sighted players to compete in the same game. The playing cards will be printed on the TrupressJet SX, the format allowing an entire pack to be printed at the same time. A website has been set up to allow customers to create personalised packs, either by simply changing the design on the back of the pack to carry a promotional message perhaps or to personalise the faces with 52 different image as well as the individualised backs.
The format might be also be used for a variety of messages, a DIY store to show instructions for a variety of tasks, rather than as a playable deck of cards. And the company is approaching magicians with the idea of creating the unusual mix of playing cards that are needed for certain tricks.
CURRENTLY THE CARDS ARE being printed to board which has been microperfed on a Bobst platen by a trade supplier. However the company has a Chinese built machine on order which will slit and stack the cards automatically at a rate of 800 an hour, which is a match for the Screen’s print output. Each deck is sold for £5.
For Screen the more exciting potential for the press is in the emerging personalised gifting market. “This is where the photobook was in 2002,” says Wim Konnig, Screen’s technology evangelist. This is the idea that online purchases can be individualised to the purchaser or recipient. A Dutch jewellery company is excited by the prospect he says. More prosaically, RCS has struck a deal with a chocolate company to create event sleeves, rather like advent calendars which count down to a landmark event with personalised messages behind the doors and names and images on the front changed accordingly. “This is only possible because of the B2 format,” says Todd.
RCS is close to finalising details of a contract with a major retail brand which would take the concept of personalised gift packaging into the high street. If this takes off and demand for the playing cards grows as planned, the company will need further capacity. “The room has space for two machines,” Todd says.
