Lincoln print and creative design business Ruddocks has switched to a Cron platesetter after service and support for its existing machine was discontinued.
This prompted a search for a replacement for despite growth in digital printing, Ruddocks is dependent on its Speedmaster XL75 and needs to be able to feed it with a steady flow of plates.
In short, says production director Ady Potter, the role of the platesetter remains crucial. The criteria included quality of imaging, leading to examination of the market leading brands, but also at the behest of SOS, to consider the Cron as an alternative.
Potter says: “SOS was persistent in making the case of Cron, so we thought we would give them a chance to prove it.” This meant visits to other users to question its performance and reliability. The consequence was a realisation that the Cron 36H B2 platesetter would deliver what was required.
The platesetter is in effect a drop in replacement for the old machine, with a close integration to the Prinergy workflow and compact footprint for a space constrained business. It sits in the air conditioned space prepared for the outgoing platesetter.
The company has switched to the Fujifilm Superia develop on press plates, though Potter says the Cron has been set up to run an alternative plate should circumstances change at any point.
“We have also been impresses with the service SOS has provided and we’re confident of their support long term,” he adds.
“Around 35% of our turnover is litho. Generally it is for longer runs but we do have customers who prefer it even for short runs.
“Even though the digital print side of our business is ever increasing and recent investment has been in digital, litho remains important.”
The bulk is now digital and large format produced on an array of Canon, Konica Minolta and Mimaki machines. Two new KM AccurioPress 7210 engines have replaced older mono machines for a range of work that includes letters, operator manuals and other books. These are capable of 120ppm, giving the company scope to increase production of jobs that include work for local authorities, instruction manual and brochures where mono pages are enclosed in a colour cover. “We produced more than 3 million mono pages last year,” says Potter. Colour pages are produced on two Canon presses.
