Target Print switches to environmental PRO-T plate
Yorkshire printer's hassle-free switch to PRO-T plates from Fujifilm
Leeds-based Target Print was founded by Joy Rice, in a garage in 1994. Since then it has developed into a million pound company with 11 employees and new company premises. The company produces a variety of corporate and commercial print ranging from flyers, posters, labels, and swing tags, running two five-colour B2 Heidelberg Speedmaster presses.
Target Print works with customers such as Boots, Asda, Ikea, Parcelforce, Leeds City Council, Leeds University, Past Times, Mr Muscle and the National Trust. It is also one of the leading print suppliers to the UK promotional and leisure industry producing printed material for top nightclubs such as Gatecrasher and Ministry of Sound.
Previously, Target Print had been outsourcing all of its repro work. As demand increased, it became apparent that, in order to reduce costs and control quality, the company should look to bring all repro processes in-house.
With space at a premium, the company's management team decided that a processless system was the way forward, as the lack of processor would save valuable space. Target Print had successfully been using Fuji's Brillia LH-PIE thermal CTP plates for several years. Impressed with Fuji's quality and service, the company had no hesitation in trialling the Fuji Brillia HD PRO-T thermal processless plates.
Joy Rice, managing director of Target Print, says: "We have always used Fuji plates so, when we decided to switch to processless plates, Fuji was the obvious choice. The switch to PRO-T has been hassle-free and was helped further still by Fuji's excellent customer service. As we were new to handling our own repro, Fuji provided two full days of intensive training. By the end of these two days, Fuji's support team ensured that the system was fully functioning and that all of our operating staff were in complete control of the process."
In addition to the space and cost benefits, Target Print wanted a solution that was easy to use, quick, environmentally-friendly, and caused as little mess and waste as possible.
Joy comments: "The absence of a processor opened up a new way of working for us. In addition to saving plate processing time, the quality of the PRO-T plate means that make-ready time is the same as with a standard plate. We don't have to clean up on press any more frequently and there's no effect on run length or drying time.
"Also, working without a processor is easier than we thought it would be. We have found that once the platesetter is set-up, the PRO-T plates can be left in the automatic stacker to be fed through overnight. This means that we don't have to assign a specific member of staff to a processor, allowing them to continue with other jobs. In total, using PRO-T has saved us up to two working hours a week."
Target Print aims to deliver quality print, with a fast turnaround, as well as 100 per cent reliability at highly competitive prices. Joy adds: "Using PRO-T enables us to provide our customers with a fast and reliable service. For certain jobs in the past, printing digitally has been quicker and cheaper, especially for shorter run work. However, we have found that by using PRO-T, we can be just as fast and cost effective, producing a much higher quality finish compared to digitally printed jobs."
As a company, Target Print has strong environmental concerns and actively researched new developments in environmentally-friendly technology. Joy states: "Choosing a processless solution makes the company greener, means staff don't have to work with hazardous chemicals and dramatically cuts our overall chemical waste and waste disposal costs. This is a massive bonus and we are very pleased that we can now offer our customers a greener print solution."
Joy concludes: "Since installing Fuji's PRO-T plates, we have been delighted with the whole process, which has run smoothly from the start. We wanted a solution that allowed us to bring repro work in-house without compromising valuable space, while at the same time enabling us to provide a more efficient, cost effective and environmentally-friendly service to our customers. PRO-T has provided us with exactly that and continues to impress us with its consistent high quality results and ease of use."
