New Zealand communications company, Benefitz, is set to become the first printer in the southern hemisphere to install a B2 digital inkjet press, with the Auckland company set to receive the new Dainippon Screen B2-sized Truepress JetSX by early June.
The order was placed through Screen’s New Zealand distributor Fujifilm NZ and is the third piece of SCREEN production equipment to feature on the floor of the company, which operates both digital and offset machines.
The SCREEN Truepress JetSX will be delivered and installed in late May or early June and was selected by Benefitz directors, Aidan and Dallas Bennett following an examination of all the available B2 digital sheetfed presses in the market.
The Bennetts travelled to Japan during February for a working demonstration of the JetSX at SCREEN’s Technology Centre in Tokyo and were impressed with its capabilities.
- Aidan and Dallas Bennett of Benefitz with the SCREEN Truepress JetSX at the Dainippon Screen Technology Centre in Tokyo, Japan.
Considering there were no fewer than thirteen B2 digital presses either shown or announced at drupa 2012 last May, it was a tough choice, but the SCREEN Truepress JetSX proved to be the only duplexing/perfecting B2-size inkjet machine to be commercially available at the time.
The first Jet SX was installed at RCS printing in the UK late in 2012, with at least two more due to be installed in the US during 2013, and further European orders likely.
"There is no doubt that the printing landscape is changing and these types of machines are the future," says Benefitz managing director Aidan Bennett. "Our new Screen Truepress JetSX will close the gap between digital and offset printing even further, and offer real advantages for our customers."
The JetSX’s sheet is 740mm x 530mm, allowing Benefitz to print personalized and variable data sheets at twice the size of A3/B3 digital presses. Economy of scale for smaller personalised items can also be achieved by stepping multiple items up onto the larger sheet.
Due to the Truepress JetSX's unique 1440dpi grayscale inkjet technology, the new press can print on standard coated or uncoated offset papers and board up to 0.6mm thick. The ultra-small 2 picolitre ink droplet size yields fine detail and very smooth gradations. The touch-panel interface enables single-operator control over all JetSX functions from one location.
"As well as advantages in the sheet size, the new Truepress JetSX will enable us to print very thick card,” says Aidan Bennett. “So, it opens up opportunities in the short-run packaging market with variable data or personalised packaging, as every sheet can be different."
The new press will join Benefitz’s existing SCREEN fleet, including a SCREEN PlateRite 4300 CTP thermal platesetter making chemical-free plates for its two Komori offset presses, plus a SCREEN Truepress 344 hybrid offset B3 press that images the plates onboard.
Benefitz is also one of New Zealand’s leading exponents of personalised printing, using Fujixerox XMPie on its existing fleet of iGen4 and Colour 1000 presses.
"We have invested heavily in this area of our business," says Aidan Bennett. "Our powerful solution is achieved by pairing XMPIE Personal Effect software with our printing technology.”
The JetSX features SCREEN’s new EQUIOS digital front end features variable data capability, imposition and new screening algorithms developed specially for high-resolution piezo inkjet.
SCREEN Australia managing director Peter Scott, who travelled to Japan with the Bennetts, says that, “to say we are delighted that the first JetSX in ANZ is going into such a progressive business as Benefitz is an understatement. Their entire operation is a shining example of how a modern business should be run with a combination of offset, digital, wide format, display and signage, design, web development, email marketing and social media services.
“I am confident they have made the right choice in B2 digital sheetfed with the JetSX and we eagerly look forward to seeing the first jobs roll off the press in June,” he says.