QDi Direct Press makes major investment in digital and offset presses

Perth printer, QDi Direct Press, grows with new Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75 and Xerox iGen4.

At a time when many printers are struggling to stay afloat and have been forced to postpone any new investments in equipment, QDi Direct Press decided to take the plunge and improve both its digital and offset capabilities.

David Whitlock, digital manager for the company, said that operating primarily in the A2 market meant that QDI Direct Press has been “sheltered from the down-turn” and able to afford the chance to develop its technology.

“Now is the best possible time to do a deal and we’ve been lucky enough to be in a position to be able to do that,” he said.

A visit to Heidelberg at PacPrint was just what it took to convince director, Danny Comrie, that the Speedmaster XL 75 was right for his business. The machine was installed at the end of August and has delivered pleasing results.
“The Heidelberg press is a fantastic improvement, it gives us better quality and greater efficiency,” Comrie said.

Pictured: Still committed to offset, David Whitlock (left) with Danny Comrie (right) and the new Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75.

It didn’t  stop there. Like most printers, QDI Direct Press has its eye fixed firmly on expanding its digital printing, which has been a part of the business for the last six years. With a client list that services a number of advertisers and designers who want fast turn arounds and the best possible quality, a new digital press was essential.

“Digital is a big focus for our business – the client base is there and we want to maintain that,” Whitlock said. “We see the future in digital.”

The team settled on a Xerox iGen 4 which was installed mid-September and will enable the company to move into new areas such as data and file management. It has been a time of change for the business with more to come. Next is a company relaunch that will see the company’s name change to simply QDi.

“We want to get away from the word ‘printing’ because we offer so much more,” Comrie explained. “We are a partner with our clients and want to offer solutions.”
Pictured: Growth in digital (l-r) David Whitlock, Danny Comrie and Brad Masters.

According to Brad Masters, graphic arts account manager for Fuji Xerox Western Australia, this is the second iGen4 to be installed throughout the state. To date there have been three iGen3s and two iGen4s sold to the local market.

Masters predicts the machine becoming more popular. “As big offset guys all start to move into digital the take up for the iGen will grow in Western Australia,” he said.