Sydney printer Innovative Print Solutions (IPS) has bucked the shift to digital by ordering a new Heidelberg XL 75 six-colour offset printer to compliment its digital and wide format work.
“We have three digital presses and three large format printers right now and they’re all amazing machines but as far as I’m concerned they’re still not up to the offset quality as yet,” said IPS co-director Diane Kelso. "It is going against the current industry trend somewhat but there's a huge amount of offset work out there, especially for the next 15 years or so, and this machine will handle all of that work. We have a diversified customer base and for us the digital compliments the offset and the wide format work, especially for corporate POS presentations, because we have all three print capabilities under one roof here at Brookvale.”
The new Heidelberg replaces a Heidelberg SM 74 offset press that was destroyed in a hailstorm late last year. “We had a flood at the factory in December after huge hail stones tore holes in the roof and the rain came in and destroyed our existing Heidelberg,” said Kelso. “Fortunately, we had insurance so we were able to swap new for old. The new press is due to arrive next week and we’re getting very excited.”
Heidelberg will be handling the installation and set-up. “Heidelberg has been fabulous over the years and we’re very happy with them," she said. "Their techs will work around the clock to get the new press up and running as soon as possible, and they also provide all the training."
Kelso’s son Craig, MD IPS, says he’s also looking forward to the new Heidelberg. “I’m just waiting for them to ring me and confirm that the installation will start next week, so I can’t wait,” he said. “It’s been a long seven months but it’s exciting to know it’s almost here. The quality and productivity upgrades for us will be significant. The XL-75 will give us 150% more productivity than our previous offset. A job that might have taken a 60-hour week, we can now finish inside two and a half days. We’ve asked for all the bells and whistles so our new Heidelberg will run 18,000 sheets an hour and has a fully automated plate and it's water-cooled as well. It’s fully spec-ed.”
Innovative Print Solutions, based at Short St, Brookvale in northern Sydney, has more than 40 years experience in the printing industry.
It’s comprehensive product range includes: newsletters, flyers, business cards, letterheads, postcards, posters, stickers, envelopes, magazines, booklets, brochures, annual reports, presentation folders, mailing, acrylic printing, floor graphics, back lit film, canvas print, aluminum signs, vinyl signs, corflute, foamcore, magnetic car signs, wallpaper, vehicle wraps, warning signs, POS and more.