This is a milestone investment which will expand and optimise Pragati's digital print business. The C8000 has been installed at Pragati’s offshoot Shiv Digital, established as a start-up firm to cater to the textile industry’s print requirement.

Pragati Digital Printing, is a digital print firm established by Mahendra Patel along with brother Hiren in 2004. The duo started with a Xerox DC 12, moving to Xerox DC 7000 in 2008 and then two DC 5000 in 2009. The firm replaced the DC 5000s with a Xerox 1000 this year.

The C8000 launched into production from 8 July has since fired 63,000 A3 sheets at 10,000 sheets per day and plans to push it to 20,000 sheets per day. "Rapid growth in demand for printed products by the textile industry in Surat has provided us with a unique opportunity to expand our digital print capacity, extend our print service portfolio and increase revenues and customer base," said Patel, the managing director of Shiv Digital.

According to Monotech, the C8000 holds unlimited potentials to meet high-level needs of professionals.

"This is the first installation of the Bizhub Press C8000 in India and we are delighted to provide the textile industry in Surat with a highly efficient digital print solution through Shiv Digital. It will now be able to offer not only high value to their customers’ print requirements but also short and high volumes, as and when required," said T P Jain, managing director of Monotech.  "It can deliver super colour prints that can build profitable repeat business."

According to Jain, the C8000’s data processing outputs 1,200dpi x 8bit depth resolution offering printouts at 1,200x,1,200dpi resolution print. "The high image quality comes closest to offset printing quality."

Besides, Konica Minolta uses the Simitri HD toner, which it describes as bio-mass toner because it contains 10% plant-based components, and the only bio-mass polymerised toner. To top the features, Konica Minolta has incorporated a newly designed eight-beam laser unit into the Bizhub Press C8000 to enhance image quality and longevity, housing it in a die-casing for better durability.

"It has also kept in mind the digital affordability factor, incorporating long life frames with durable and long lasting parts," said Jain.

Shiv Offset plans to make the business profitable on the back of the machine’s durability, and consumables. "Yes, the feature-loaded C8000 which is both flexible and cost-effective, will enable us to generate new revenues," said Patel.

Pragati and Shiv put together, has an annual income of Rs 2.5-crore and employs 26 persons.