Barnsley-based Spin Print took delivery of an Anapurna M2050i large-format printer last month to cut turnaround times and outsourcing needs.
The printer has the potential to boost turnover by £300,000 per year and is in addition to existing equipment. Spin Print is also looking to install a Xerox iGen4 in March.
“We are a small-format digital and litho trade printer but saw the market going in the large-format direction because the quality is getting better all the time,” said director Dan Brook.
“We chose the Anapurna because its performance and quality complements our existing production capabilities and will allow us to pitch for new contracts.
“We see it as a vital add-on for POS and retail work. We needed a flatbed to do that; a roll-to-sheet machine wasn't effective. It's quick and the printheads produce great quality.”
The UV-curable inkjet machine with both flatbed and roll capability is suitable for 2,050mm-wide prints and has a top speed of 53m/hr.
The Anapurna M2050 has colour profiles that support standards such as ISO 12467 and the machine is used for window graphics, posters, banners and illuminated signage as well as POS collateral.
The new addition to the Spin Print fleet can print on a variety of materials such as Foamex, rigid plastics, Correx, film, vinyl, wood, metals and paper.
Brook's company, run with fellow director Glyn Johnson, has 28 staff and a turnover of just over £2m. Digital kit includes an MGI Meteor, a Xerox 800 and a Xerox 1000. The iGen4 will replace the latter.
Litho equipment includes a B3 two-colour Heidelberg GTO and a two-colour and a five-colour Hans Gronhi as well as a five-colour B2 Komori Lithrone.
“Buying digital equipment doesn't involve overly massive investment compared to buying a B2 press, for example,” said Brook. “We hope turnover tops £3m in 18 months to two years.”
Spin Print also rolled out a marketing campaign last week based on the Chinese New Year and 'ferret legging', where contestants put live ferrets inside secure trouser legs in a sport perfected by Barnsely man Reg Mellor in 1981.
“It is widely accepted modern printing has its roots in ancient China, so we decided to merge that history with our own and celebrate 2016 as the ‘year of the ferret’,” said Brook.
“We like to play on our Yorkshire-ism, which goes down well with our southern customers. But it's also about our core values, which also chime with what Yorkshire is all about.
“We are honest and call a spade a spade: if we can't do something we will say we can't. And if we can do it, we will do it. We work hard and well, but can laugh at ourselves. We sent out a mailer to our customers and the response on Twitter and via email has been great.”
Back in 1981 Mellor stuffed two live ferrets down his trousers and kept them there for five hours and 26 minutes, sustaining bites.
Rules of ferret legging include that the animal must have teeth, no filing or clipping is allowed, no undergarments are permitted on contestants, trouser bottoms must be tied firmly with string and the ‘legger’ must be sober to take part.
