The university is replacing a two-colour and single-colour GTO with a Heidelberg Speedmaster SM52-5 and is moving from polyester to metal plates with a switch from an Apex DPX device to a Suprasetter A 52.

Easy Control is incorporated into Prinect Press Center and measures print control strips mounted on the print sheet parallel to the cylinder; adjustments are made automatically and it can cut time between jobs by up to 10 minutes. It measures and controls process colours but also records and reproduces special colours such as those used for corporate work.

Kent University customer accounts supervisor Damon Woods said: "The majority of our work is four-colour these days and with the SM 52-5 we can produce quality four-colour work in a single pass.

 "We think Easy Control will be a valuable tool in securing external commercial work."

The university’s print department, which has 11 staff and produces a range of work including brochures, posters, exam papers, lecture notes and other promotional materials, provides both litho and digital services.

It has also recently invested in a Ricoh C901 poster printer and collate-stitch-trim device.

Woods added: "The Ricoh C901 will enable us to produce short-run work using the same paper stock, giving the same flat litho look when short turnaround times are required. This will give the department the flexibility to offer our customers a comprehensive and competitive print service."