The Iridesse was installed at the end of October as an expansion of the Birmingham direct mailer’s digital wing. First unveiled by Xerox in May, the machine was the subject of a spate of UK installations in the back end of 2018, with Bakergoodchild reportedly “the first in the West Midlands” to take the full six-colour version.
Alongside its new Iridesse, Bakergoodchild replaced a Ricoh Pro C7100 cut-sheet colour printer that had reached the end of its lease with a new Xerox Versant 3100.
Sales director Adam Stafford said: “When we first started looking for new digital machines, we had never even heard of the Iridesse. However, when we saw what it could do at The Print Show, it knocked our socks off. We decided we should jump in with both feet.
“It was not bought to meet any specific client requirements, but it will allow them more freedom to design their jobs differently. The white overprint is game changing as the closest we previously got was in multiple passes on an HP Indigo. The Iridesse allows us to carry it out all in a single pass.
“Additionally, the varnish can work similarly to a laminate which means we can fulfil that work digitally on a single machine and it is more environmentally friendly. It will see us converting a lot of jobs previously print-managed or done on litho to our digital side.”
Launched for Europe and the US in May, the six-colour Iridesse boasts newly developed technology for colour management and a range of automation. Taking a maximum sheet size of 330x488mm, the Iridesse can print at speeds up to 120ppm for A4 and 60ppm for sizes A3-SRA3. It can take stock weighing anywhere between 52 and 400gsm and print at “ultra HD resolution” of 2,400dpi.
It makes use of Xerox’s High Definition Emulsion Aggregate (HD EA) toner designed to have the “optimal particle size” for lower gloss, smooth tints and fine detail. In October, Xerox expanded the machine's capabilities to offer extra-long sheet capability up to 330x1,200mm banner and auto-duplex up to 729mm long, as well as the introduction of white to its speciality inks.
Cardiff-based Pinnacle Complete Office Solutions supplied the machine to Bakergoodchild, which now enjoys the benefits of a “close, three-way relationship” between itself, its supplier and the machine manufacturer.
Heading into 2019, Bakergoodchild will focus on promoting its enhanced digital capacity and capabilities, as well as its newly-established hand fulfilment service and its potato starch-based polywrap alternative. The firm employs 60 members of staff on a turnover of £9m.
