The Cwmbran, South Wales-based company, one of the largest independent metal decorators in Europe, bought the system from Caldicot, Monmouthshire-based refurbished CTP equipment supplier International Graphics Supplies (IGS).
It was installed at the company’s 3,252sqm premises in March, alongside an Epson 9900 proofer with Fuji LH-PCE thermal plates and processor, which was bought from Loughton-based Service Offset Supplies.
The business had previously been using a film-to-plate system, which it has retained to use for film work that it does not have files for.
“The reason I changed is because my supply for printing plates was coming to an end; my supplier could not get analogue plates. The supplier I get my film from told me that within the next two to three years they would no longer be able to get it, hence I had to invest in the CTP to continue printing,” said Cyril Luff managing director Ben Luff.
The investment decision followed several meetings between Cyril Luff and IGS to discuss a suitable new system.
“I’d been looking at different systems on the internet and had one or two people come to me but we decided to go with IGS because of the equipment they had and the price,” said Luff.
Luff said the investment has already paid dividends: “It’s a lot easier and space wise it’s much more accurate, a lot cleaner and just a better way of doing it. We are seeing a significant reduction in makeready times on our Crabtree presses and are delighted with the increased quality being achieved on press."
He added: “This new investment combined with our print expertise not only ensures that we stay at the top of our sector, but more importantly, we are able to meet and, indeed, exceed clients’ expectations.”
Alongside four Crabtree metal decorating presses, the business also operates three Ratcliffe coating lines and two Cepak slitters.
Cyril Luff Metal Decorators has 35 staff and a turnover of around £3m. Its services include trade printing as well as coating and slitting of tinplate, steel and aluminium sheets decorated for aerosols, oil drums, lever lid tins and many other products. The firm serves a range of international companies that use metal packaging including Crown and Massilly.
