The NexPress customer is the first UK site to take a version of Dutch firm AlbumPrinter's software from NexPress. Customers use the system to assemble a range of template-based products including photo albums and calendars.

Using the PC-based software, customers prepare their images locally to produce the finished document, which is then uploaded and packaged into a print-ready PDF for delivery to totalPIX.
AlbumPrinter's software prepares a print-ready PDF that can enter straight into totalPIX workflow without any additional intervention.

Along with the software the firm has also invested in additional finishing kit including foiling and thread sewing to produce cloth-bound photo albums.

"The applications are endless," said Emeness managing director Noel Kavanagh.

So far he has promoted the site by word of mouth and via sports and social clubs. Having spent the past months making sure the technology works Kavanagh is now looking to ramp up this side of his business. He is in discussion with a marketing agency and with NexPress parent Kodak on how to tie in with major high- street brands and with the photography giant's professional and consumer businesses to generate more work.

NexPress began promoting the potential of its 2100 colour press for photographic applications at specialist show Photokina last autumn, taking advantage of the fifth-unit and Nexglosser to produce high-gloss images and the AlbumPrinter software, which got its first UK outing at last week's Northprint.

Story by Barney Cox