Supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS), the 25m/min machine has been installed at Swindon-based Interprint’s premises in the last few months. It has replaced a Bagel Systems B2 DigiFav laminator, which was installed in 2014 and has now been part exchanged.
Interprint production manager Shawn Martin said: “We brought our lamination in-house with a smaller system, but it soon became clear we needed a more productive solution to manage the work.
“Since installing the new machine we’ve been able to do a lot more laminating in-house and it’s also increased the efficiency of how many sheets we can laminate per hour.
“It’s a lot easier to operate and there’s less stoppages – it’s just a better built and more consistent machine.”
He added: “It has just gone in but we expect it will pay for itself from day one. We are pleased with it so far.”
The company looked at a range of options available on the market, including alternatives from Duplo, but Martin said the Foliant “ticked a number of boxes”.
One of the major benefits he cited was the machine’s Heidelberg suction feeder.
“The better feeder head means it can run slightly quicker. There is also a better snap between sheets and an improved decurler,” he said.
The firm’s machine was specified with the Foliant multi-functional Inprinting Unit, which is said to make foiling and spot varnish fast and affordable for short-run and personalised print.
This unit runs a wide range of colours including gold, silver, red and green as well as a clear gloss for spot varnish. It is suitable for applications ranging from corporate stationery to POS and book covers.
“We work with a lot of design agencies and we will now be able to offer them additional foiling services in a cost-effective way,” said Martin.
The Foliant kit joins a B2 Komori Lithrone 28 five-colour plus coater, three Ricoh digital printers – two Pro C9100s and a Pro C901, and an EFI Vutek GS3250LX Pro at Interprint’s site.
The £2.5m-turnover business has 26 staff and produces a wide range of general commercial print, including flyers and leaflets, folders, postcards, posters, brochures, business cards, letterheads, catalogues, POS, exhibition stands, banners and signage.
