The firm has purchased a five-colour B2-format Ryobi 765E press and a Screen PlateRite 4300S thermal platesetter. The company said, its workload has moved towards quantities and formats that only a B2 press could deliver so it has returned to the format following its recent focus on B3 print production.

Managing director of Phase Print Kevin Marks said: “The 765E was installed in March. It forms part of a £1m investment programme that includes the press and additional B2 finishing equipment that was put in a few months ago.”

The press handles paper sizes through to 765x600mm. It accommodates paper thicknesses from 0.04mm to 0.6mm for straight printing, with a maximum of 0.4mm for perfecting. It is capable of printing up to 13,000 sheets per hour.

Phase Print was happy to continue its long-standing working relationships with Ryobi, whose presses it has used for 11 years, and Apex, who supplied the press. According to Phase, it was attracted to the 765E because of the fast makeready speeds, high print quality, colour control through on board spectrophotometry and its environmentally friendly nature.

“We looked at other alternatives but felt that this was far superior to anything else that we saw. We've made the investment to be more efficient and to increase our capacity and the range of products that we can offer. I think it will open different markets and we'll be able to develop existing customers further,” said Marks.

The company also calibrated the machine to ISO 12647-2 which its ink suppliers Stehlin-Hostag assisted with.

The fifth unit on the press was chosen over a dedicated coater in order to provide extra flexibility for Phase Print. It will provide the firm with options to add a spot colour to work, for where an exact Pantone colour match is important, or to run a sealer.

Phase Print employs 25 staff and has a turnover of £1.5m. It serves clients ranging from blue-chip corporates and local authorities to general commercial design businesses.