The Huddersfield-based outfit was previously having to outsource its foiling work but now can keep runs of up to 1,000 in-house, according to managing director Phil Earle. Total investment for the two machines, which were installed in mid-June and signed for earlier this year at the Sign & Digital UK expo, was around £12,000. They were supplied by Vivid Laminating Technologies.
Earle said: “The thing with the foiling side is that because there’s a block involved we used to send it out and before you know it you’ve spent £150 before you’ve clicked print on the job and you’ve got to mark it up as well. The cost becomes prohibitive for a lot of jobs. The cost has now come down and it’s attracting a few more people.
“It’s making a difference to us already. It’s saving us quite a bit of time, keeping things in-house that we’d send out, and generally opening a few doors as well, which is good. I thought the quality would be bitty, not good quality, but the quality we’ve got off it and sharpness and detail have been fantastic.”
Swiftprint also runs an Easymount wide-format laminator plus a table-top laminator.
Launched late last year and shown at this year's PrintWeekLive!, where Vivid sold a number of its machines, the multi-functional MX-370DP can laminate, foil and create spot UV-style effects. It laminates at up to 10m/min, taking sheets up to 340mm wide.
The SRA3-size Easycoat gluing system adds a layer of adhesive to media and layers can then be added one-by-one to create a thick substrate that can be used for applications such as book covers and high-quality business cards.
“I’m very confident that this is going to open more doors for us and help keep production in-house, with more control, quicker turnarounds and a better offering for the client,” added Earle.
11-staff Swiftprint runs a two-colour Sanxin YK522 litho machine, along with a Xerox Versant 2100 plus Roland and Canon wide-format equipment.
It offers a variety of products, including business cards, brochures, flyers and wide-format work, and has a sister company, Wedding Angels, that specialises in wedding paraphernalia.
