The press will run 24/7 at the Somerset-based firm's 1,858sqm premises once it has been commissioned.
It combines low-energy UV technology with the rapid makeready and colour control provided by Inpress Control. This enables work on uncoated stocks to be finished immediately without the fear of marking.
Managing director Steve Taylor said: “Heidelberg introduced us to the LE-UV and we went to have a look at it. The fact that we were doing 40% uncoated meant that it made a lot of sense to go that way. It stops all of the issues we currently have with uncoated stocks.
“It will also enable us to do work we couldn’t do before, like metallic coated paper, but it’s more about the speed that we can now deal with uncoated material.”
Production director Ian Gatfield added: “We looked carefully at the running costs but this move is right for us.
“Ink prices can be three times higher but we will need to use less and in addition there will be no spray powder, no coater and our annual energy bill will be substantially lower compared to the press this new machine replaces.”
The LE-UV dry offset press is replacing a conventional Speedmaster XL 75, although another conventional five-colour Speedmaster XL 75 with coater will be kept on alongside the new press.
“That press with Inpress Control has been phenomenal. It pulls colour and position in on the run, reduces makeready time and waste and has halved the breakpoint between digital and litho work. Anything over 200 sheets tends to go litho now,” said Gatfield.
Reduced start-up waste on the higher cost per sheet LE-UV process will be increasingly cost beneficial.
The firm's Speedmaster XL 75-5+L will now focus on silks and longer run work while uncoated and short-run work will be completed using the LE-UV machine.
“We believe the new press will give us 15%-20% more litho capacity and that means more flexibility too,” said Gatfield.
A dozen members of staff, including all of the firm's printers, will visit Heidelberg’s national showroom in Brentford for an LE-UV familiarisation programme prior to the press installation.
“Being first with any new kit can be nerve-racking but we were first with a Speedmaster XL 75 with anilox coating some years ago and Heidelberg were extremely supportive,” said Gatfield.
“This new press comes with a full warranty and we have confidence in the service and back up; it is always very good.”
Wincanton Print, which has 50 staff and a turnover of around £5m, predominantly serves the trade and advertising agencies.
The business also operates two Ricoh Pro C901s on its digital side and an Agfa Anapurna and Zünd cutter on its wide-format side.
