Describe your business
We are a general commercial printer and we print pretty much anything and everything from business cards to football programmes. Around 50% of our work is for agencies with the other half from end-users. We’ve been operating for 25 years and we have a turnover of £13m.
What does the machine do?
It’s an inkjet digital printer and is an entry-level machine that can do personalisation and numbering work. We opted for two units.
Why did you choose this particular machine?
It was bought as a result of winning the contract to print Arsenal’s matchday programmes. They wanted sequentially numbered programmes for their half-time prize draws. Another customer, Fulham FC, was thinking along the same lines. Heidelberg referred us to Domino as they had the A400 which could go on the end of lines. Once the Arsenal job is stitched and trimmed, it is then numbered on the cover. For Fulham it’s different as the number is printed on the inside cover, which means we have to print the number before it gets to the stitching line.
Did you look at any other similar machines?
Normally, we would go out to the market and look at different options. On this occasion, this machine ticked all the boxes and Domino has a fantastic reputation in the trade. And you could not get a better referral than one from Heidelberg. We were also working to a tight timescale with the new Arsenal contract.
What features do you particularly like?
It is a phenomenally quick machine and can keep up with the pace of our stitching lines. It’s very user-friendly, does not require a lot of training and is very economical on the consumables side.
Is there anything that you dislike?
There isn’t. It does exactly what it says on the tin.
How fast is it?
We haven’t tested it to see how fast it can go, but when we place it at the end of the stitching line it can cope easily with 4,000 programmes an hour. On the folder, the A400 can handle 12,000 sheets per hour.
How reliable is it?
It’s very reliable. We’ve had this machine for 10 months and we’ve only just got round to changing the cartridge.
What’s the quality like?
Quality is important as, for the Arsenal programmes, the numbers are printed on a laminated cover. If the quality is not good enough then those numbers could get smudged. So far it has not let us down and the numbering is very clear. It also dries very quickly.
How much time or money has it saved?
We have not lost any production time. As it’s the first time we have ventured into this area, we can’t really compare.
Has it won you any new work?
It has given us scope to win more work.
Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?
It was a very straightforward installation.
What about the pre- and after-sale service?
Domino has been very good.
Who do you think the machine is right for?
Any small to medium-sized company.
Under what circumstances would you buy another?
There is scope to upgrade. You can go up to five print lines, which is ideal for addressing.
Conclusion
User’s verdict
Speed 5/5
Quality 5/5
Reliability 5/5
Value for money 5/5
Supplier’s response
Philip Easton, director of digital printing solutions at Domino, says: The A-Series CP is the printer of choice in variable data printing applications for the commercial print and labelling markets. Printing at speeds of up to 325m per minute, it accommodates the integration of remote printing heads on presses, as well as a wide range of finishing and mailing equipment. Its compact design is ideal for applications where space is limited or multiple print heads are required. The printer easily integrates into existing production equipment and offers a highly reliable option for text, sequential or randomised alphanumeric codes, barcode and logo printing at full production speeds.
Price £7,000
Contact
Domino 01954 782551
