Inkjet & Digital Printing
Domino L-Series Installation at Unigraphic Color Improves Production Performance and Saves Costs
Wednesday 18. March 2009 - Domino Printing Sciences plc, a world-leader in total coding, marking, printing and traceability solutions, has announced that Unigraphic Color Corp has installed a Domino L-Series thermal ink jet (TIJ) printer at its commercial printing and pre-press facility in Plymouth, Pennsylvania.
Unigraphic Color invested in Dominos L400 TIJ printer, which incorporates patented state-of-the-art dual nozzle technology, as its ability to ensure longer, unattended production runs directly fulfilled the companys requirement for improved workflow and uptime. Unigraphics Domino installation also comprises a Pitney Bowes Feeder and Profold Tabber, which together serve the family-run companys production needs in a host of direct mail addressing applications. These typically span everything from catalogues, promotional materials and postcards, to a range of other direct mail collaterals.
Dominos L400 offers Unigraphic a print resolution/print speed combination unmatched by competing systems – delivering up to twice the throughput in the same amount of time. The company currently runs the new equipment next to an existing system from another supplier, but has already noticed significant performance improvements and cost savings from Dominos hardware. “Basically, compared to our existing system, the Domino L400 line saves us over 50% in ink costs, increases our run speeds by about 66% and provides between 7-10% more uptime”, comments Unigraphics Erik Delong.
“These cost-savings and improved production performance are impressive, but importantly, they are achieved with no compromise on quality – which itself is excellent”, adds Delong.
“We can now run faster, more efficient mailing services, which allow customers mail to reach targets more quickly and improves the cash flow of our business.”
Unigraphics Domino L-Series also includes a bulk-ink delivery system, which Delong highlights as being a dream to work with. However, ongoing performance issues with the companys existing line – which includes a similar ink system from another supplier – initially made Unigraphic cautious about investing in Dominos offering.
“Looking back, we were somewhat reluctant to go for another bulk-ink delivery system, as our previous suppliers equipment caused us consistent problems and despite visits by engineers, has still failed to function properly”, he explains. “We ended up using expensive cartridges on this line, but that led to machine downtime for changeover of heads, which impacted on our workflow efficiency.”
Despite this, Unigraphic invested in Dominos solution, and as Delong, explains, the company hasnt looked back since. “We neednt have worried”, he smiles. “I talk to my operators daily and they truly love this ink-system. Its not just this aspect though – everything about the whole system is of a higher quality; its heavier and sturdier, but also much quieter than our other line.”
For Delong, the importance of selecting equipment that can run all day without operator intervention, provides important peace of mind and allows Unigraphic to focus on the business aspects of company operations. “We expect to be able to take certain things for granted”, he explains. “The L-Series full-vacuum BaseLine ink jet mail base is a good example. Our other system just has three individual small belts with air holes in between, so direct mail pieces invariably become misaligned far more easily on this. On Dominos L400 BaseLine, theyre held in position much better – as you would expect.”
In increasingly difficult economic climate, choosing the right solutions provider when investing in new kit has, for Delong, never been more important. “Dominos L-Series gives us increased value-add to our service offering and ensures we remain ahead of the competition”, he says. “Right now, thats the kind of supplier we need on our side.”