Clifford adds another large format KBA

- New Rapida to fulfill need for quick turnaround times and short runs

 

Clifford Press, a UK-based packaging trade printer, is adding a second six-color KBA Rapida 162a press to its Coventry pressroom, which will support its existing production equipment.

 

The new press will feature KBA’s QualiTronic in-line color measuring system as part of the company’s drive to achieve ISO 12674-2 certification.

 

The company’s works director Paul Cockerill, (pictured, top standing right with the new press and KBA director of key accounts Chris Scully) said: ‘We are often the printer’s or buyer’s safety net for last-minute jobs, or disaster recovery situations, so we also need capacity to juggle work and still meet deadlines.

 

‘That could have led us to take the digital route for the shorter runs, and free up the existing Rapida 162 for higher volume work, but production speeds are still an issue, and we felt the digital print quality just wouldn’t suit a lot of our work – such as the cosmetics sector, where skin tones are so demanding.’

 

The new press has been specified for conventional inks, thick stock capability, combination coating and UV drying to maximize options within the pressroom.

 

‘Our first Rapida 162 is a hybrid, so we still have the option to print full UV when necessary, and we will upgrade it to network with LogoTronic and QualiTronic, so we’ll have complete calibration from our Lüscher CtP and Esko workflow through to proofing and the pressroom,’ said Cockerill.

 

The coating and drying options are particularly important for sectors where visual impact and tactile finishes are everything.

 

‘Printing is still very much an art form; we can combine UV drying with water-based coatings and silk sealers to achieve some remarkable results,’ he explained.

 

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