The Print Co gets printing with Ryobi B2

The Print Co Ltd, Cwmbran, has created a new trade-focused, environmentally friendly printing service, with production capability based on a highly automated five-colour B2 Ryobi 750 Series press and a Screen 4300 computer-to-plate system. The Ryobi 755WD + coater includes Ryobi's first fully automatic plate loading (FRPC) installation in the UK.

Managing Director of The Print Co is Paul Harrison, who comments: "Equipment selection was critical, and whilst Ryobi was certainly not on my initial list of likely presses, an advert detailing the Ryobi 750's extra-wide B2-plus format caught my eye. The 765mm printing width meant that we would be able to print five A6-sized products across the sheet and five down, leading to significant productivity benefits. As soon as we saw the press in action, we knew that this was the one!"

The visit to Apex coincided with a "Solutions for Profit" open house event, which led The Print Co to examine the finishing products offered by Friedheim - one of Apex's guests at the event. This introduction led to the purchase of a JDF-compliant Schneider guillotine and MBO folder, and a Busch pile turner.

"JDF compatibility is an important issue for us, as we only have a team of five personnel. The more automated we can make the whole print production process, the better," said Paul Harrison. Automation at The Print Co starts with a job estimate. "Our customers send us a print-ready PDF file for production, with job specifics being sent straight to the press and the finishing equipment. With the help of the ink volume setting (IVS) software on the Ryobi and the fully automated plate changing system we can make-ready on the press in just 12 minutes, and that includes setting up for coating or sealing. This is the level of automation that a printer needs to be equipped with to compete with digital production. We have calculated that we can be cost effective on runs as low as 100 copies."

The Print Co is also keen to promote its environmental stance, hence the purchase of the Screen 4300 CtP system producing processless Fuji Brillia ProT plates. The press is configured to print alcohol free using vegetable oil based printing inks, which combine well with Ryobi's low power consumption, and The Print Co's use of FSC stocks, including fully recycled substrates. "We are trying to offer a fast and competitive service, but with an environmental focus," added Paul Harrison.