Business Built From Scratch On Digital Press

Team Digital, established last year in Gateshead (UK) built the foundation of its business around the decision to invest in a Kodak Nexpress 2100 digital colour press.

Team Digital, established last year in Gateshead (UK) built the foundation of its business around the decision to invest in a Kodak Nexpress 2100 digital colour press.

Dave Hewson, Team's managing director and founder, decided to invest in the region's only Nexpress 2100 as his company's first digital machine.

The company serves customers from between Edinburgh in Scotland, and Leeds in Yorkshire.

Hewson has worked in the printing industry for many years and explains why the 2100 press was the right choice for his company.

"When I decided to invest in digital technology, I looked at entry-level models but quickly realised that they were not built for the high volume professional marketplace that I wanted to enter.

Coupled with avoiding the dreaded click-charge system, it became clear that to achieve the aims of the company to provide high-quality digital print, on time and at the right cost for the client, a new technology had to be found," he said.

He went on: "The press wins on three points - first, the stunning technology producing a near litho product and second, the machine is built with three media drawers giving ultimate versatility during the printing process.

Thirdly, there is very little down time due to the excellent Nexpress help desk, the ORC system (operator replaced components) and on-line manual.

That all adds up to high productivity levels and high quality print.

I believe the Nexpress 2100 is the market leader in high production digital presses." Hewson is also impressed by the speed of the press.

He believes that it performs like an offset press, providing high uptime for maximum productivity, whilst delivering consistent high-quality images.

"The back-to-back registration is very accurate - every time," confirmed Hewson.

Using mixed paper standard litho stock on the 2100 press enables Team Digital to produce a variety of jobs.

"It beats competitive printers on speed and image quality and we can also put through pre-printed stock.

Many digital presses are limited as to the substrates you can use.

With the 2100 there is also no loss of speed on thicker stocks which allows us to be more competitive," commented Hewson.

Team Digital's clients are typically advertising design agencies, print managers and designers, as well as direct customers such as Newcastle United Football Club and the London-based Professional Cricketers' Association.

Hewson said has had a long relationship with some customers and takes a great deal of care in looking after their print needs.

He believes that digital print is about producing new ideas and is actively looking for ways to better serve Team Digital's clientele.

"What clients like about the 2100 press is that it produces a vivid image, without what I call the 'lipstick' effect - an unnatural build-up of toner on the paper.

Along with particularly sharp black text, many jobs are better than traditional litho.

The press gives us the opportunity to look at existing jobs and query if they might be done better digitally," said Hewson.

"With the press having Pantone accreditation, it enables us to produce colours that are not possible on other presses.

We hope to upgrade with the fifth imaging unit to further increase the colour gamut, as well as glossing and varnishing capabilities," he continued.

He believes that the 2100 press inspires confidence and is the best press he has ever seen.

"It can truly be called a press, unlike some of its high-end copier competitors.

It's an added benefit to have a strong relationship with Kodak and Nexpress.

They have been very supportive in working with us, and I look forward to further developing the relationship," observed Hewson.

Team Digital has two Kodak-trained operators, along with a dedicated digital sales force.

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