Digital Printers Focal Point Of Books On Demand

Cpod is the new print-on-demand digital division of UK book manufacturer Cromwell Press Group, which has chosen digital printing systems manufacturer Oce as its strategic partner for the development.

The new operation has been established to meet the needs of publishers that demand shorter print runs for digitally-printed books with a quality that is equivalent to offset litho.

Oce's Varioprint 6250 mono press and the Oce CS650 colour press are the cornerstones of the new digital print services at Cpod, based in new, modern premises at parent company Cromwell Press's headquarters in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

The Varioprint 6250 press is claimed to produce 28,000 royal pages per hour printing four-up on a variety of media up to 320mmx488mm.

Oce's machine features its Gemini technology, with it's front to back registration and throughput on large sheet sizes, whilst Cpod is using the integrated Oce Prisma print controller to streamline the workflow.

Ten people are working for the Cpod, which is headed by Robert Hunt, one of the UK's authorities on digital on-demand printing, who has also been the driving force behind other start-up operations and directing large digital print companies.

Hunt, who has moved from Eastbourne back to his native west country, said: "This is a hugely exciting opportunity and I am confident that the strategic expansion plans in place make us well placed for all future demands and innovations.

It was absolutely vital to have the best equipment in the market and so we chose Oce, the leader in digital book printing.

We are investing in state-of-the-art equipment with top quality output and reliability.

We will be making more significant announcements in the coming months and these will also involve Oce." Simon Wheeler, director of Oce UK's commercial division, added: "Publishing demands have changed so dramatically in recent years that digital printing is becoming the way forward and only real option in many cases.

It is heartening for an established, respected book printer with no digital ties to select Oce as its partner to go forward with its new start-up business.

This is testimony to our position as the primary supplier of choice for the production of high quality, cost-effective books.".

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