Faster make ready for Woodrow Press

Print Solutions

London printer Woodrow Press has expanded its firepower with the addition of a second Heidelberg SM74 five colour press. The new machine joins an existing five colour SM74 and replaces a two colour machine. The new press has been equipped with PressProfiler from Prepress UK, and the powerful and easy to use ink coverage and ink zone calculation solution will also be added to the existing five colour press.

PressProfiler examines digital files received from any workflow and generates ink key pre-setting data to save set up time on an offset litho printing press at job changeover. A single copy of PressProfiler can feed multiple presses. Whilst the pre-press data can be fed directly into the press console of the newer press, the integration with the existing SM74 will involve the profiling software working in conjunction with Prepress UK's CardWriter package.

The package allows press minders to check preview images of the job they will be running without leaving the press, before loading the pre-setting data into the printing machine. Accurate ink key pre-setting gives a shorter make ready, uses fewer run up sheets, and takes less time before correct colour is achieved on the press. The consistent data also helps to achieve highly consistent printed results.

Commenting on the decision to add PressProfiler, Martin Ince, production manager at Woodrow Press, said: ‘The addition of the second five colour press means that we have the essential back up and additional capacity that we needed to move forward as a business. The decision to add PressProfiler was an essential move in our opinion: speed, reduced waste, and greater colour consistency are all critical issues for any printers. This package does it all for us, and at a fraction of the cost of similar kit from the press manufacturer.’

‘PressProfiler makes a real difference to the way we produce print,’ added managing director Rob Allen. ‘The addition of PressProfiler and a densitometer really does start to turn printing into a science rather than the more traditional ‘black art’. I am convinced that this combination of press and pre-press data will help to fuel the next phase of growth for our business.’