Print volume triples for Druckpress with iq-501 intelligent care

Druckpress’s key consideration was how to elevate produc­tion print quality. Its previous digital solution had the challenge of unstable print quality and shifting front to back registration within print runs. Another issue was reprinting repeat orders as print quality has changed and the time consuming set up had to be done over and over again. In short, achieving the requisite results became problematic.

Druckpress wanted to find a way to maintain one-time creation of two color profiles (ISO Coated and ISO Uncoated) and one-time setup of the main paper types (double-sided sheet adjustment, paper profiling) as well as enjoy automated imposition and make ready and fast set up with hot folders. It also wanted better control of registration accuracy and toner density on the printed sheet in real time during printing.

Druckpress screened the market and looked at several products but chose the Konica Minolta AccurioPress C6085 with IQ-501 for a number of reasons.

The 1,200 x 1,200 x 8 dpi AccurioPress C6085 achieves supe­rior productivity at 85 ppm and identical high-speed printing for a wide range of paper weights. It can produce a wide range of print applications on grades from 52 gsm to 400 gsm as well as embossed paper and envelopes. It enables finishing versatility with booklet making, perfect binding, auto ring binding.

IQ-501 Intelligent Quality Care makes best use of the speed and efficiency of CCD scanning and the accuracy of spectro­photometry. The result is automatic, in-line and highly accurate measurement of colours and registration. Colour targets can be set within the controller software at the start of a run, and the IQ-501 system ensures that colour density and fidelity remain constant throughout the print run by checking each sheet in real time, with a closed-loop feedback system ensur­ing continual adjustment where necessary. Perfect front and back registration are also assured, with automatic adjustment of image position, skew and rotation, and there is no slow­down. Printer profiling is quick and simple too.

A central topic when it comes to increasing cost efficiency is the workflow. Much can be automated with the AccurioPro Flux Essential software. AccurioPro Flux Essential is Konica Minolta´s software solution for printing preparation (Make-Ready) and automation of professional print workflow. Especially in conjunction with the IQ-501, time-consuming processes are extremely shortened. Thus, the solution lowers staff costs, which also reduces personnel costs.

Druckpress also liked AccurioPro Flux Essential’s ability to automate imposition and makeready. But a key convincer was an extensive printing test of an important regular periodical on 70 gsm art paper. The trial was held on two days at an interval of two weeks and proved very successful because of the consistent output quality with no labour intensive manual­setup. Vital, too, was the trustful relationship Konica Minolta established with Druckpress. In getting to know its needs, it was able to create the perfect solution that responded to the operation’s specific day-to-day demands.

Today, Druckpress is enjoying far shorter turnaround times and reliable print quality. There are also significant time sav­ings in prepress of up to as much as a few hours per month. The better integration of digital printing, easier production of periodicals of the same quality and the ability to run 70 gsm art paper in high volumes all support a smoother workflow.

This approach to creating the most effective end-to-end process was the result of developing a very close working relationship between Druckpress and Konica Minolta. Konica Minolta got to know the business and its unique requirements, so that it could deliver the most responsive solution. The result is that Druckpress is now seeing signifi­cantly fewer customer complaints due to permanent quality control and its employees are much happier.