New Strategy at Ole Miss
A new Kodak NexPress 2500 has brought big opportunities to the University of Mississippi, including the ability to personalize recruitment materials.
June 2008 By Chris BauerSeaman, born in Binbrook, England, just outside of Oxford, admittedly deviated a bit from the in-plant’s norm with the addition of this machine. Traditionally utilizing Xerox equipment exclusively on the digital side of shop, Seaman decided on the Kodak digital press after comparing its features to that of the Xerox iGen3. Plus, he notes, Kodak came in with a lower price tag, which is significant for a facility required by the state to put out bids for all new equipment purchases.
But it wasn’t just price that went into Seaman’s decision—he was impressed by the NexPress’s fifth color station, which, in addition to red, green and blue, will run a clear ink to emulate a clear dull varnish, and can be used to produce a variety of security features.
“Also, this clear ink finish can be run through a glosser without any additional chemicals or costs involved,” Seaman explains, adding that it provides a very high-gloss finish, something other vendors’ machines couldn’t match.
Xerox offered a slightly larger page format, the in-plant chief concedes, however after considering the type of jobs the shop typically runs, an extra two inches wouldn’t have changed how many 5x8? postcards operators could fit on a sheet.
“We still would only be getting six-up, so that became a non-issue,” he says.
Finding Space
Sheet size wasn’t the only measurement that was a factor; the overall footprint of the machine was also a concern since shop space is limited.
“The NexPress not only has a smaller footprint, it is also more adept at living in an environment with an offset press, where the iGen is very much more sensitive to dust, chemicals, odors and chemical residue,” Seaman points out. “I feel like Kodak had a more impressive environmental requirement than the iGen.”
Seaman sees the new digital press stealing some of the shorter-run work—fewer than 2,500 pieces—away from the in-plant’s arsenal of six offset presses, providing faster turnaround times and bringing down costs.
In-plant Snapshot
University of Mississippi
Printing and Graphic Services
Employees: 17
Annual Revenue: $1.8 million
Key Equipment:
• Screen Katana four-up imagesetter
• Howtek 8000 drum scanner
• Kodak Plate processor
• Kodak NexPress 2500 with Nexglosser
• Xerox DocuTech 6115 with Freeflow
• Xerox 4110 with booklet maker
• Xerox 242 with Firey RIP and Booklet Maker
• Four-color, 20x28? Akiyama Bestech 428
• Two-color Hamada 665CD
• Two-color Hamada 665CD envelope press
• Two-color, 14x20? Omni Adast 526P
• Two-color, 20.5x29? Heidelberg SORMZ
• One-color Hamada 500 CDA
• Heidelberg KORD 18x25?
• Heidelberg Windmill for die cutting
• Baum Ultra Fold XLT folder
• MBO T49 folder with angles and gate folds
• 20-bin Duplo System 5000 booklet maker
• Polar 92X programmable cutter
• Pitney Bowes 790 addresser with IR Driers
• Accufast KT2 double tabber
• Six-station Pitney Bowes DI 950 inserter
University of Mississippi
Printing and Graphic Services
Employees: 17
Annual Revenue: $1.8 million
Key Equipment:
• Screen Katana four-up imagesetter
• Howtek 8000 drum scanner
• Kodak Plate processor
• Kodak NexPress 2500 with Nexglosser
• Xerox DocuTech 6115 with Freeflow
• Xerox 4110 with booklet maker
• Xerox 242 with Firey RIP and Booklet Maker
• Four-color, 20x28? Akiyama Bestech 428
• Two-color Hamada 665CD
• Two-color Hamada 665CD envelope press
• Two-color, 14x20? Omni Adast 526P
• Two-color, 20.5x29? Heidelberg SORMZ
• One-color Hamada 500 CDA
• Heidelberg KORD 18x25?
• Heidelberg Windmill for die cutting
• Baum Ultra Fold XLT folder
• MBO T49 folder with angles and gate folds
• 20-bin Duplo System 5000 booklet maker
• Polar 92X programmable cutter
• Pitney Bowes 790 addresser with IR Driers
• Accufast KT2 double tabber
• Six-station Pitney Bowes DI 950 inserter
Companies Mentioned:
 |
|
|
Digital Paths to Profit
The Ultimate Guide to Multi-Channel Communications Solutions
