For Melbourne-based graphics house PageSet, its purchase of an Océ Arizona 550 GT UV flatbed printer and an Océ ProCut cutting system has been key to opening up a “torrent of creativity”.
PageSet CEO John Della says the company’s large stable of graphics professionals has seized on the capabilities of the systems to open up new fields of business with existing clients and develop creative new approaches to potential customers in the market for ideas.

“When we decided to buy a flatbed, it was really as a workhorse to replace time-consuming manual work, such as mounting and laminating roll printing,” Della says. “And we added  the ProCut to handle the straight cutting that constitutes the bulk of business for most wide format companies – again to reduce manual procedures.

“It’s certainly worked. We have eliminated about 80% of our manual processes at PageSet for wide format production work. What we quickly also realised however was that printing onto rigid stocks and then cutting those stocks on the ProCut to whatever shape we wanted enabled us to move up the creative ladder by several notches.

“We have a number of advertising agencies and corporate marketing departments among our customers and the new Océ systems are ideal for producing highly creative products for them. We can design, print and cut prototype packaging for instance that’s as good as that which will be used on the final printed product. We can print on exotic substrates such as wood and plastic and cut the job to any shape.  We can discuss marketing ideas with companies and immediately show them the collaterals that will support a full-blown campaign, such as POS materials, mailers, cut-out signs etc.  Our graphics people are also paper engineers and they love exploring ideas on the Arizona and ProCut systems.

“The important thing about this type of work of course is that it’s value-added. It gives us good margins in areas where few other companies can compete.

“The Arizona 550 GT model we chose has the white ink option which was something of a experiment for us as our experience with white ink printing has not always been good. I have to say though the Océ Arizona is excellent at printing white, particularly on coloured and unusual substrates, such as transparent plastic.”

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John Della with an example of his own company’s signage, printed on the Océ Arizona 550 GT and cut on the Océ ProCut
Della says that prior to the installation PageSet was outsourcing its UV work, and experiencing drawbacks that created problems with customers.

“We didn’t have control over the quality or timing of the outsourced work which meant we were putting often critical deadlines at risk. The new Océ systems have enabled PageSet to eliminate these disadvantages, bringing work back  in house.

“This obviously adds to our bottom line but, more importantly, it gives us control over the process from start to finish and enables us to set deadlines and quality standards we know we can meet, without worrying if a supplier will let us down.

“You don’t often get an improvement in quality that results in a corresponding improvement in productivity. This installation has given us both and, at the same time, added new income streams to the company.”

Prior to buying the Océ Arizona and the ProCut, PageSet did a due diligence check on a number of flatbed systems.

Says John Della: “The Océ Arizona 550 GT stood out as offering the highest quality and best potential. Additionally the Océ approach, I have to say, was exceptionally professional, offering an undeniable selling proposition. Since the purchase I can say with all honesty they have delivered on everything they promised.”

PageSet is maximising usage of the Océ Arizona and the Océ ProCut , occasionally operating them over three shifts.

“These are not difficult systems to operate and the Océ training was very thorough. It’s enabled us to multi skill our employees so that we can run them around the clock in true workhorse fashion. All in all, it’s been great experience and a wise choice for PageSet.”

Océ Australia
www.oce.com.au
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