The Anton Group in Laindon, Essex, has installed 18 Kodak Prosper S5 imprinting systems and two Kodak NexPress sheet fed digital colour presses.

This raises Anton’s total number of NexPress Presses to nine, including the NexPress SX Platform with its larger sheet size. The new NexPresses will have fifth print units able to handle the new toners including gold, pearl and fluorescent pink. The company plans to use them for variable-data applications such as direct mail with high speed and rich quality.

Anton’s growth strategy includes both hybrid and digital printing. ‘Our move into hybrid printing has been one of the most exciting projects I have been involved in,’ said John Knight, CEO. ‘It is totally game changing and has raised the bar. There is a massive expectation from our customer base, and we can see more work coming our way. Waste savings are 20% on any one job, speed to market is mammoth, and it cuts out all other processes.’

The group will use the Prosper S5 inkjet heads to deploy a hybrid printing solution on its offset presses. The S5 system will integrate with a Heidelberg CutStar short-grain sheeter. The digital imprinting systems will enable Anton to produce variable data inline on its offset presses at full speed for direct mail applications.

The investment in NexPresses reinforces its growth in digital production technology. They will extend digital capabilities such as advanced personalisation. Anton is using NexPress presses for multiple applications and has recently won new business, including a significant order from a leading private bank.

 ‘We continue to add the latest technology to our plant list,’ said Mr Knight. ‘We invest in the best to ensure winning the best possible market share. The Kodak team has been exceptional – working closely together with us on this project. We did it together. In today’s tough business world it’s great to have partners you can trust. Clients win from it, and we will win from the ability to offer our customers the best possible products.

‘Hybrid Printing is the future, and I believe it’s here to stay. The industry needs an uplift, and this way offset printers will have a window to a digital future.’

Contact: www.antongroup.co.uk and www.graphics.kodak.com