The Print Centre has become the first company in the UK to install Konica Minolta’s new production toner press, the AccurioPress C12000.

The Hertfordshire-based business says that the 120ppm production press, launched last autumn, and installed at their site in June, will allow it to take ‘a significant step up in capacity,’ and enable it to expand its offering, grow productivity and meet sustainability targets.

The Print Centre has been a Konica Minolta customer for several years, its first toner machine being a bizhub PRESS Pro C6000L, which was later joined by a C1085.

‘We have worked with KM for a long time, supplying them with litho work, so it was an obvious choice for us to look to them for support, back when we first decided to dip our toe in the digital market,’ explained managing director Ben Nixon.

‘We realised that although we had most areas covered with our existing litho and digital presses, there was an overlap where printing litho wasn’t really practical, yet the running cost and speed of the C1085 would probably not be cost effective. We were also looking to grow B2B online ordering through our new web portal as well as take on more variable data work, so we needed to find a digital solution.’

Instead of upgrading to an AccurioPress C6100, The Print Centre instead opted for the C12000 thanks to its ability to produce up to 120 A4 pages per minute and print on substrates from 52 to 450gsm, including textured types. The press can print at 3600 x 2400dpi and comes with the IQ-501 Intelligent Quality Care system for automated registration, colour management and on-the-fly quality monitoring and adjustment.

‘With the big increase in speed, we will definitely start to see more of our jobs move from litho to digital,’ Mr Nixon added. ‘Another hugely beneficial feature is the long sheet capability. Previously it would have been quicker and cheaper to make a set of plates and print anything above 50 long sheets litho; not to mention the thicker media and envelope options that will help with our direct mail and variable data jobs.’

Russell Lambert, regional sales manager South East – Graphic Arts, Konica Minolta Business Solutions UK, added, ‘We are extremely delighted that TPC has installed the first AccurioPress C12000 in the UK. This technology enables our customers to reduce waste and operator intervention, and will deliver new revenue streams in the process. Our relationship with TPC has gone from strength to strength with our engagement through Prokom, the Konica Minolta user community. We were able to help TPC to better understand the digital market and offer advice on how take advantage of new technologies for their customers.’