Spencer Green, head of Print-on-Demand for Fujifilm UK’s Graphic Communication Division
At the Click of a Finger
Introduce yourself and your role at Fujifilm...
I am Spencer Green, head of Print-on-Demand (POD), for Fujifilm UK. I report directly to Andy Kent, division manager of Fujifilm Graphic Communications UK, and I’m supported by Stephen Malyon and Martin Fairweather, national digital business development managers.
Please give a brief introduction to Fujifilm's Graphic Communications Division...
Fujifilm's Graphic Communications Division is focused on delivering high-quality, technically advanced print solutions that help printers develop a competitive advantage and grow their businesses. The company’s financial stability and unprecedented investment in R&D enable it to develop proprietary technologies for best-in-class printing.?
These include pre-press and pressroom solutions for offset, wide-format, and digital print, as well as workflow software for print production management. Fujifilm is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its products and operations, proactively working to preserve the environment, and strives to educate printers about environmental best practice.
Please provide a brief overview of print-on-demand (POD), what this means for printers, and its benefits...
Print-on-demand (POD) is a fulfilment process where products are printed only once a customer request is put through. It is ideal to achieve fast turnaround times on small runs of orders, including personalised or customised products, helping to reduce costs and waste associated with inventory and outdated content.
How has Fujifilm been focusing on the development and expansion of POD in recent months?
Fujifilm’s print-on-demand solutions have gone through a phased roll-out over the last two years, beginning in five European countries, and then gradually expanding across the continent. With its arrival in the UK earlier this year, Fujifilm’s latest POD technology, built on decades of experience and R&D, is now directly available to print businesses right across Europe.
Fujifilm has established itself as the premier provider of both toner and inkjet solutions across the European printing landscape. The introduction of POD represents a harmonisation of diverse technologies, complemented by a formidable new digital workflow system.
Print-on-demand solutions can fulfil customer needs promptly, efficiently, and with the quality that Fujifilm products have been known for, for almost 90 years.
Our vast print resources support speed, precision, and scale of any quantity, large or small. Plus, with access to dedicated customer service and account management teams, business owners can focus their time on promoting and building their business and less time worrying about back-end responsibilities.
The benefits of our toner technology are being realised across Europe and around the world.
Tell us about the Revoria range of toner-based presses and what this encompasses...
The flagship product within the range, the Revoria Press PC1120 is a 2,400 x 2,400dpi single-pass toner-based device that can print in up to ten different colours across six ink channels – CMYK plus a choice of clear, gold, silver, white, and pink – with the option for undercoat and topcoat.
It also features AI and automation technology and has extensive in-line finishing options. Its print speed is 120ppm for A4, and 60ppm for A3. The long sheet option is 330 x 1,200mm.
The family of devices also includes the monochrome Revoria Press E1136, E1125, and E1100 models, printing at up to 136ppm.
More recently, Fujifilm’s roll-out of toner press solutions across Europe has entered yet another new phase, with the launch of two new mid-range models in September 2023 – the Revoria EC1100 and the Revoria SC170/180.
Floricolor uses the PC1120 with other finishing equipment to offer a range of unique products using special colours such as gold and silver varnishes
Sitting between the flagship Revoria Press PC1120 and the entry-level ApeosPro C in terms of price and performance, these innovative presses underline Fujifilm’s dedication to providing tailored solutions, not only to commercial print businesses but also to in-house print operations, CRDs, and smaller digital-only printshops.
These two new presses will be installed at the Fujifilm Print Experience Centre, Ratingen, Germany and in demo centres in other European countries, including Spain and the UK. The presses were also on display in September at The Print Show (UK), C!Print (Spain), and Sign&Print (Sweden).
Fujifilm recently launched the Revoria range in the UK after experiencing strong sales in Europe, why was now the time to do this?
Since its launch in 2021, the Revoria range has enjoyed considerable early success, with strong sales across Europe and bringing these high quality presses, with their huge potential for creative applications, to the UK as part of a phased roll-out was always our plan.
We kicked things off with a glitzy event in London back in May, and then with the return of major shows such as Interpack, Labelexpo, and The Print Show, we’ve had some great opportunities to show them off.
How has the range been received by the UK market so far?
The feedback on our flagship Revoria PC1120 has been overwhelming, and we have built up a large pipeline of potential business since its launch.
Customers are amazed at the quality that comes off the press and the opportunity it presents to exploit new applications and new markets. Customers know Fujifilm for its quality and heritage and our new portfolio definitely has people thinking about their next purchase.
What are some of the creative applications you’ve been seeing from customers?
Floricolor, based in Portugal, is one of the leading producers of professional photography albums in the world. With the Revoria PC1120, Floricolor has launched a new business venture named Studio 6. Under the Studio 6 brand, the company prints wedding invitations, thank you cards, business cards, and special stationery for its customers.
Floricolor uses the PC1120, in combination with other finishing equipment, to offer customers a range of unique products, using special colours such as gold and silver varnishes. In addition to the special colours, the PC1120 enables Floricolor to print on substrates of many thicknesses, sizes, and types, including plastic – something that it could not achieve with any comparable press on the market.
The Revoria SC180 is one of two new mid-range models launched in September 2023
Commercial printers such as German-based Wegner use the Revoria PC1120 to digitally print book covers with special effects, due to the ability to print in banner format. A Revoria PC1120 has also been installed at Labelprint24, a specialist high-tech online print provider for product labelling and packaging solutions.
It will enable Labelprint24 to offer its customers an even wider choice of media and a host of new colours, varnishes, metallic embellishments, and special effect finishes, including gold, silver, white, and pink.
What can we expect to see from Fujifilm in the future in terms of the focus on and expansion of POD?
I am really excited to be at an integral part of such a key company within the industry and be able to move this market forwards. We’ve just made some significant announcements – expanding the range to include two new mid-range models – and there will be plenty more to come in the lead-up to Drupa next year.
We’ve got really big ambitions, and we are doing things a little different to our competitors which is gaining us a lot of attention right now – watch this space!
Do you have anything else to add?
The Print Show was amazing for Fujifilm, and we had an overwhelming response from customers. We demonstrated our commitment to the print market, and with our portfolio and amazing looking product roadmap, customers are excited about what we are doing and the energy we are bringing to the industry. Fujifilm is the one to watch right now.
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