Micropress doubles down on Kodak with Magnus Q800 Platesetters
Suffolk-based commercial printing business Micropress Printers has taken delivery of a new Kodak Magnus Q800 Platesetter CTP system and placed an order for a second machine as part of an effort to modernise its platemaking operations.
The family-owned business initially installed a Kodak Magnus Q800 Platesetter with T speed and single pallet loader (SPL) automation. The CTP system, capable of imaging as many as 80 plates per hour, was integrated with a new automated line for punching, bending and sorting the plates.
Not long after, Micropress elected to invest in another Kodak machine, opting for a second Magnus Q800 Platesetter with X speed – 45 plates per hour – and an SPL. When the latest purchase is installed at the company’s Reydon site, it will have a CTP configuration capable of fully automatically loading, imaging, punching, bending, and sorting up to 125 B1 plates per hour.
With the option of upgrading the equipment to increase plate throughput in the future, James Cross, joint managing director at Micropress, says this places the company in a strong position to pursue further growth opportunities.
“In our opinion, SquareSpot stands out as a fantastic technology that combines all the key advantages we expect from an innovative CTP solution: highest resolution, precision, and repeatability, ensuring reliable, high-quality results in prepress and on press,” he says.
Denisse Goldbarg, chief marketing office and head of EAMER sales at Kodak, adds: “We are delighted that Micropress has chosen Kodak and our most powerful commercial print CTP platform to modernize its platemaking operations.”
He continues: “The high productivity of the system and the use of SquareSpot Imaging Technology will help Micropress reliably supply its presses with high-quality plates and consistently meet the quality requirements of its discerning customers.”
CDS Print Services boosts output with Plockmatic finishing lines
Following a major investment programme in 2024 and 2025, CDS Print Services has upgraded multiple finishing lines with the latest systems from Morgana and Plockmatic.
Part of the Bailie Group, CDS Print Services combines secure print and fulfilment, wide-format production, and managed print services within a single operation.
The business recently unified all its print-related activity under the CDS Print Services name, following an internal reorganisation designed to drive closer alignment across its teams and enable faster turnaround for clients.
CDS Print Services’ partnership with Morgana began nearly two decades ago, in which time the company has commissioned numerous installations of finishing equipment from the manufacturer.
Investments with Morgana have included a bookletmaker system containing a BM5035 core finishing unit combined with squarefold, face trimmer, and vacuum feeder modules.
Other systems include the Aerocut X, DigiFold Pro XL, DocuBind Pro VFX, Band-It 50, and MOHR 80 Plus finishing systems, which together form a comprehensive automated finishing workflow.
The company also operates a PowerSquare 224 bookletmaker system with canon feeder and uses wire-binding solutions from RENZ, part of the wider Plockmatic Group portfolio.
Darren Burley, head of operations at CDS Print Services, says: “We chose the Morgana and Plockmatic systems for their reliability and the strength of our relationship. Over the years, we’ve come to rely on Morgana for robust engineering, knowledgeable support, and machines that perform precisely as we need them to.”
Installed in 2024, the Morgana BM5035 bookletmaker unit has already produced more than 380,000 books for CDS, transforming digitally printed sheets into fully finished booklets.
Typical production runs range between 100 and 2,000 copies, though many longer‑run projects also pass through the system.
The company has highlighted benefits of the solution including intuitive touchscreen controls, simplified feeding and job memory features, and quick changeovers between tasks.
Burley continues: “The automation and versatility of Morgana’s latest technology delivered immediate productivity gains. We’ve reduced waste, maintained consistent finishing quality, and increased throughput – making it easier for our operators to focus on quality rather than adjustment.”
Operational stability and cost control have also reportedly improved. CDS previously maintained 21 individual service contracts across various finishing machines. Working closely with Morgana, the company has consolidated those agreements into a single, fixed-term support contract.
The uptime reliability of the Plockmatic equipment was also highlighted by CDS, allowing its fleet of Canon imagePRESS systems to operate continuously at more optimum throughput.
Burley adds: “It’s a genuine partnership approach – by aligning everything under one agreement, we gain cost stability and the confidence that our key production systems are fully backed by the manufacturer.
“One of the things we are most proud is the three-year fixed-term servicing contract demonstrating strong commitment from both of us. It shows we know where we stand. Instead of coming out on separate occasions, we now have an engineer on site once a year.”
Page Bros announces acquisition of BD&H
Print and graphics provider, Page Bros Group, has announced the acquisition of BDH Tullford, also known as BD&H, a specialist in printed point-of-sale (POS), display, and signage.
The strategic acquisition combines BD&H’s retail graphics experience with Page Bros’ established commercial print and fulfilment operations.
With the purchase, Page Bros aims to meet an increased demand from its existing customer base for branded POS, wide-format print, and signage solutions.
BD&H, meanwhile, will gain access to Page Bros’ operational support and infrastructure resources, including its fulfilment network.
Alex Tuya, chief executive officer of Page Bros Group, believes that the alignment between the two businesses was clear from the outset, saying: “BD&H has a fantastic reputation for creativity and excellence, and the kind of specialist print and design that really stands out in a retail environment.
“They were already trusted suppliers to Page Bros, and their work consistently impressed us. So, when the chance came to bring our businesses together, it felt like the obvious next step.”
Speaking in more detail about the deal, Tuya continues: “As soon as conversations began, we could see how closely their strengths matched what our customers have been asking for.
“We are now in a position to offer a wider, more joined-up range of services, and it opens the door to some new and exciting opportunities for both companies.”
James Fox, managing director of BD&H, states that the move marks an important next step for the business, saying: “Becoming part of Page Bros is a really exciting moment for us.
“BD&H has always been built on expertise, reliability, and strong relationships, and we saw those same values reflected in Page Bros from the very beginning. Joining forces gives us the backing and operational strength to take our print and display offering even further; while keeping the quality and personal service our customers know us for.”
Duplo builds on iSaddle 5.0 with iSaddle SENSHI
Manufacturer of print finishing technologies, Duplo has launched its latest saddle stitcher for a production environment.
Championing Duplo’s Japanese roots, the new iSaddle SENSHI is named after the Japanese word for ‘warrior’ which Duplo says symbolises strength and agility.
Described as “a fusion of agility, accuracy, and automation”, the iSaddle SENSHI has been designed for a modern high-production environment with fast-paced operations.
The new saddle stitcher features flat-to-finished book, heavy-duty stitching, significantly reduced makeready times, increased productivity, end-to-end automaton, and the intelligence to handle increasing numbers of short runs and complex jobs.
Max booklet thickness for the iSaddle SENSHI is 6mm (30 sheets of 80gsm, 120-page booklet); and the max flat sheet size possible is 356mm W x 610mm L with some media possibly limited to 356mm W x 508mm L or 230mm W x 610mm L.
The saddle stitcher has a stitching capability of 3mm (30 sheets of 80gsm), it has the option of up to four stitching heads, and has a max scoring thickness of 1mm.
“At Duplo, we understand that winning in any battle requires a combination of strength, intelligence, and skill,” says Marine Kerivel Brown, marketing manager at Duplo. “With the iSaddle SENSHI, we’ve created the perfect union between agility, accuracy, and automation, encased in a robust frame engineered for heavy-duty production.”
Building on Duplo’s iSaddle 5.0 solution, the iSaddle SENSHI is said to set a new benchmark by providing the quality of a saddle stitcher with the convenience of flat sheet.
If you have any news, please email carys@linkpublishing.co.uk or join in with the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Litho Printing: Long Live Litho Print
While there has been no escaping the digital revolution that has transformed the industry over the past 30 years or so, there is still a strong level of interest in litho. Yes, digital may hold some advantages over litho in terms of being more cost-effective for the printer, but when it comes to quality, nothing quite beats a litho print.
It is true that digital has made substantial steps forward in terms of matching litho for print quality, but the fact is that litho still leads the way. For this reason, many print companies continue to work with and invest in litho printing equipment, ensuring they have the ability to deliver high-quality printed work to customers.
Of course, litho investment is often more expensive than digital, but here at Print Monthly, we still receive a steady supply of stories about printers purchasing litho kit, showing that demand is very much still there and healthy.
World Record Investment
Casting our minds back to spring of 2023 and global packaging manufacturer WestRock set out its commitment to litho with a world-record investment from Heidelberg. The company took on two Heidelberg Speedmaster machines at its facility in Poland, one of which was the longest sheetfed offset ever produced.
The 42m-long press is a specially adapted custom configuration of a Speedmaster XL 106 with a total of 20 printing and coating units. The machine is suitable for handling a range of packaging applications, with the ability to produce striking coating and metallic effects, completely in-line, double-sided, and in a single pass. In addition, it fits in with WestRock’s wider sustainability strategy by being able to create environmentally friendly products.
Going in alongside the world-record press was a slightly smaller litho machine. Another Speedmaster XL 106 with a total of 19 printing and coating units, it is the second longest in the world, behind the larger machine at WestRock.
Mark Shaw, business leader for EMEA and APAC at WestRock, comments: “Innovation and sustainability are the bedrock of WestRock’s operation, and by investing in print technology from Heidelberg we are future-proofing our capabilities for our customers.
“There is no better demonstration of this than the two longest presses in the world being developed specifically for WestRock facilities. As brands continue to drive demand for sustainable, fibre-based packaging, through our continued investment and industry-leading expertise, we are well positioned to meet these needs.”
Digital Needs Litho
Closer to home and Birtwells Trade Print, a specialist trade print company, recently took on a new RMGT 524GX LED-UV B3 format litho press. Interestingly, the purchase broke its long association with Heidelberg, showing that despite Heidelberg being the giant of the litho market, there are plenty of developments to get excited about with other manufacturers within this area.
Purchased from MPL, the UK and Ireland dealer for RMGT, the press offers printing speeds of up to 11,000 sheets per hour. The 52cm machine has slotted into the Birtwells Trade Print setup nicely, with the company using litho for almost all of its trade work, the majority of which is business forms.
Birtwells Trade Print uses litho tech for most of its trade work. Pictured: the company’s new RMGT 524GX LED-UV B3 format litho press
“While the speeds are similar to our existing machine, there are many major benefits with the RMGT,” company secretary Sue Preugschat explains, adding: “The instant drying, of course, is the biggest plus. We know exactly what colour will appear, as there is no ink ‘dry back’, and there is no set-off of the ink. We can control the colour better, including the initial ink key information that we send through to the machine.
There is still a huge demand for forms, including NCR sets. This type of product is very difficult on digital, so many digital-only print companies need trade suppliers such as us”
“Our customer base is spread across print businesses without the capability to produce forms work and print management companies that need a reliable and capable forms producer. This means confidentiality is critical for us – the end customer doesn’t need to know that we printed the work. There is still a huge demand for forms, including NCR sets. This type of product is very difficult on digital, so many digital-only print companies need trade suppliers such as us.”
Cutting Production Time
Also on home turf, Oxfordshire-based commercial printer Windles Group has upgraded its litho offering with a new Rapida 106 X sheetfed offset press from Koenig & Bauer, its first machine from the manufacturer.
Running at speeds of up to 20,000 sheets per hour, Koenig & Bauer says the Rapida 106 X is the first sheetfed offset press with this speed also available in perfecting mode. The 740 x 1,060mm machine is suitable for commercial, label, and packaging print. As Windles Group counts packaging and commercial print among its core services, managing director Bruce Podmore says the machine has been a solid addition.
Windles’ Rapida 106 X press was configured as six units and one coater with a perfector after the first unit. Specified with Koenig & Bauer Simultaneous Plate Change (SPC), all plates can be changed in 34 seconds, while an extended delivery with VariDry Blue technology means up to 30% energy savings in the dryer due to the recirculation of unsaturated air.
“Quality can no longer be a printer’s main emphasis,” Podmore says, adding: “It’s not a differentiator – you need to be assured of good quality every time you roll the press. With this press, we will now be able to do the same amount of work in half the time, using 35% less energy, while making it a much more pleasant place to work.”
These examples represent just a small sample of some of the major litho purchases that have gone through in recent weeks and months. The likelihood is that 2024 will be similar, if not busier, than 2023 when it comes to companies stumping up cash for new kit.
The main reason for that is drupa, with the event once again set to play host to the titans of litho printing. Seeing some of this kit up close and speaking with experts about the benefits it offers could well inspire other printers to make the move and invest in new technology to bolster their litho offering.
PDS celebrates record turnover in 25th year
Wellingborough-based print management company PDS has reported a record annual turnover as it celebrates its 25th year in business.
Founded in 1998, FDS has expanded significantly over the past 25 years and most recently has achieved annual turnover in excess of £22m.
The company operates across two sites at the Park Farm Industrial Estate and has added a design studio, warehouse, and digital development capability as it has grown. With 60 employees, PDS offers print management, specialist procurement, creative design, agile storage, fulfilment, and website and online system designs for clients, at its 50,000sq ft warehouse.
In response to increased demand for storage capacity and to enable the business to scale its client stock and fulfilment operations with greater pace and flexibility, PDS launched its warehouse facility at Sinclair Drive last year.
This new facility can accommodate 5,000 pallets and provides access to over 1,500 pick faces.
Nick Shelton, founder and managing director of PDS, comments: “This is a significant milestone for PDS, and I am really proud of what we have achieved over the last quarter of a century. The business has overcome many challenges including the pandemic and has grown as a result of our willingness to change and adapt with agility.
“We have embraced technology and flexed our business model in response to demand from our clients, many of whom have been with us since the very beginning.”
With the business going from strength to strength, Shelton puts this continued growth to his employees who are the people who deliver PDS services.
“We have a fantastic team here at PDS and do all we can to support their wellbeing and foster an enjoyable place to work,” Shelton adds. “I really believe that our growth and success depend on nurturing our team so that they can deliver a great service.”
Embedded in the local community, PDS supports national charities and regularly sends a team to run in the Vitality 10K in London. Shelton himself is currently preparing to take part for the fourteenth successive year to help PDS raise money for Speech and Language UK.
On the future of the business, Shelton adds: “While our core business remains the same, we never stay still for long and will continue to innovate to make life easier for our clients, helping them to achieve their own goals.
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported PDS over the last 25 years and look forward to a bright future.”
If you have any news, please email carys@linkpublishing.co.uk or join in with the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn.
