Benefitz, based on Auckland’s North Shore’s, has placed an order for the southern hemisphere’s first B2, or four-up, inkjet digital press: the Dainippon Screen Truepress JetSX.
Supplied through Fujifilm, Screen’s NewZealand distributor, The Truepress JetSX will arrive for installation late May or early June. Aidan Bennett, managing director of Benefitz, says, "There is no doubt that the printing landscape is changing and these types of machines are the future. Our new Screen Truepress JetSX will close the gap between digital and offset printing even further, and offer real advantages for our customers.”
During February, Bennett travelled to Japan with his brother, and fellow Benefitz director, Dallas Bennett and Screen Australia managing director Peter Scott, for a working demonstration of the Truepress JetSX at Screen’s Technology Centre in Tokyo. Dallas Bennett says, “There is a school of thought that you are better to stand back and watch this type of new technology develop before jumping in; but we have always been leaders, rather than followers, and this was a great opportunity to extend our partnership with Fujifilm New Zealand. We are excited about the growth this will bring to our business.”
Benefitz already uses other pieces of Screen technology: the PlateRite 4300 CTP thermal platesetter and a Truepress 344 hybrid offset B3 press that images plates onboard. It also takes a lead in personalised printing, using Fuji Xerox Xmpie on its existing fleet of iGen4 and Color 1000 presses. Aidan Bennett says, "We have invested heavily in this area of our business. Our powerful solution is achieved by pairing Xmpie Personal Effect software with our printing technology.”
Dallas Bennet says, “We have grown as a business during tough economic times; largely due to our innovation and future thinking, so we are confident that this will continue that trend. The neat thing is; every time we introduce new technologies such as the JetSX, we improve our environmental performance as well, which is very important to our customers.”
Peter Scott says, “To say we are delighted that the first JetSX in ANZ is going into such a progressive business as Benefitz is an understatement. Their entire operation is a shining example of how a modern business should be run with a combination of offset, digital, wide format, display and signage, design, web development, email marketing and social media services. I am confident they have made the right choice in B2 digital sheetfed with the JetSX and we eagerly look forward to seeing the first jobs roll off the press in June.”
The JetSX’s sheet size of 740mm x 530mm will enable Benefitz to print personalised and variable data sheets at twice the size of A3/B3 digital presses. It can achieve economy of scale for smaller personalised items by stepping multiple items up onto the larger sheet. Screen says that printing four-up (A4) also makes photobook and other publication work more cost-effective, and meshes with the company’s existing B2 finishing equipment that currently services its two Komori presses.
At the front end the JetSX features Screen’s new Equios offering variable data capability, imposition and new screening algorithms developed specially for high resolution piezo inkjet. The Truepress JetSX's 1440dpi grayscale inkjet technology allows the machine to print on standard coated or uncoated offset papers and board up to 0.6mm thick. Screen says the two picolitre ink droplet size yields fine detail and very smooth gradations. A touch-panel interface enables single-operator control over all JetSX functions from one location. Aidan Bennett says, “As well as advantages in the sheet size, the new Truepress JetSX will enable us to print very thick card, so it opens up opportunities in the short-run packaging market with variable data or personalised packaging, as every sheet can be different.”
While drupa showed or announced 13 B2 digital presses last year, Screen has a jump on its competitors with the Screen Truepress JetSX so far the only commercially available duplexing/perfecting B2-size inkjet machine. UK company RCS Printing installed the first Jet SX late last year and the company expects at least two more installations in the US and liely European orders.
Founded 25 years ago, Benefitz has grown to employ 80 people. As a communications company, it provides a range of options for its clients including design; print in offset, digital, wide format; web development; marketing and social media.
