Improved creative opportunities for POS and POP markets

EskoArtwork announces the installation of a Kongsberg i -XL44 cutting table at Screenprint Productions through its distributor Raster Printers. The company, based in Elland in Yorkshire, specializes in large format POS and POP material for retail outlets and supermarkets as well as sign and displays for exhibitions and events.

The company recently moved into digital production whilst maintaining screen printing, its core competency, to maximize business opportunities and manage the growing demand for short run creative work. Screenprint’s dedicated 18,000 sq ft finishing factory incorporates in-house laminating, joinery and shop fitting departments. Mark Dempsey, Sales Director at Raster Printers explains: “Screenprint Productions purchased the Kongsberg i -XL44 last June to maximize its finishing capabilities. The company is thrilled with the investment as it has been able to reduce overheads on outsourcing contract work. Up to now, the company used die-cutting to produce free standing displays in a variety of materials. The Kongsberg enables shorter run work to be produced more economically”

Since its installation, the Kongsberg i -XL44 has been in production on a daily basis. Chris White, Managing Director at Screenprint Productions comments: “We have been in business for over 25 years with a long experience in screen printing. Eager to move with the times, we decided to invest in the latest digital printing technology. Digital printing has become a growing part of our business and the EskoArtwork Kongsberg table with its market leadership tag fits our company’s needs perfectly. The cutting table is proving to be a real asset. We are using the 3 x 2 meter capacity for straightforward POS and POP as well as for more elaborate stands and exhibition displays. The many tool functions of the Kongsberg MultiCUT offer numerous milling and creasing possibilities on a diversity of substrates such as corrugated board, plastics, acrylics and wood.”

Screenprint‘s design studio is the hub of the business. The company recently recruited extra staff for its design team to manage the growing amount of work. Chris White has seen a marked improvement in turnaround times since bringing all the processes in-house. “EskoArtwork’s ArtiosCAD software has enabled existing staff and new staff to quickly overlap and work together to create the files. This investment has also given me the opportunity to become further involved in the creative prototypes,” says White. “In the past, we worked with two or three contractors when using acrylics or wood for example. With the EskoArtwork cutting table, everything is now under our control and we work at our pace without being dependent on others. We can turn prototypes around much faster than before.”

The company plans to expand and intends to move into a purpose built 50,000 sq ft factory at the end of 2009. The new factory will house the whole company, which is currently split over three sites. White further comments: “We are operating in a highly competitive industry sector but I believe there are still a lot of business opportunities that we can explore. We need to use our core skills and expand our services to our existing customers as well as opening new avenues of enquiry. There is so much scope to enlarge our offerings and offer creative possibilities.”

Screenprint Productions has always based its work ethic on personal service and the company makes it a priority to work very closely with its customers to ensure full understanding of their requirements. White concludes: “EskoArtwork’s equipment has exceeded all of our expectations and has turned out to be a key investment for us. Versatility is one of our key strengths and the versatility of the Kongsberg table with MultiCUT is a perfect fit for our company and our customers’ future.”