Book printer Ligare has opened a digital print facility featuring an Oce VarioStream 7450 digital web printer at its site in Riverwood, which the company claims will retain its competitiveness in the market. Ligare also says despite the current economic climate it is experiencing an increase in demand for short and medium run books.
As well as the 7450 the site also includes a 6250 sheet printer and an additional 620 colour printer. Ligare has also invested in a new Horizon BQ-270, a fully automated perfect binding machine, which the company believes will improve turnaround time.
Cliff Brigstocke, CEO of Ligare says, “We are experiencing an increased demand for short and medium run books and are benefiting from capital investment in our digital printing facility. This investment means we are now able to offer an unparalleled range of printing and binding solutions with an improved turnaround time for our customers.”
He continues, “While conventional printing will continue to be the centre of our business, by combining digital with traditional printing we will continue to expand in this market.”
Ligare says for mono runs over 500 copies conventional printing is probably more cost effective however for runs less than 500 digital can often be more economical. The company adds that the ability to offer economical short runs makes the intellectual capital of publications available to niche markets.
Bridgstocke also says the digital equipment is much smaller than conventional hardware and takes up around 50 per cent of the space needed for its conventional counterparts.
Daryl Melham, MP for Banks, who officially opened the digital print facility, says the investment is a positive step for medium sized businesses that are facing hard economical times.
He says, “Companies have had to change and evolve in order to sustain their business, which is what this investment is about as it is enabling an Australian company to compete effectively with China and other overseas markets.”
Ligare continues that the facility is an environmentally digital printing solution as Oce has a complete environmental sustainability focus for its printers such as reduced energy needs and end of life projections. The facility can also offer sustainable paper options with either PEFC or FSC certified papers.
