Located in High Point, North Carolina, just outside of Greensboro, diverse print service provider ASB Graphics recently installed the Fujifilm J Press 750S to creatively improve the value-add print service offering for their customers while adding significant efficiencies to their business model simultaneously.
The Fujifilm J Press 750S production inkjet sheetfed press had become an immediate solution based on its ability to offer versatile capabilities that set it apart from its competition.
Since 1984 ASB Graphics has been catering to a diverse set of clientele according to Jamie Brisendine, Director of ASB Graphics. ASB Graphics is an in-plant printer for their sister company, ACME Sample, supplying them with all of the printed materials they need to produce various swatch cards, painting sets, memos and stack books to the textile and wall covering industry. Secondly, they are a supplier of custom scorecards to more than 500 different golf courses across the country. ASB also operates as a traditional commercial printer with a strong focus on their two main local industries of furniture and photography studios.
With customers looking to ASB for a diverse range of products including those calling for shorter runs and faster turnaround times, but at offset quality, Brisendine saw the need to add a press that was capable of all that and more. “To address our customers’ needs, I researched probably every digital press option that there is and the J Press 750S was the only one that’s been able to check every box I had to consider it as a purchase.” Brisendine lauds the J Press for being able to allow ASB to not only satisfy the needs of his current customers, but also allow ASB to seek out new opportunities based on the unique capabilities and configuration flexibility the J Press brings.
The J Press 750S delivers the industry benchmark in quality, reliability and repeatability through advancement in technology across all aspects of digital printing, achieving a quality level that out-performs offset. The 750S prints 3,600 sheets per hour, for both static and variable jobs, with a maximum sheet size of 23” x 29.5” (585mm x 750mm) running both coated and uncoated standard offset stock from 60 lb. text up to 24-point board stock. All meeting ASB’s check boxes.
Lowering inventory, lowering costs and being able to deliver without color deviation and added cost to produce the lower quantities that match perfectly creates numerous challenges. The J Press 750S solves these issues. “Having a best-in-show digital press allows us the flexibility to offer our customers who are looking for lower quantity, customizable runs a solution that we were not previously able to offer on a conventional press,” said Brisendine.
In the past year, the J Press 750S has also achieved ISO/PAS 15339 Master Elite System Certification plus Digital Press Certification from global graphic communications industry group Idealliance serving as the industry benchmark in quality, reliability, and repeatability across all aspects of digital printing, meeting and exceeding colormatic requirements and having CMYK registration measured as Perfect.
One of ASB’s largest customers needed solid color consistency for printing of their swatch cards and 750S delivered. “They will actually have a launch of their swatch cards, and then three months later they will have a relaunch of those swatch cards, each at different quantity,” added Jamie. “So instead of printing 9,000 and housing the inventory, we now have the ability to produce their cards on demand with color consistency, which will really help level out our production and reduce the risk of overproduction.”
Opening up to new markets and opportunities was another key goal that played a large part in the decision to invest in the Fujifilm J Press 750S according to ASB. “The goal was to not just get something that kept us doing what we were doing,” said Jamie. Growth opportunities identified by ASB was short run work from both existing and new clients that they weren’t able to accommodate before the J Press 750S because of offset production costs. The short run folding carton segment is now also a market ASB is considering because the J Press can run up to 24-pt. board stock. ASB’s J Press installation is proof positive that commercial printers are not only using J Press to solve unique challenges, but also opening themselves up to entirely new lines of print business previously out of reach with current digital platforms and traditional assets.
The 750S is the third generation of the J Press series, another reason for ASB’s purchase decision according to Jamie. “This isn’t new to Fujifilm. This is something Fujifilm had success with and continues to refine. Not to mention they’ve got the number one print head in the industry.”
ASB Graphics is passionate about staying on top of the market trends and its customer needs as well as the ability to open up new areas and new markets. When reflecting on the age of digital production inkjet, Brisendine commented, “We’re in it now. It’s here.”
When thinking back on his many years of experience with Fujifilm as a supplier, Brisendine said “I’ve always been happy with their service, reputation and everything else. Being the global leader that they are and in so many other markets, I’m confident that they will always be around.”
For more information on ASB Graphics and its variety of services and capabilities, go to www.asbgraphics.com
For additional information on the J Press 750S production inkjet sheetfed press from Fujifilm, go to www.fujifilminkjet.com/jpress750S/
