Me & My: Duplo DDC-810 digital finishing kit

Q: Please describe your company... 
A: Raipur-based digital print specialist in Chattisgarh, Exact Graphics was established in 2006. The firm started as a design bureau, and in 2013 it started providing digital print services with the installation of a Konica Minolta C6501 digital production press. In 2016, Exact replaced the KM C6501 with a KM C1085 digital press. Its latest acquisition is the Duplo DDC-810 digital finishing kit.

Q: Why did you decide to invest in the DDC-810?
A: We used to outsource spot UV jobs. It was either screen printed locally or printed digitally in Delhi. The process took 10-12 days, thereby delaying the delivery of the printed product. Our customers started complaining, which is not a good sign for any business. That’s when we decided to invest in a host of digital finishing kits such as the DDC-810 and a Duplo DC-646 slitter-cutter-creaser. Besides, we already have a JWEI plotter, a regular cutting machine and a thermal laminator.

Q: What are the features of DDC-810 that impress you? 
A: The robustness, small footprint and the speed. All three have combined to give our print business a competitive edge.

Q: How are these features benefiting your print production? 
A: With the kind of equipment we have, our focus is on providing a complete print solution rather than just selling a printed sheet. As a result, we are now attracting customers who are looking for premium quality print jobs, and products which are perfect in size and shape.

Q: For what applications is the DDC-810 used?
A: It is mainly for short-run print applications such as business cards, invitation cards, brochures, catalogues, booklets, and book covers among others.

Q: What is the one thing it lacks, which would benefit your production? 
A: While inline foiling would be an ideal option, it’s not been as successful as it was envisaged in more expensive machines seen in the market. There’s an offline option available, which we are looking at. With offline foiling, we will be able to create more creative combinations of foil and UV.   

Q: Can you give examples of quality enhancement of the print applications you produced?
A: Customers use spot UV on their products to draw attention to a certain area of the prints – to make it a high impact tool. Here registration is important, because a mismatch of even 1mm can result in rejections. But with the DDC-810 that’s not the case. We are happy that our customers’ products are getting noticed. Our customers tell us that the elegant finish becomes a conversation starter. That’s what a print product should do, and I am glad that ours do.

Q: If there’s a critical print job that has come your way, would you rely on this to see it through?
A: Yes, I trust DDC’s capability completely. Armed with the DDC-810, today, we are in a position to deliver spot UV  jobs in a day’s time.

Q: What’s the quality like?  
A: Producing a perfect product is our USP. The DDC-810 has bolstered our USP, giving us the ability of on-time delivery.

Q: How easy is it to use? 
A: It’s simple and user-friendly, plug-and-play, you may say.

Q: Would you say that it offers value for money? 
A: Yes, it does. I am able to charge a premium to customers who appreciate quality.

Q: How was the installation, pre-sales and after-sales experience?  
A: The DDC-810 was supplied and installed by TechNova, the representative for Duplo in India. The installation was smooth and quick. It took about a week for the machine to be up and running, which included the installation and training of our operators. I must also mention that the TechNova team’s assistance in integrating the digital finishing kit with our digital print production, has made us a one-stop shop for all printing needs.

Q: Who do you think the DDC is right for?
A: For anyone looking to produce creative prints.

Q: If you plan your next investment in a similar equipment, would you opt for a DDC kit?
A: Yes, without a doubt.