Me & My: Komori Enthrone 29

Describe your company...

We are a commercial printing press having completed 40 years. Ours is a family-owned business managed by the second generation. We print commercial jobs as well as packaging jobs. The print shop is equipped with this new Komori Enthrone 29 and a previously installed Komori Lithrone four-colour; a Mitsubishi Diaya four-colour; a Heidelberg Kord and GTO one-colour presses.

 

When did you install the machine and what kind of application do you print on the press?

The press arrived in November, 2014 and was installed a month later in December. We print commercial jobs like brochures and catalogues, and in packaging mono cartons etc. We have our in-house jobs as well as freelancers who need quality printing.

 

Why did you decide to invest in an offset press of this kind? Why not digital?

Offset or digital? This has been a long drawn industry debate. But we decided to opt for offset, and in this press because it’s a mid-segment press, which fulfils the requirements of both the A4 and A3 size commercial segments, as well as the packaging segment. Besides, the press’ double-diameter allows us to print boards easily. With digital this would not have been possible. We think when digital entered into the league, it had its importance, but today digital is considered as a cheap option rather than a quality option.

 

Did you look at any other similar machines? 

Yes, we looked at technologies from Heidelberg, Ryobi and KBA.

 

Why did you choose this particular machine?

It’s a low capital investment kit, a double-diameter machine and a product made for the Asian segment.

 

What tilted the scale in favour of this press?

The short makeready feature. Plus it’s 29-inch format allows printing of sheets in the size of 30x40-inch.

 

How much have these features helped you in print work?

A makeready time of 10 minutes helps us print 30 jobs with runs between 2000-3000 a day.

 

Having used the machine for four months now, is there anything that you wish it had that it doesn’t?

I wish it had a CPtronics added to the features and the overall build of the machine could have been better, particularly its metallurgy.

 

What’s the speed of the machine?

We are running it at above 13,000 and going good.

 

How reliable is the machine?

So far so good. Only time will tell.

 

If there’s a critical print job that has come your way, would you rely on this press to see it through?

In print every job is critical and has its own challenges, but significantly I would say that solid patch jobs we perform on this machine gives us that extra confidence of quality output.

 

Do you think it allows you the flexibility to do urgent jobs on the fly?

Positively, but it also depends on the operator.

 

What’s the quality like? Can you give examples to compare quality enhancement?

Quality depends on how good your pre-press process is and the kind of pressroom chemistry and inks you use. But overall we are getting consistent quality jobs from the first to the last sheet.

 

How easy is it to use?

It’s a very good and user-friendly machine. Our team enjoys operating the machine.

 

How much time or money has it saved?

It has saved us majorly on time and wastages. The maximum number of jobs you turnaround is your gain. Less wastage is also savings. But again it depends upon the job type and operator.

 

Has it won you any new work?

Yes, definitely.

 

Would you say that it offers value for money?

It’s certainly an affordable kit, and we are satisfied with it.

 

Who do you think the machine is right for?

For packaging and commercial jobs.

 

Under what circumstances would you buy another?

We are planning for another machine with coating and UV press.