Michael Todd, managing director of RCS in Retford
Retford-based RCS Plc employs 100 staff and supplies a wide range of print products, sold through its UK-wide network of resellers, which includes copy shops, printers, print buyers and designers, and through its online facility.
Over the last two years, the company has invested over £1 million in technology for the production of high-margin, short-run personalised print products. Most recently, this has included Europe’s first Screen Truepress JetSX B2 digital press to complement its two B2 Scodix 1200 UV digital embossing presses. These now run alongside the company’s existing B2, B1 and large format offset presses and comprehensive in-house finishing capabilities.
The Screen Truepress JetSX is the world’s first full colour, duplex B2 sheetfed inkjet press and outputs at 1440 x 1440 dpi. Supporting a maximum sheet size of 740 x 530 mm, it can print everything from standard A4, through calendars, folders and book covers, to A2/B2 posters, printing directly onto standard offset stocks without the need for pre-coating or using a treated inkjet paper. The press also meets RCS’s strict environmental standards with its low energy consumption, efficient ink consumption and minimal waste features. It has a straight-feed, precision vacuum flatbed paper transport mechanism that enables it to handle media from 0.08 mm up to 0.6 mm and prints CMYK with water-based pigment inks.
Michael Todd, managing director, said, ‘This press is a compelling and unique product that opens the door to specialist applications and more rewarding business opportunities. It’s a game changer for our business and lifts digital quality and flexibility to a new level. As the only B2 inkjet press that can print onto pre-scored and pre-creased boards, it allows us to produce dozens of web2print packaging solutions very efficiently and extremely competitively.
The fact that the press is compatible with B2 and B3 stocks mean it fits easily with our folders, binders, laminators, and so on, and because the ink dries virtually instantly we can go to finishing almost immediately after printing.’
The company notched up another UK first when it was installed the Scodix 1200 UV digital embossing press, a UV cured B2 format inkjet that creates raised effects and textures in clear polymer. Mr Todd said, ‘In combination with the finishes possible with the Scodix 1200, our new press is perfect for producing premium personalised and promotional print and gifts, such as playing cards, books and packaging.’
With these installations in place, the company is currently developing and market testing a range of personalised gift products, such as confectionary and drinks cartons, countdown chocolate calendars, delegate/guest packs for events, birthday packs and more. it will be pursuing a dual direct-to-market and reseller sales model for all personalised products. It has also launched an online personalised playing card service.
Mr Todd explained, ‘Traditional high volume, low margin print is declining while consumers’ demand for premium quality personalised print is growing. Ideally, our target market is the high added value print run of one: in the future we would be delighted for every piece of print we produce to be different, a premium product commanding a premium price.’ He concluded, ‘For the first time, true personalisation and a top quality finish are affordable, even if you only want one gift. Quality print can surprise and delight, visually and through its tactile nature, and our finishes add depth, texture and a new dimension to images and text. Combined with a uniquely personal message, it’s a very powerful medium. We call it ‘personalisation plus’ and we believe it’s a world first.’
