Italian printer L’Artegrafica has installed a Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1 B2+ sheet-fed UV colour inkjet digital press.

As well as becoming the first AccurioJet customer in Italy, the KM-1 press has enabled the family-owned printing house to move into packaging, and develop canvas and plastics applications. This includes customer loyalty cards for local markets, by providing UV printing on standard media as well as special substrates up to 600g. Such work would previously have had to be completed in two stages, first printed on 400g litho paper and then laminated.

Another benefit is the development of an augmented reality (AR) project to open up new markets, such as in label printing and embellishment. Part of Konica Minolta’s wide-ranging support to the Treviso-based company will include providing membership of Konica Minolta Marketing Services supplier network, as well as commercial and operator training.

The AccurioJet KM-1’s in-built software manages L’Artegrafica’s incoming jobs more efficiently and cost-effectively, particularly in the competitive 50 x 70 sheet size order market.

Live production started in January on the Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1, which replaces four machines in the company’s digital division. Increasing amounts of work are anticipated to continue to transfer from litho to digital production, owing to B2+ size production, the ability to print on a wider range of substrates, and no pre-coating requirements.

The Zaia family, which founded L’Artegrafica in 1989, said, ‘Rapidly-changing and new markets are increasingly geared to high quality, short-run, personalised printing. This investment in the AccurioJet KM-1 gives us the ability to print on more substrates than ever before. It is a key part of our digital strategy and enables us to expand business services to our customers, while reducing costs. We certainly see UV inkjet as the future for digital production as we continue to transfer more jobs from litho production.’

Olaf Lorenz, general manager, DX Branding division at Konica Minolta, said, ‘As we continue to expand our approaches into the high-end commercial print market, it is key that we provide customers such as L’Artegrafica with world-class technology, support and business tools to enable them to capture new market opportunities with UV B2+ inkjet.

‘L’Artegrafica’s investment in the AccurioJet KM-1 followed extensive research of the market. We’re delighted it chose to continue with Konica Minolta as a trusted partner as we continue to accelerate our growth in industrial and print markets.’