US commercial printer ASB Graphics is seeking to exploit the potential in the burgeoning market for digitally printed folding cartons, following its investment in a Fujifilm J Press 750S sheet-fed inkjet digital press.
Since 1984, ASB Graphics has been catering to a diverse set of clientele. Whilst operating as a traditional commercial printer with a strong focus on the two main local industries of furniture and photography studios in North Carolina, it also acts as an in-plant printer for sister company Acme Sample, supplying all of the printed materials needed to produce various swatch cards, painting sets, memos and stack books to the textile and wall covering industry. In addition, ASB Graphics supplies custom scorecards to more than 500 different golf courses across the US.
These customers are increasingly demanding shorter runs and faster turnarounds, leading to the investment in the Fujifilm J Press 750S press, which can print 3600 sheets per hour, for both static and variable jobs, with a maximum sheet size of 585 x 750mm, and on both coated and uncoated standard offset stock from 60lbs text up to 24pt board stock.
Opening up to new markets and opportunities was another key goal that played a large part in the decision to invest in the press. Growth opportunities identified by ASB Graphics include short run work from both existing and new clients that it wasn’t able to accommodate prior to the installation of the Fujifilm J Press 750S, largely due to offset production costs. As a result, the short run folding carton segment is now a market ASB Graphics is considering because the J Press 750S can run up to 24pt board stock.
ASB Graphics director Jamie Brisendine commented, ‘The goal was to not just get something that kept us doing what we were doing.’
Read the latest developments in digital folding carton printing technology in the May/June issue of Digital Labels & Packaging, and here
