Polish printer Bluejet has invested in an Onset X3 HS dual robot system from Fujifilm, expanding its product portfolio with the platform for high quality, high productivity large format print.

Based in Gdańsk on the Baltic coast of Poland, Bluejet has been a manufacturer of high-quality packaging and retail displays for almost 20 years. With a constant focus on new technologies, Bluejet specialises in personalised large format digital printing with automation at the centre of its production.

To further advance its automated print capabilities, the company invested in an Onset X3 HS with full automation from Fujifilm. The new system was installed in June 2021. The company already owns an Onset S20, Acuity LED 3200R and Uvistar II 5032 from Fujifilm.

Bluejet CEO Piotr Kaczorowski said, ‘We have a team of highly qualified specialists, many of whom have been working with us since the beginning of the company’s existence and make every effort to provide products and services of the highest quality. We also rely on the best, most highly advanced printing equipment on the market. This is why we’ve invested in Fujifilm equipment for many years.

‘Back in 2010, we invested in an Onset S20 and it was a great addition to our production. Once we expanded our facilities, this allowed us to develop a wider product portfolio and invest in other equipment to help us become more productive and achieve faster delivery times. Speed of service and quality are important to our customers. We also provide a much cheaper product offering than some other printers in the EU – so all of these factors are vital to us maintaining a sustainable customer base.’

Bluejet’s recent investment in the Onset X3 HS came after an analysis of other automated printing equipment.

Mr Kaczorowski continued, ‘Today our product offering is wider than ever, but we knew we needed the machinery to help us keep up with demand. We had identified a few machines which could help us address these requirements, but once we had a conversation with Fujifilm, we knew the Onset X3 HS – which has some outstanding features – would meet our requirements cost effectively.

‘We’ve already managed to achieve some uniquely impressive print work on the machine; including very specific typography and even braille which we provide for some of our customers. This is a very important product for the blind and visually impaired and it forms part of our ethos to be a company that specialises in solutions that are otherwise rare in the print market. The precision of the Onset X3 HS allows us to produce this specialised print work and it’s remarkable to see it in action.’

The automated aspects of the Onset X3 HS, which has robotic arms for the loading and unloading of substrates, have impressed Mr Kaczorowski, with the robotisation and automation of Bluejet’s printing equipment, ‘very important, as it will allow us to increase production, reduce labour costs, and maintain repeatability of production. We’re proud to be the first Polish digital printing house to have these dual robots installed.’

This investment also helps set Bluejet up for future success post-Covid, as Mr Kaczorowski commented, ‘What the print industry is seeing is an increase in demand for shorter run lengths and more personalised work. The pandemic has led to sharp falls in overall production outlays – mainly from offset – and these jobs are being transferred to large production digital machines like the Onset X3 HS. Thanks to this new technology from Fujifilm, we will be able to win many new customers. The last 18 months have shown us that automating processes can help us to work in a more stable way and ensure our deliveries to customers remain consistent. Next year, we aim to install more printing equipment and robots.’

Tomasz Wroblewski, general director at Fujifilm Graphic Systems Poland, said, ‘We’ve enjoyed an excellent relationship with Bluejet over the years and we’re delighted to see the Onset X3 HS Dual Robot help the company achieve some remarkable and unique print work. It is a forward-thinking company and we’re very much looking forward to continuing to work with Bluejet, as well as discovering what new applications it will look to create with the machine.’