FASTPRINT HALVES TURNROUND TIMES
Brace of Konica machines for Hastings printer
SUMMARY
FastPrint, a long-established commercial printer in Hastings, has transformed its production capabilities through a strategic investment in Konica Minolta’s AccurioPress C4070 and C7090, supplied and supported by Service Offset Supplies (SOS). With demand rising and legacy equipment reaching end-of-life, FastPrint needed greater speed, consistency and capacity.
The Intelligent Quality Optimisation on the AccurioPress C7090 has helped to halve turnaround times, improve colour accuracy and enable high-volume, uninterrupted runs. Lower running costs and reduced waste have strengthened profitability, while the expanded capability has opened new opportunities across healthcare, local councils, political campaigns and fine-art clients. Supported by SOS and Konica Minolta’s engineering teams, FastPrint now operates with greater confidence, efficiency and room for continued growth.
THE CHALLENGE
FastPrint’s existing production presses had reached end-of-life after nearly a decade of heavy use. The business was growing rapidly, but the ageing equipment was limiting productivity, consistency and turnaround times.
The team wanted a higher-volume capability to handle increasingly large commercial and artistic print runs. They also needed improved colour stability and precision for clients producing fine-art and craftsmanship materials. In addition, the company required faster turnaround times to maintain competitiveness, reduce the need for manual checking, batching and reprinting, and lower running costs.
THE SOLUTION
The solution came from Service Offset Supplies (SOS), a specialist in commercial printing equipment, which specified a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C4070. With print speeds of up to 70 ppm, it was an ideal fit for FastPrint’s needs.
The performance and quality improvement delivered by the AccurioPress C4070 was an instant success, presenting the company with an opportunity to expand the business. Eager to scale its high-volume production print capabilities even further to meet growing demand, the company called upon SOS and Konica Minolta again.
The result was the addition of a high-performance AccurioPress C7090 with the latest IQ501 Intelligent Quality Optimiser. The IQ501 was a key factor, enabling long, uninterrupted runs with automated colour and registration control. As FastPrint Director Darren Rogers commented: “The new IQ501 delivers even greater automation. We literally load the machine with paper and walk away, fully assured it will deliver the results we need.”
The installation completed by SOS also included a new Konica Minolta bizhub 751i Flux multifunctional print device for its Hastings shopfront, ensuring consistent quality for all walk-in and commercial work.
Kevin Andrew, UK Sales at SOS, explained: “FastPrint is a long-standing customer with a clear vision for growth. Working with Konica Minolta, we were able to deliver a production setup that gives them the speed, reliability and cost-efficiency they need to expand confidently into new markets.”
BENEFITS, RESULTS & ROI
FastPrint’s investment in the AccurioPress C4070 and C7090 – fully supported by Service Offset Supplies and Konica Minolta – has delivered a step-change in productivity, quality and commercial performance.
Turnaround times have been cut by half, enabling the business to meet tight deadlines and increase production. Print quality has improved significantly thanks to the C7090’s IQ501 Intelligent Quality Optimiser, which maintains colour stability and registration throughout long runs.
Production capacity has increased dramatically. FastPrint can now take on high-volume commercial work – including 10,000+ run jobs – without manual checking or batching. Lower click rates and reduced waste have strengthened profitability, allowing the company to remain competitive while expanding into new markets.
Darren concluded: “Because we’ve slashed turnaround times in half, we can take on more work. The new machines also give us higher quality and let us push further into fine-art printing. We can now take on bigger, longer runs with total confidence. The improved click rate has made us far more cost-effective, and we can pass those savings on to customers. With Konica Minolta and SOS behind us, we’ve got the support and reliability we need to keep growing.”
Nick McConnell, Production & Industrial Print Manager at Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd, concluded: “This is a genuine digital transformation story, driven by technology, partnership and a clear focus on quality and service. Working in partnership, we have transformed the way the business operates, moving from a position where it could be a challenge to meet customers’ demands, to a situation where FastPrint is enjoying considerable success in terms of customer delivery and accelerated growth.”
