First waterless Genius 52UV ensures sustainable printing

Fishprint is one of the leading companies in Australia in the use of environmentally friendly printing techniques, and proudly calls itself a "100% waterless printing company". For some time now, a KBA Rapida 74, which also works without water, has been used for printing paper in the B2 format. So for a new business idea it was only logical to tread a path that would further promote environmental friendliness in the printing process. With its waterless Genius 52UV, Fishprint wants to add to its general print work and print on non-absorbent plastics such as PVC, PC, PS, ABS, and PP. Non-absorbent paper surfaces, such as metallized or iridescent papers now also form part of its product portfolio. 

For Fishprint it was clear that the Genius 52UV in particular was suitable for blazing new trails in offset printing and for entering a niche where the company could distance itself from the competition. For one thing, the Genius 52UV prints with UV inks that cure in the delivery segment of the printing press, immediately after printing. In addition, this offset machine requires no water or additives such as isopropanol, and other polluting stabilisers. The use of anti-set-off powder is completely avoided.  

Thanks to the waterless printing process, and in conjunction with the Genius 52UV short inking units, only a few start-up sheets are needed - unlike in conventional offset printing. Waste is thus very much reduced. The technique differs fundamentally from conventional offset printing. 

The benefits of the Genius 52UV are many and varied for the printers at Fishprint: Like no other small format machine, Genius 52UV produces a saleable result after just ten start- up sheets. In terms of colour, it meets the pre-press targets, and remains stable during the entire print run, thanks to an inking unit temperature control system. The adjustment of ink zones, as is the case on a conventional offset press, is now completely superfluous, because the five short inking units have no ink keys. An Anilox roller provides constant ink control and automatically gives the correct amount of ink to the printing areas of the printing plates. Neither water nor isopropanol are needed in the process. Instead, silicone-coated printing plates provide a perfect sectioning of printing and non-printing image areas. The result is the reproduction of crisp images with very fine screen sizes (120L/cm or frequency modulated). Due to the absence of a dampening unit, the printers at Fishprint are achieving fantastic vibrant colour reproduction results.  

Fishprint strives to provide its customers with the highest quality printed materials, though with one eye on the environment. The printing company is going down this road with conviction and wants to set new quality standards in the printing process while promoting greater environmental responsibility and sustainability in its services to clients. Fishprint is a young company, founded in 2001 by Peter Booth and boosted by the arrival of Tony Murphy in 2003. The company were finalist for the 2008 Premier's Sustainability Award by the state of Victoria for its commitment to reduce greenhouse gases. The company is certified with the Ecolabelling ISO 14024 ‘Whole of Life Cycle, by good environmental choice Australia’ and won the prestigious Australian ‘Savewater! Awards® in 2007. The company is also ‘Waste Wise’ certified (a Victorian Government certification scheme) and do recycle 98.8% of their waste. Peter Booth states: “Our aim is to be the most environmentally friendly printer in the world! Fishprint serves many environmentally aware corporate, local, state and federal Government departments, who aim for the highest level of sustainable print purchasing!” 

Peter Booth, Fishprint's managing director, talked enthusiastically about his new acquisition: "We've been looking for ways to print environmentally friendly on extravagant substrates such as magnetic foils, foil stickers, plastic cards and plastic tags, mouse pads or table mats as well as normal jobbing work for a long time. The Genius 52UV is the ideal printing machine for such applications. It only needs a small amount of floor space and can print up to five different colours. The fifth printing unit can also be used for UV varnishes. Printed materials dry instantly and are immediately ready to be further processed or shipped. The machine is easy to operate and prints up to 8,000 sheets per hour. The automatic plate inserters position the plates so precisely that we rarely have to correct the registration of the four process colours." 

The Pacprint trade show, held in Melbourne from 26 to 30 May 2009, was crucial for Fishprint's decision to purchase the Genius 52UV. KBA-Metronic’s Australian distributor Jet Technologies exhibited the machine at its innovative stand as an Australian "first" and attracted many interested parties from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Rim.  

Interesting Websites 

www.fishprint.com.au 

www.jet-technolgies.com.au