Gloucester-based print and digital media house, Severn, has turned to Prepress UK in order to keep its Kodak Prinergy driven Epson large format printers producing ISO12647-2 certified proofs. The single StudioRIP Inkjet Edition software package is driving two Epson 7800 printers – and producing proofs at twice the speed of the original system.

Some two years ago, Kodak, suppliers of hundreds-of-thousands of pounds worth of pre-press equipment to Severn, including its Prinergy workflow system, had advised the customer that it would no longer be supporting the Epson printer connection that it had originally provided. All continued well for a time, but when difficulties arose with the system, Production Manager Lyndon Murray had to act quickly.

"I had known Nic Chapman for many years, and approached him to ask if he would be able to help us in our 'hour of need'," said Lyndon. "I was amazed at how quickly Prepress UK were able to come to the rescue. From my initial contact with Nic, we had the solution installed and working within four days."

"The StudioRIP Inkjet package not only solved our immediate problems, providing accurate, consistent colour proofs to ISO12647-2 standard, it actually speeded up the whole proofing process, with a 50% improvement in output speeds."

Severn hit the headlines earlier this year when the environmentally friendly print business installed one of Komori’s first B2 format H-UV presses, providing fast and efficient LED-UV drying.

Adding further thoughts on Prepress UK as a supplier, Lyndon Murray added: "The post installation support has also been extraordinary compared to some of the big suppliers. We had an issue with getting an InDesign file through the system. We called the Prepress UK support line: they linked directly into the system, tweaked the software set-up, and within 20 minutes we were running the file. That’s what I call support!"

Prepress UK’s Sales Director Nic Chapman, commenting on his company’s performance, added: "The big pre-press suppliers do sometimes have support issues with third party product that they have installed – maybe there is just not enough money in it for them to continue helping the customer with that equipment – but that’s where Prepress UK comes into its own. Our software engineers are more than happy to recommend a system that will suit the customers needs and solve their day-to-day problems. Often, like with Severn, our expertise can get a system performing even better than the original configuration."

Andrew Aldridge, Technical Manager at Prepress UK, added: "Swift and effective support for pre-press products is as essential as a timely and efficient installation. If we can solve an issue by dialling into a system and tweaking the RIP settings then that is the obviously most beneficial solution for all concerned – for us, for the print business and, most importantly, for the printers customer – in terms of both cost and time."

About Severn

Severn was established in 1977. The company has developed print related services to match exactly what its customers require and all are delivered using Severn’s environmental expertise. The business offers traditional printing, but with its latest investment, the Komori H-UV press, a fast drying, “better-for-the-environment” offset litho solution; personalised printing with the latest digital output; display printing for big impact poster sized work; design and artwork for print as well as on-line needs; mailing; as well as a full cross media solution bringing digital and on-line together.
The directors of Severn realised many years ago that printing is one of the few industries that has the potential to be truly sustainable in its purest form. The company has been working with its environmentally supportive customers to achieve this goal of providing a truly sustainable business. Severn was at the forefront of reducing IPA (industrial alcohol used by litho presses to break down water surface tension) to levels way below that used by many UK printers. Now it has eliminated the use of IPA entirely, and has become an alcohol free printer.

The firm attained the ISO 14001 accreditation and FSC certification in 2004, and last year it became one of nine printing companies in the UK to meet the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme’s environmental standards.

About Prepress UK

Prepress UK is an independent supplier of pre-press hardware and software. The company is able to provide significant experience and a professional and reliable approach to pre-press problems. With offices in Brighton and Cheltenham, the company provides specialised software solutions backed by an unparalleled personal service from initial enquiry through post sales support. If you have a pre-press problem, let Prepress UK solve it for you. Prepress UK supplies cost effective device independent prepress workflows; PDF and PostScript RIPs and RIP upgrades; CIP3 pre-press and press integration systems; technical support for existing systems; and colour management and ICC profile creation services.