Print Solutions
Sketches Int has become the first UK print business to receive the new AccurioShine 3600 inkjet spot UV coater with iFoil One in line hot foil stamping module from Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd. The Ruislip based printing and design agency is utilising its new investment to produce high impact and premium quality products for its customers, whilst saving 30% on costs by completing embellishments in-house.
Director Nizar Alolabi commented, ‘We are proud to be the first UK print business to be using the AccurioShine 3600 which undoubtedly gives us an advantage over our competitors. We have been very pleased with the whole process, from the initial consultation to the easy and straightforward installation and continued ongoing support from the Konica Minolta team.’
Originally based in the UAE, Sketches Int established its UK operations in 2019 to extend its high quality bespoke print, labels, and packaging products to a new European audience, where it has fostered a well earned reputation for innovation and excellence.
Konica Minolta’s consultative approach was led by Allan Bates, business development manager, who explained: ‘We were convinced that the AccurioShine 3600 would be the perfect solution for Sketches Int, but we are always careful to make sure we match a potential customer with exactly the right solution for their needs and budget. Initially the company supplied us with some test artwork files so we could produce demonstration pieces which were then sent to Nizar and the team to assess.’
Allan continued, ‘Following that, Nizar visited our showroom in Sutton-in-Ashfield for the first of several hands on demonstrations of the AccurioShine 3600, to test various substrates and B3 media, which included labels that are kiss cut out once printed and embellished on Intec B3 plotters, along with artwork setup and operators training.’
The AccurioShine 3600 is a fully digital and compact sized inkjet spot UV coater, that enables varnishing to be completed in-house, from prototyping to full production, without the need for screens, plates or dies. It utilises groundbreaking technology for adding 2D and 3D multiple coating and dimensional texture effects in a single pass, with a maximum supported paper size of B3+ (364 x 750 mm). Combine its support for variable data printing with the iFoilOne in line hot foil stamping module, and a wide range of new high impact finishing effects become possible, such as personalised embossed foil for tickets, packages and labels, invitations, one to one marketing and more.
Nizar further commented, ‘Our customers are also happy with our increased options for 3D UV and foil products, along with now being able to offer greater flexibility to their needs. On top of this, being able to offer these options from our in-house production line enables us to save 30% on the costs compared to our competitors, which makes us even more competitive than before!’
With an enhanced range of potential spot UV and foil products (including labels, packing, and cards) Sketches Int is looking to further expand its business, both in terms of its own team/resources and to target new markets. Nizar stated, ‘We are now in an even better position to service customers from across the UK and Europe and are also looking to expand into the North American market as well. This is an important investment for our business, we can now easily do short run jobs and be more flexible than our competitors, which is essential in a demanding and evolving market.’
Comments