HANOVER PARK, Ill., February 14, 2003 — “The second mouse gets the cheese!” offers Todd Tiefenthaler, president and owner of West Port, Wis.-based Kramer Printing, as a fitting description of his company’s transition to CTP. “We don’t invest in new technology until we’re sure it works,” states Tiefenthaler. “Once the bugs were worked out of computer-to-plate, we went with a Fuji system. We’ve been a Fujifilm consumables customer for 15 years, and you can’t beat Fuji plates. We figured Fuji’s thermal plate/platesetter team was the way to go with CTP.” After looking at all major manufacturers’ brands, Tiefenthaler says he selected the Fujifilm Dart Luxel T-6000 for some obvious and not-so obvious reasons. - The time was right to buy. Lessons learned from “first mouse” CTP systems lead to the development of second-generation technology like the Dart, explains Tiefenthaler. “We installed a Fuji PictroProof a year earlier, so our customers had already embraced digital technology. When we went direct-to-plate, we got the system up and running in just a few days, with very few glitches. The Dart immediately started producing great plates.” - The technology had proven itself. The question was which CTP system to buy. “We had reps come in from all over and saw all the various equipment. Then, we had our pressmen, prepress staff and even the sales reps check it out. We wanted everyone’s input,” says Tiefenthaler. “The Dart is incredibly efficient. And, it’s fast! Since installing it, our makeready time has improved dramatically. Plus, the Dart’s accuracy is phenomenal. The plates fit perfectly every time.” - The manufacturer-printer-customer relationship is important. “Fuji has always provided us with good service. We have a very good relationship with them,” acknowledges Tiefenthaler, “As our consumables supplier, Fuji has been working with us for years. The folks from Fuji are terrific, hands-on people. They know the equipment and are always there if you need them. And, they’re nice to work with, too. We’ve enjoy our partnership with Fuji and benefited from the relationship over the years.” Tiefenthaler emphasizes the importance of close business relationships — with both suppliers and clients. “We don’t just sell a job, we establish a relationship with our customer. We sell a solution, a total package, that will fill a void. We discover those voids by talking with a customer, and getting to know them and their business,” he maintains. “This approach, selling a relationship and ourselves as a company, has been very successful for us. Of course, part of that success has been due to our technological prowess.” Those high-tech capabilities have been razor-sharpened with the addition of CTP. Tiefenthaler says the company recently did a 400-page, perfect-bound book. “It had tabs and random color, and it was totally accurate. It lined up perfectly. The customer loved it. And, it flew through here!” As another example of the turnaround speed afforded by CTP, Tiefenthaler points to one of Kramer Printing’s routine short-run jobs. “We’ll get an order in the morning for 1,000 four-color sheets. Plates are made that afternoon, it runs that night, and we deliver it the next day. Customers love it!” From sell sheets to annual reports, Tiefenthaler credits CTP as being instrumental in positioning his $5 million company for future growth. “We’re a high-end, high-volume commercial printer, and we continually invest in high-tech equipment to provide the highest quality. But, when it comes to jumping into new technology, it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese,” Tiefenthaler concludes. “We waited for next-generation CTP. Now, that our new Fujifilm system is up and running, we’re happy to report, it was worth the wait!”