Hillside, Illinois — Winner of PIA Premier Print Awards for three years running, suburban Chicago printer Darwill is gearing up to capture more honors, and more customers, with the addition of a third ROLAND 700 press to its sheetfed pressroom. The 41-inch MAN Roland machine is a six-color model, complete with in-line coating and UV capabilities. Darwill President Howard Van Dyke says the new press will help his company step-up the business-building momentum that its award-winning performance is powering. “We have always taken pride in the quality of work and feel that MAN Roland presses print better than the rest,” he says. “The awards give us credibility with our customers and prospects. Every printer today is boasting to be a ‘quality printer.’ Our Benny awards give us the credentials to support our quality claims.” An Integrated Supplier Describing itself as “an integrated supplier of print, direct mail and fulfillment,” Darwill is also using the new technology to sharpen its competitive edge. “Cutting cost is key to staying competitive in the print market today,” Van Dyke says. “The automation that the 700s provide and the way they link to our prepress department are key components for saving time and money to stay competitive.” Operating from a 60,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility, Darwill has been in business for over a half century, so it knows the importance of selecting equipment that it can count on over the long haul. “For the last several years we have been dependent on two MAN Roland presses for a majority of our work,” Van Dyke declares. “They run around the clock five-to-six days a week with incredible reliability. Reliable equipment is vital to efficient manufacturing, and MAN Roland is the logical choice when it comes to dependability.” The company’s new 700 will also help Darwill expand into new markets. The press is equipped to apply UV coatings, allowing the company to go after point of sale (POS) work with an eye-catching plus. The high gloss finish of UV is also expected to be a client pleaser for Darwill’s publication customers for whom the printer produces both weekly and monthly periodicals. “More companies like the UV look on the front covers of their publications,” Van Dyke explains. “We hope to further expand into the publication market, thanks to this new feature.” The 700’s ability to print on all kinds of substrates up to 40 pt., combined with its UV coating capabilities, will also expand Darwill’s list of offerings. Non-secure cards are among the new products the company is contemplating. “We currently dabble in plastics but are limited in what we can do without UV,” Van Dyke says. “The new 700 will remove those restraints.” printnet and PECOM Darwill purchased the advanced PECOM system in conjunction with its new 700. The pressroom module of MAN Roland’s printnet digital backbone, PECOM will enable the printer to network all three of its MAN Roland presses. That will provide additional production flexibility. Van Dyke also sees PECOM as a money saver and an analytical tool: “The PECOM system will provide us with further automation and reporting, which will supply us with valuable information to help cut costs.” Another connection is in the works between PECOM and Darwill’s PSI management information system to create a fully integrated workflow. “We are excited about the technologies that are being released and believe this integration is an important piece to creating efficiencies in our production stream, while generating pertinent information for our staff and our clients.” According to Van Dyke, the company makes sure the feedback from its customers is ultimately positive: “They are very happy with our quality, customer service, versatility and turnaround.” Darwill also keeps its clients in the know. The company offers complimentary one-on-one and group training to its customers, covering such topics as file preparation and transport; specialty printing techniques, including hexachrome and FM screening; color management and calibration; and remote proofing. “When they see what is possible with hexachrome, stochastic, and special coating techniques, it gives them ideas on how to enhance their communications,” Van Dyke observes. On the other side of the coin, Darwill intends to take advantage of the training MAN Roland offers with its new installations: “The training is not yet started, although the installation is ahead of schedule. But, in the past the training has been exceptional.” Van Dyke, meanwhile, plans to educate his marketplace regarding the new opportunities the ROLAND 700 will provide: “We will be marketing our enhanced capabilities of UV through direct mail and our sales channel. We are also going to have an open house in May.”