LONDON, Digital Print World, October 26, 2004 – NexPress Solutions, Inc., a Kodak company, announces the first installation of a KODAK DIGIMASTER E150 digital production system in the UK at Henry Ling Ltd. Over the past 140 years, Henry Ling Ltd, a Dorchester-based printer, has built a reputation for their print expertise in academic journals and books. Their prestigious client list includes the Royal Society of Medicine, the British Museum, and publishers such as Blackwell, Taylor and Francis, and John Wiley. But the firm’s approach to technology is dynamically modern and innovative — as evidenced by their distinction of being the first UK firm to install the new KODAK DIGIMASTER E150 system. The modular digital black and white press has already exceeded their expectations. “We’re not afraid to be innovative,” states Helen Kennett, head of manufacturing at Henry Ling. “The DIGIMASTER E150 press is a new machine but it has established technology and engineering. We didn’t see it as a gamble purchase.” Henry Ling was an early adopter of CtP back in 1995 and the firm makes continual investments in advanced technology, to the sum of about £1m per year. Kennett explains that it was the need-for-speed which promoted the acquisition of the E150. Henry Ling produces an average of 400 journals a year, typically low-run jobs, and their demanding clients require very high quality. “We needed a second mono machine and at 150 sheets per minute, the DIGIMASTER system provided us with strong increased capacity,” Kennett said. The E150’s ability to print onto litho stocks, as well as a range of substrate weights and thickness’ — up to 266 g/m - caliper up to .25 mm (10 pt.) — was another key feature. Henry Ling continues to expand their offset services but believes that digital capabilities provide a strong complement to their offerings. “We actually think there is an advantage to both offset and digital,” remarks Kennett. “However there is an increasing digital market and we can see the benefits of full automation.” The new DIGIMASTER E150 system has delivered a decided advantage for production speed and flexibility. This in turn is driving new service offerings and a significant increase in new customers. “We have acquired new business on the strength of our digital department,” affirms Helen Kennett. “Different types of clients are also coming our way — design agencies for example.” Keith Atkins at D2, Henry Ling’s rapidly expanding digital print division, is quite candid about his delight with the speediness of the new E150. “It’s the fastest machine I have ever seen at this level” Atkins asserts. He has already taken advantage of the DIGIMASTER E150 system’s extra modules, adding an extra paper supply module on the front, with a post fuser inserter and booklet maker at the end. Atkins was also impressed that the E150 seamlessly integrated into their existing workflow. “The software is easy to understand and is user-friendly,” he says. For multi-process jobs, like manuals for car manufacturers, the DIGIMASTER E150 press is a dependable workhorse. The manual’s coloured covers are placed in the inserter and then the DIGIMASTER E150 press takes over: “We check the configuration and then off it goes — the E150 does the rest,” states Atkins. The DIGIMASTER E150 system’s Digital Print Quality Adjust feature enables operators to vary line width and solid area density to achieve the look they desire — whether to match the output of competitive devices or to enhance the image’s appearance. The adjustment is made in real time and post RIP. Henry Ling’s digital competence has inspired the firm to confidently seek new and specialized markets, such as high quality personalized books. “Our challenge is to take advantage of our latest technology and to grow our digital production offerings,” concludes Helen Kennett.