KBA North America, a leading supplier of sheetfed offset and digital presses based in Williston, VT, has announced that PacBlue Digital Imaging Inc., a total digital production facility based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has added a KBA 74 Karat digital offset press in May 2006 to its arsenal of digital equipment. “In our business, we’re fast and furious,” says Jonathan Colley, president of PacBlue. “The KBA 74 Karat fits with our workflow and will help us meet the needs of our customers who require higher volume and higher quality work in a larger format than we have now. The KBA 74 Karat is a natural fit for us; it’s not a traditional offset press; we’re not patient enough for that technology! The KBA 74 Karat press is digital and allows us to offer a new pricing module and attractive fast makeready features.” Investigation points to 74 Karat While PacBlue is equipped with a vast array of digital printers, the firm found itself outsourcing certain jobs in the 20 x 28-inch format. Colley spent a lot of time investigating the different presses available on the market before choosing the 74 Karat. The new KBA press perfectly compliments the existing toner based iGen3 digital production printer in use at PacBlue. The 74 Karat 29-inch digital offset press produces waterless print quality and consistent colour on a variety of paper media as well as substrates such as onionskin, board, plastics and canvas. The Karat features the unique Gravuflow inking system. Combined with a Creo direct imaging system, the 74 Karat offers a quick makeready of around 15 minutes from approved-sheet to approved-sheet, low waste of less than 10 sheets and ease of use. New substrates, press proofs PacBlue plans to use the 74 Karat to open new doors for itself and its clients. “We’re always testing new media,” says Karen Fox, Sales and Marketing Manager. “We have a PacBlue media list of stocks and substrates we have tested and approved. We’re anxious to try new substrates on the 74 Karat, such as canvas. We’re also planning to use the 74 Karat to produce press proofs on the client’s final substrate to show them their exact job. This is a fantastic new use of the press and a great opportunity for our clients and our company.” Over the years the firm has grown quickly from its blueprinting heritage. Today the firm produces small-format colour digital print runs and unique projects like decals, labels, and catalogue covers to large projects like vehicle graphics and grand format backlit signage. A tremendous volume of work is still derived from architects, developers and site planners who require architectural and engineering drawings. Complimenting the architectural and engineering work is the glossy colour reproduction of condo and retail building developments, signage and promotion work as well as the tradeshow market for such material as display units and banner stands. True to its nature, PacBlue will relentlessly market the new 74 Karat press to its customers. Planned for the beginning of September PacBlue will hold a one-day event, jointly sponsored by KBA and Oce, in which clients and potential customers will be able to see up-close and first-hand the new machines installed at the firm. PacBlue will also be sending out postcards to its clients to market the new KBA press. Client appreciation days “Our clients know that we are an ever-evolving firm,” says Fox. “Every 2 years we host a client appreciation day with a theme party atmosphere to showcase our new equipment, increase awareness and intermingle with our customers. These events give our customers the opportunity to know us better and to embrace our new technology while allowing us to show them our personal touch.” For nearly 65 years this firm was known in Vancouver as a small family owned reprographic shop producing blueprints for the architectural and engineering industry. About thirteen years ago Jonathan Colley purchased the business and gradually moved it into three distinct areas: architectural and engineering printing, signage and promotion, and commercial printing for financial firms, ad agencies, and designers. The firm houses production equipment which includes: wide-format photographic colour, inkjet, xerographic, UV-based and solvent-based machines and bindery equipment in 22,000 sq ft of space in a beautiful glass-enclosed building in Vancouver. PacBlue provides seven delivery vehicles to better service their customers.