MAN Roland’s extra-extra large press is about to go extra-extra long at the Los Angeles production facilities of branding image leader Schawk. The company is set to install the world’s first 8-color-plus-coater version of the ROLAND 900 XXL, a 73-inch press that is scheduled to be up and running with the start of 2007. Schawk specializes in two markets: packaging and advertising. And the array of services it delivers to those businesses is quite extensive, ranging from brand consultation and design to prepress and fulfillment, and from complete digital solutions to fully integrated print production. So the flexibility the ROLAND 900 XXL provides was a major factor in Schawk selecting the press. High-quality books for car manufacturers, in-store retail signage and outdoor advertising for blockbuster movies will top the ROLAND 900’s list of assignments at Schawk. The Big Picture The press’ 73-inch format makes it ideal for billboard and bus shelter work. Carl Taylor, Managing Director of Schawk’s LA facility sees the outdoor market heating up in terms of increased media buys. He also envisions the print quality and production speed of the ROLAND 900 XXL as helping him serve the growing segment. “With bus shelters, the work is physically closer to the viewer,” he ways. “That requires the highest print quality. And movie industry campaigns are very time sensitive. The consolidated workflow we’ll realize with the ROLAND 900 XXL reduces manufacturing, which translates to an increase in speed-to-market.” Part of that consolidation involves matching up press configurations at Schawk. The company currently runs two 8-color 40” presses to produce marketing collateral and two 77” presses to produce outdoor advertising. That requires converting the original 8-color designs to 6-color for billboard and bus shelter work. With the new ROLAND 900 XXL, the impact of 8-color printing will be extended to the larger pieces. Asked for other reasons why Schawk selected the ROLAND 900 XXL, Taylor describes MAN Roland as “a proven industry leader.” He continues: “The ROLAND 900 XXL is the right size and the right technology for Schawk. This press matches the current trend in offset litho to the short run, high quality markets we serve.” Stock Exchange Substrate versatility is a related matter. The ROLAND 900 XXL can print on virtually any stock from corrugated to plastic film. “Our clients, which include fast food, movie entertainment, and retail stores are constantly looking for the latest offerings in substrates to make their brand more compelling,” Taylor says. “The MAN Roland press allows us to provide that to them. “ The high print quality the ROLAND 900 XXL delivers is another necessity for Schawk, according to Taylor. “In today’s consumer environment signage, marketing materials, and packaging convey the essential brand identity. Designers use their skills and talents to build a message to a target audience and it is our role to ensure the design is reproduced as intended.” Schawk’s LA facility can best be described as massive, encompassing 105,000 square feet and operating 6 days a week, 24 hours a day. A roster of 235 employees serves Schawk clients throughout the U.S. Their new ROLAND 900 XXL — the third extra-extra-large model to be purchased in the LA area — will add to Schawk’s printing capabilities and their printing capacity.