Tuebingen - Exeter labels and packaging specialist James Townsend has launched its inhouse prepress department as a separate reprographics company called Think Repro as part of its expansion plans. It has also installed a Roland VersaUV LEC-330 which, linked to its GMG colour management workflow, enables it to offer colour accurate proofs on any substrate.

"We have been using several GMG products for some time, including ColorProof, InkOptimizer and PrintControl," says prepress manager Kristian Wells. "We are very happy with the performance of all the products, so when it came to looking at new proofing equipment, it was vital for us that GMG was driving the front end."

James Townsend already had a Digital Cromalin system, which is capable of producing a white ink using toner, but Wells felt that this did not give enough control and that each proof worked out to be time consuming and expensive. "We needed a cost effective solution that was simple to use, an inkjet proofer that was able to print white ink and to cope with all our material, including clear film and metallic substrates," he says.

More than two years ago the company had started looking at the Roland VersaUV LEC-300 and saw that it had great potential due to its use of white ink and its onboard cutter. However, Wells felt it lacked the level of colour management essential for the calibre of work required in the highly competitive packaging sector. "We pushed for Roland to speak to GMG and come up with a viable solution," he explains. "We were delighted when GMG announced that it was finally able to drive the LEC directly. We made the purchase soon after."

GMG ColorProof is based on Adobe PDF Print Engine technology which achieves identical colour output as if on any Adobe-based RIP. Its ProofStandard and CalibrationSet technology avoids the output of incorrect proofing jobs on printers and papers that cannot achieve the reproduction of certain printing standards. Therefore the customer can be assured that the proof will match the final printed product.

Think Repro specialises in artwork, proofing and the production of prototypes for the packaging industry. This move confirms James Townsend's commitment to developing the company into the best it can be and therefore provide its customers with  the level of quality and service they have come to rely on. To meet those demands, Think Repro itself demands the best from its technology and uses the highest quality from digital artwork to plate.