Drumming up business with the slogan "We print the impossible" demands not only total self-confidence but also a high level of competence. Verona-based Italian printer Artegrafica demonstrated this just a few weeks after Ipex when it fired up the six-colour Rapida 106 that KBA had promoted at the show as the makeready world champion, and underscored with flying job changes. The press rounds off an investment package with which Artegrafica has laid the foundations for achieving ambitious quality and productivity goals.
 
The highly automated press, which is configured with a coater and an array of automation modules that were also put through their paces in Birmingham, was delivered to the Via della Meccanica at the end of June and went live a few weeks later.

"Fantastic deal"

With plenty of other printers showing keen interest in a press whose performance made a big impact on trade visitors at the show, Artegrafica president Antonio Faccin is delighted that he was able to secure the contract: "We were under enormous pressure because we wanted to take advantage of government-granted tax credits that were about to expire. At the same time we wanted to uphold the corporate philosophy we have pursued since the company was founded: making quality and innovation our topmost priorities when investing in new kit. We are confident that the new Rapida 106's fantastic capabilities will decisively enhance productivity, quality and customer service."

Quality a trademark

Since being founded in 1976 Artegrafica has built up a reputation in Italy and beyond for exquisitely produced books and catalogues. In 1998 it became part of the Graphicom group (Vicenza) and in alliance with a bindery operation, Legatoria Camisana, boasts a portfolio of products that are highly valued by well-known publishing houses, famous art galleries, museums and ad agencies.

Artegrafica's rigorous quality mindset has defined its success at every stage of its development. Antonio Faccin says: "Innovativeness, reliability and timeliness are the core principles that have enabled us to win our customers' trust. Our objective is to strengthen this trust still further with highly advanced equipment."
 
Confidence in cutting-edge technology

Artegrafica's association with KBA is founded on previous successful installations: the company's production halls already house three five-colour KBA Rapida 162a large-format presses and a six-colour Rapida 105 medium-format press installed in 2001.

Antonio Faccin has no doubts as to the wisdom of his decision: "We have been delighted with the performance of our KBA presses over the years, and at Ipex we took the opportunity to express our satisfaction by awarding a further contract."

He continues: "The 106 represents the cutting edge in medium-format technology. Alongside ultra-short makereadies and an output of 18,000 sheets per hour what most impressed us were its DriveTronic SPC dedicated drives for simultaneous plate change, QualiTronic Professional inline colour measurement and control plus DensiTronic Professional online density and spectral imaging control. These highly efficient systems guarantee our customers immaculate prints and reprints."
 
Formula 1 performance – and training to match

While the large-format Rapida 162a is mainly used for jobs of 15,000 sheets or more, the new Rapida 106 starts being cost-effective at well below 5,000 sheets. Says Antonio Faccin: "Our press operators were given intensive training by an instructor from Germany to ensure that they can exploit the high-tech Rapida's full potential. A second training course is scheduled for November. The new 106 is a major technological milestone in Artegrafica's development, and one we shall profit from well into the future."