The University of North Texas has a new RYOBI 6-up multicolor offset printing press and a modern new proofing system from xpedx that will allow the university to keep the majority of its printing needs in-house, providing the quality and customer support UNT Printing and Distribution Solutions has become known for across campus.

The new equipment was necessary as good deal of work was being sent to outside vendors because the university’s two-color presses weren’t capable of handling the increasing amount of high-volume four-color work that university departments needed, according to Jimmy Friend, director of UNT Printing and Distribution Solutions.

“The new equipment allows us to keep production of more of our publications, student recruitment and donor solicitation materials in-house,” Friend said. “For example, currently we’ve got a 32-page magazine with cover on the press that we could not have produced with our old equipment. “

UNT Printing and Distribution Solutions, located on the main campus in Denton, just north of Dallas, is a nationally recognized in-plant, with 38 separate regional and national print awards in its trophy cabinet.  Following an exhaustive review of five 6-up presses, the choice came down to the RYOBI 755xlw 5-color 23x29-inch press with coater from xpedx.  

“As a publicly funded institution, we have an obligation to find the absolute best value for every single dollar we spend,” explained Friend.  “The RYOBI 755 was equipped with exactly the features we needed.”

In addition, following a detailed review of their current and long-range needs, xpedx also helped UNT apply for G7 color calibration and print process certification from IDEAlliance.  As part of the equipment services agreement, xpedx also supplied UNT with an Epson Stylus Pro 7900 with spectrophotometer, driven by an EFI Colorproof XF color management system.

Through a bid process, the university acquired a RYOBI 3304 DI press in March 2010 and the 5-color press in July 2010.  This represented a modernization of the university’s offset press capabilities.

“The Ryobi DI, of course, met the need of the mid-range jobs between the HP Indigo and long-run jobs. But we couldn’t do those longer-run jobs on our old 2-color 40-inch press.” Friend said the university now is able to produce 10,000- to 70,000-piece runs with the RYOBI 755 with coater.  

The sale was handled by Dallas-based xpedx representatives W. Scott Brown (offset press specialist) and David Iley (pre-press and graphics specialist).  G7 certification process was coordinated through IDEAlliance by Scott Dunlap of xpedx Cleveland and a national team of xpedx graphics specialists.

About the UNT Printing and Distribution

Serving the University of North Texas campus community for more than 85 years, UNT Printing and Distribution Solutions is recognized as a high-quality printing and mailing provider for its campus community.  In partnership with its clients, employees and suppliers, PDS employs environmentally sustainable resources and more efficient technologies in the delivery of printing and mailing work products and services.  Through its commitment to excellence and quality improvement, UNT Printing and Distribution Solutions is a national leader among in-plant print and mailing operations.  University of North Texas is one of the state’s largest universities with more than 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students.