Fetter Printing is one of the top print firms in the South. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, Fetter Printing targets promotional print work, labels and fulfillment. Diane Ritter is responsible for marketing at Fetter.

Equipment at Fetter includes:

HEIDELBERG CD 8 LYL ( 8 COLOR PLUS TRIPLE TOWER
COATER PLUS EXTENDED DELIVERY)

HEIDELBERG CD 102-6+LX (6 COLOR PLUS COATER PLUS
EXTENDED DELIVERY)

TWO - HEIDELBERG 102S (6 COLOR)

HEIDELBERG MOZ-H (2 COLOR PLUS UV COATING)

HARRIS M-80 (5 COLOR) PERFECTING HEATSET WEB PRESS

KING NEWS WEB (2 UNIT PERFECTING WEB)

HEIDELBERG SPEEDMASTER 74 (2 COLOR) PERFECTOR

SEVERAL AB DICK'S, DIDDE WEB,OFF-LINE UV COATING, MILLER MAJOR, FOLDERS, CUTTERS, INSERTERS,ETC.

SUGANO NFS-1050 T DIE CUTTER-FOIL STAMPER

SCITEX 6240 AND 5240 DIGITAL IMAGERS WITH DRYERS

XEROX DOCUTECH'S

Diane, tell us about your niche markets and overall corporate structure.

Fetter has established niches promo printing, direct mail and cut labels. We are also seeing more POP (piont-of-purchase) applications and that is becoming a major focus for Fetter.

In terms of structure, we are a 100% employee owned company. Our employees take great pride in our products because of this fact. Later this year we hope to become ISO certified which will allow us more visibility in the region.

Have you purchased any equipment recently?

Our latest investment is a Heidelberg CD Press with a triple tower coater for in-line aqueous and UV coating. This press has really helped in our goal of printing more POP materials. We also have added an intelligent match system on one of our inserters to assist in the direct mail focus.

Being an Employee Owned company must help in selling to buyers as they know each person has a vested interest in quality. What other strategies do you use to keep expenses in line?

One important item is to have a good working relationship with approved vendors. This helps us provide a quality product at a reasonable price to our clients.

What is your take on the e-print space?

Many buyers are using the internet to find the lowest bid while others insist on quality over price. These buyers are finding ways to partner with printers that can meet the needs they have by taking advantage of this technology. It is better done under a relationship that already exists. We have checked out many vendors but I was not on the team looking at these solutions. Fetter uses Hagen OA which is owned by printCafe, but I am not sure of our overall plans.

What type of equipment do you have in your prepress area?

We use Kodak Approvals for computer-to-plate and compare the plates to a HP imposition proof before going to press. We use Dupont Approvals and Dylux proofs for film jobs.

We have many print buyers that subscribe here - any tips for them?

Clear written specifications are a must, especially in the bidding process so that all vendors are on the same page and you do not get something you didn’t expect. Also, involve your printers before the project is too far along. Share information about the end use and life of the printed piece - most vendors will have great advice if involved early in the process.

Beware of the lowest bid. Check your specifications and quality of the printer before signing up. Many buyers get what they pay for and everyone ends up unhappy.