KBA North America, a leading sheetfed offset press manufacturer based in Williston, VT, has installed a KBA 74 Karat Digital Offset Press at Solzer Studios, a Solzer and Hail company. Solzer Studios is a leading graphic services company based in San Francisco. The firm took possession of the new press in June 2004. "One of our major objectives was to find a solution that would streamline our clients' processes and meet their objectives for reduced costs, reduced time-to-market, consistent representation of brand assets across media, and effective process management," says Jochen Wenzel, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Solzer Studios. "By installing the KBA 74 Karat Digital Offset Press, we have met that objective." There were many qualities that sealed the decision for Solzer to purchase the KBA Karat. The 74 Karat's sheet size of 20 x 29" was a major factor in Solzer's decision-making. He looked at other press manufacturers who had smaller press sizes but felt the Karat offered the most flexibility with its size and additionally its concept. Its one-man operation was a major benefit. Its ability to print on a variety of substrates, such as onionskin, paper, board, plastics, lenticular, and vinyl, was a selling point. And the speed and fast make-ready of the 74 Karat were major advantages to his clientele. "I can print up to 10,000 brilliant sheets per hour," exclaims Solzer, "and my make-ready takes less than 10 sheets." Solzer is also impressed with the Karat's ability to print high-quality brilliant reproducible color over and over again. "By being able to print the same high-quality at different times, we will be able to help our clients minimize their warehousing and reduce waste," says Solzer. "For example, a financial client needs sell and data sheets. We will be able to print those sheets on the Karat on-demand for different offices throughout the country with fast turnaround. We'll be able to reduce their warehouse costs because they won't need to warehouse large orders of sheets and we'll be able to eliminate waste because we'll be able to print up-to-date sheets." After visiting KBA's plant in Radebeul, Germany, Solzer was impressed with KBA's production method. "KBA assigns one team to build and install their press," he says. "The Karat is built with one team and that empowers the group to do the best job possible. I believe in that strategy." Solzer already has big plans to market the new press. "KBA has given us samples from the 74 Karat for our sales force to distribute to our customers to show its high quality and brilliant color," says Solzer. "In August, we plan to send out a postcard mailing to market the new press and we plan to run advertising with Printing Industries of Northern California (PINC). By the end of September, we're planning an open house to show-off the Karat's lenticular technology and our complete digital workflow from digital proofing, to large format printing, to short-run offset printing, and fulfillment services." Solzer Studios was established in 1966 by Wolfgang Solzer as a topflight prepress service bureau for local agencies and corporate clients. Known then as Solzer & Hail, the company quickly grew to become one of San Francisco's leading graphic service providers. In 2003, the firm's visionary approach to technology elevated the firm to new heights of quality, productivity, and service. The company was renamed Solzer Studios, an end-to-end service partner offering complete graphic production solutions from digital photography to digital offset printing and fulfillment services. Today the 30-employee company occupies 25,000 sq ft of space with separate studios for digital photography, prepress, large format, and its new digital print studio with the KBA 74 Karat press. Solzer Studios prides itself on meeting customer quality expectations and increasingly aggressive deadlines for all possible print applications from corporate collateral to packaging. Please find a downloadable version of this PR including photos at:http://www.kba-print.de/vt/headlines/digital2/0408-034_solzer_studio.html