KENNESAW, Ga. -- Bartel Printing, Warsaw, Ind. has vastly streamlined its workflow with the recent addition of a Heidelberg 2-color Printmaster GTO 52 perfector and computer-to-plate (CtP) workflow anchored by a Heidelberg Suprasetter A52 with Meta Dimension RIP. Completed in December 2008, the installations already have shown the company the multiple benefits of its transition from a film-based to an all-digital workflow.
 
“Prepress without film is a great timesaver, said company Vice President Murray Bartel. “Our set-up times are much shorter, and the speed and accuracy of the digital workflow is fantastic.” The new Printmaster  GTO 52 perfector, which replaces the company’s aging Heidelberg GTO, has already justified Bartel’s investment in terms of capacity and efficiency, Bartel said. “We run a lot of single-color, two-sided jobs. With the new Printmaster 52, we’ve cut our run times in half and now can handle many more jobs in a shorter period of time.”  Those initial results are likely to improve over time as the company updates its customer files to run on the new machine, Bartel added, but “Right now, we’re still in the learning stages.” While the company handles primarily short runs of 10,000 and under, plans call for Bartel to begin to handle longer run lengths (20,000-50,000) with the aid of its sleek new Heidelberg machine. The company uses all-Heidelberg blankets and currently is transitioning to Saphira inks for use with the new press. Things run faster and more smoothly in Bartel’s bindery, too, since the company updated its postpress lineup with a Stahl B 20 folder with flat pile feeder with right angle unit. It also operates a pair of POLAR 92X and 92 XT guillotine cutters, a Eurobind 1200 perfect binder and a 10x15” Windmill letterpress, and is currently evaluating the addition of a Heidelberg Speedbander.
 
Established in 1970 and employing a staff of five, Bartel provides commercially printed products to a local clientele, including a number or orthopedic manufacturers and suppliers concentrated in the area. It’s a promising niche for an enterprising business like Bartel, whose relationship with Heidelberg dates back to the late 70s. “We try to do our homework and develop a sound strategic plan for investment,” Bartel said. “Heidelberg has always been there for us. When we need to step up our technology with the best quality equipment, Heidelberg always seems to have what we are looking for. The value we receive from the investment is clear. We are almost a complete Heidelberg shop, and all our employees love the equipment they get to work on. It always makes the work day better when you know you can count on the equipment you are using.”