Swiss print enterprise Druckstoff in Horw, in the canton of Lucerne, was launched last summer with an attractive business model powered by the installation of the first Genius 52UV in Switzerland. The waterless press is ideal for printing new, unusual products on substrates that are often beyond the capabilities of conventional offset presses. These include diverse plastics and paper with a non-absorbent surface.

In the Genius, UV inks harden in the delivery. As a result it can even print sensitive substrates such as PVC, ABS, PET, PS and PC cost-effectively.

Raising profile with premium products

The driving forces at Druckstoff are Peter Glanzmann, Stefan Scalet and Beat Vogel. Stefan Scalet says: “Our skill and inspiration in pursuing new business lines have convinced us that there is far too little diversification in the marketplace in respect of everyday printed products. We are therefore specifically on the lookout for niche products made of synthetics, metal, wood or cartonboard, with the main focus on premium-quality, beautifully finished promotional and packaging goods. With the first Genius 52UV to be installed in Switzerland we are able to deliver top-quality prints at competitive prices. We are also able to achieve some special effects that were previously impossible.”

Conserving the environment by using sustainable resources and recycled substrates ranks high on their list of priorities. The waterless Genius 52UV dispenses with isopropyl alcohol and the other stabilisers which in conventional offset are normally added to the fount solution. Its keyless inking system means that emission levels are exceptionally low.

Druckstoff sees itself as a purveyor of ideas for unusual types of packaging and products, and creative designers from the advertising industry are on hand to offer guidance and support to the UV press operators. The company’s products are heavily promoted to establish them in the marketplace. Says Stefan Scalet: “We provide our customers with products that are out of the ordinary, for example with haptic properties to stimulate the user’s sense of touch. Our products attract the eye while at the same time projecting the customer’s corporate image – that is a key function of the advertising business today. Among other things they can include 3-D or flip-flop images on special lenticular film. We also use environmentally friendly products such as wood veneers and organic resources that can be processed to create unusual substrates. Examples of these are loyalty cards and stickers which are non-polluting even when disposed of as waste. The office supplies we can print on the Genius 52UV include mousepads, transparent sleeves and document cases with personalised corporate advertising, tablemats, mobile phone cases, desk mats, smart pocket diaries, rulers and so on. There is also a big demand in the catering, hotel and manufacturing industries for durable, waterproof products. Examples of these are door hangers, restaurant menus, printed die-cutting components, wipe-clean labels, tags and signs, and magnetic foils and adhesive films that can be applied to smooth surfaces without using glue.”

Scalet continues: “We are confident that our customers consider us a competent provider of products that meet their specific needs. This is because we are a one-stop shop for both design and manufacture. We see ourselves as a creative ‘forge’ for substrates of exceptionally high quality.”

Waterless UV delivers raft of benefits
An anilox screen roller in each of the Genius 52UV’s five inking units ensures that the image is inked 100 per cent uniformly. Semi-automatic plate changing reduces job changeovers to just a few minutes with run-up to saleable colour in as little as ten sheets. The press can handle substrates measuring 360 x 520mm (14.17 x 20.47in) and up to 0.8mm thick (32pt). UV curing allows the sheets to be turned and printed on the reverse side andr die-cut, scored, folded, embossed or trimmed immediately after impression.

The Swiss company is delighted with the high-speed job changes and the outstanding quality delivered by its Genius 52UV. “We trawled the press market but were unable to find any other press with the same level of versatility and ability to print such a broad range of substrates as the Genius 52UV,” says Peter Glanzmann.