Hudson, NH - Presstek, Inc., a leading supplier of digital offset printing solutions to the printing and communications industries, today reported that Verdant Graphics of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has installed a Presstek 52DI digital offset press, a Presstek DPM400 Pro platesetter and Presstek Latitude workflow in a start-up operation employing 9 people. Founded by entrepreneur Don Kallil, Verdant Graphics' primary customer is Design Design, also owned and operated by Kallil. Design Design, founded in 1987, designs, produces, manufactures and distributes items such as greeting cards, invitations, laser paper, notepads and other stationery and gift items, wholesaling these items to more than 12,000 retail doors ranging from Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy's to independent stationers and gift shops.

"As the amount of printing we were outsourcing grew," said Kallil, "we decided to investigate opening our own printing operation. Verdant Graphics is the result, and it is proving itself to have been a good decision. There has been so much work that we are just about to begin operating a second shift."

After visiting Print 09 to investigate his options first-hand, Kallil decided to acquire a Presstek 52DI digital offset press as the centerpiece for his new operation. In addition, he purchased two 2-color Ryobi 3302 conventional offset presses and a 2-color Heidelberg Quickmaster, supported by a Presstek DPM400 Pro polyester CTP system for platemaking. In addition to high quality four-color printing, Verdant Graphics offers thermography, foil stamping, die cutting, glittering, folding, cutting, collating and stitching. Verdant Graphics uses Presstek's Latitude workflow to automate their prepress workflow, including imposition, making the process simple and streamlined.

Kallil explains that there were two key drivers in his decision to purchase a Presstek 52DI press. "First," he says, "I wanted to work with a company I felt I could rely upon. The people from Presstek were quality people, really straightforward and honest to work with, and gave me the feeling that they would be there to support us after the sale. Those observations have proven to be true. People buy from people, and that was a key criterion for me. Second, I liked the technology. I personally feel it is the wave of the future in printing. It allows us to do shorter runs, which was very appealing to me. The quality is excellent, and it is environmentally appealing as well."

"It is exciting to see a new printing business starting up so successfully in what many have found to be a challenging economic environment," said Mark Levin, President of Presstek Americas. "Don sees his lack of a printing background as an advantage in starting up a new operation and being able to structure it to be profitable today, yet scalable to tomorrow's needs."

Once Kallil has a second shift up and running, he plans to begin offering commercial printing services to his community, as well as services to the trade. "We believe we can find a good customer base because of the quality we offer with the Presstek 52DI press, the speed of turnaround and the ability to deliver cost-effective short runs," Kallil adds. "Our unique finishing capabilities will also be a plus as we move to expand our customer base."