Stones the Printers, part of the bgp group, has announced that it has invested in a Heidelberg 12 colour press with Cutstar plus an Autobond Laminator as part of its continued growth and improvement.

The installation of the new 12 colour press with Cutstar will enable Banbury-based Stones to produce six-colour commercial work along with magazine covers, providing greater efficiency and a wider range of offerings to its print production facilities.

At the same time the new Autobond Laminator, which provides both Gloss and Matt laminating along with spot UV varnishing options already in place will complete Stones’ in-house finishing facilities.

Further investment has also been made with the addition of a Kodak Magnus 800 Platesetter, which will enable Stones to produce around 40 plates per hour. The Magnus 800 is an 8-page Computer-to-Plate (CTP) device which provides exceptional productivity and efficiency for commercial printers.

Commenting on the new equipment investment, Stones Managing Director, Steve Palmer, said, “The installation of this new equipment forms part of Stones’ programme of successful investment and improvement, and dovetails with the expansion that has been happening at parent company bgp’s Bicester plant.”

He added, “This clearly puts both Stones and the bgp group in a strong position for 2012 in terms of service offerings to the industry.”