"Removing chemicals from the platemaking process was important to us."
So says Paul Postlethwaite, Technical Director at Kall Kwik Cambridge, which purchased a Glunz & Jensen PlateWriter 2000 from Fingerprint Digital in Suffolk in 2010.

"Prior to that we owned a HighWater Platinum Platesetter," he recalls. "With our plate usage the chemistry was a burden and regularly cleaning the processor was a chore that nobody enjoyed. We always got the chemistry collected for recycling, which added storage and cost."

The investment in Glunz & Jensen's eco-friendly iCtP technology was welcomed by Kall Kwik's customers.

"We do work for some ecologically aware charities and from that respect the reduction in chemistry was a desirable outcome. We produce mailshots, Christmas cards, brochures and flyers for them."

He adds: "It's reasonably consistent, which is nice and we can produce good work with it. It takes up half the space of our old system and it doesn't need to be in a safe light area. In fact, since installing the PlateWriter, it has allowed us to transform our old dark room into our paper store.

"It suits those who have a moderately low plate usage. It's a good product for its niche."

Founded in December 1983 Kall Kwik Cambridge employs 11 staff and looks after hundreds of customers. It owns an Itek 3985 two-colour press, a Shinohara 52 IVP four-colour perfecting press as well as Konica Minolta and Xerox digital presses. John Davidson, Director of Fingerprint, says:

"While part of an instant print chain, Kall Kwik Cambridge aims to provide a 'print on demand' service but has nevertheless always set their standards very high in terms of quality. They have also been very enthusiastic about the litho print element of their business, replacing presses and platemaking equipment as and when new technologies become available for improved quality and efficiency/automation.

"The Glunz and Jenson PlateWriter 2000 was therefore a very appropriate replacement for their old HighWater system. It reduced in-house maintenance considerably as well as the area needed for the equipment."