Today’s demands for superior quality, performance, value and minimized downtime require a new level of comprehensive service. Southern Lithoplate, a trusted partner for digital plate systems, has launched its new SLP Solutions program. SLP Solutions offers one-call technical support, expert field service, proactive preventive maintenance and fast-turnaround replacement parts for a broad spectrum of customer requirements. 

“SLP Solutions brings a passionate, collaborative and innovative focus nurtured by years of prepress and printing technology know-how to bring timely and practical solutions to the most difficult challenges,” said Gary Blakeley, Director of Global Service and Technical Support. “Our goal is to assist new and existing customers in improving the functionality and extending the service life of critical prepress technology and equipment. Going the extra mile — or even 100 miles — is just part of our service commitment.”

Southern Lithoplate (www.slp.com) is a leading provider of digital plate solutions and associated products for the newspaper and high-quality commercial sheetfed printing markets. State-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in North Carolina and Michigan exceed the needs of Southern Lithoplate’s customer markets. The company is headquartered in Wake Forest, North Carolina, near the world-renowned Research Triangle Park.

Southern Lithoplate’s service infrastructure supports customer productivity and profitability from prepress through the pressroom and beyond. Equipment manufacturers have confidence in Southern Lithoplate’s ability to service customers’ prepress and pressroom technology, including computer-to-plate recorders and processors. 

SLP Solutions builds on an already far-reaching network of service providers enabling dramatically better results. The benefits of coordinated technical and machine-based services make it possible for newspaper publishers, coldset web printers and commercial sheetfed shops to operate efficiently at all times.

Discerning customers taxed by increasing workloads and reduced staff recognize the value of responsive service. The SLP Solutions team of service professionals is available 24/7 for consultation on any aspect of prepress equipment and consumables. Immediate support is offered to help diagnose and troubleshoot problems with printing plates, platesetters, imagesetters, processors and workflow management software. Rapid response is provided with a high level of team skill. 

Team services include but are not limited to:
• Site Inspections
• Prepress Optimization
• Installations
• Training
• Systems Integration
• On-Demand Service Calls
• Inspection and Diagnostic Programs
• Mechanical Breakdown Service
• Repairs and Rebuilds
• Relocations

Parts support
When something goes wrong and prepress production grinds to a halt, quick replacement with quality parts is a must. SLP Solutions offers a wide selection of available parts and value pricing. Well-stocked spare and replacement parts inventories keep downtime costs to a minimum. Technical specialists experienced at locating hard-to-find parts not in stock can identify the right replacement parts or design solution. Attention to shipping logistics ensures that parts arrive as expeditiously as possible.

Fine-tuning processes
There are many ways SLP Solutions helps customers fine-tune their production processes for peak performance. Southern Lithoplate’s deep knowledge base extends to print control methodology. The SLP Solutions team understands color management and quality control for proofing and printing equipment. Partnerships with IDEAlliance and X-Rite/Pantone and G7® proficiency empower customers to consistently deliver exceptional color results. 

SLP Solutions also supports the Specifications for Newsprint Advertising Production (SNAP) Certificate Program. In addition, Southern Lithoplate provides ink saving programs and pressroom fingerprinting.

“SLP Solutions exists solely to facilitate customer success with proven revenue generation and cost reduction solutions,” Blakeley said. “As the complexity of printing operations increases, Southern Lithoplate evolves with our customers. SLP always will be a trustworthy and capable partner dedicated to helping customers solve difficult production challenges.”