Established for over 33 years with the promises of quality, performance and delivery, Lancashire based printers, KT Litho are a well-established and reputable operation.

With a history in litho printing and processes, brothers Greg Twemlow and Matt Twemlow, Joint Managing Directors, have been leading the company with continuous growth and expansion.

“We have a large base of customers that rely on us for high quality output, something we really pride ourselves on at KT Litho. Having been in business for as long as we have, it’s important to keep up a good reputation.”

However, KT Litho faced a problem often seen in high volume print rooms, their orders were diversifying.

“The majority of the time we see high volume, repetitive orders, which reflects the processes we have had in place. In 2005 we started to see an increase in demand for bespoke, short run orders. Using the technology we already had in place, the short run items were proving too expensive to produce.”

Seeing a growing trend in demand, Greg looked to the marketplace to see what might be on offer that could keep high-volume clients satisfied whilst reducing the costs of bespoke items.

As an initial solution, KT Litho invested in two Roland VersaArt RS-640s, this allowed for quicker printing but still required finishing times for drying and mounting, ultimately not resolving the core requirement.

Greg then looked to the seemingly evolving flatbed printing technology when printMAX introduced him to the Mimaki JFX200-2513.

Designed for ease of use, high quality but in a cost effective package, the JFX200 offers an affordable entrance to flatbed printing.

With highly productive print speeds of up to 25M2 per hour, the JFX enabled KT Litho to continue with their high volume orders. However, using the Rasterlink RIP software and with the ease of loading and precise positioning media thanks to the vacuum bed and pin system, KT Litho could print bespoke jobs for the same cost by reducing set up time and ultimately enhancing the print potential.

The instant drying of the ink, a feature possible through the energy efficient LED UV curing, allows for continuous printing with little to no additional finishing time.

The beauty of direct to substrate printing is in the potential. There are endless possibilities for diversification and print capabilities. Greg adds, “since taking on the JFX200 we have started taking enquiries for glass, metal, wood and several other items that we would never have considered before, and would have certainly turned away as a business opportunity.”

KT Litho made the decision to go for the JFX200 following the assistance and knowledge of Mimaki reseller, printMAX. 

“Having met printMAX’s MD, Michael Bolton over 10 years ago, he left me with the lasting impression of honesty, enthusiasm and integrity. Three features I see as key in any business relationship. Having dealt with several suppliers over the last 30 years of trading, none have come close to treating me the way printMAX have.”

You can see Mimaki’s award winning JFX200-2513 first hand at printMAX’s upcoming open days, held on July 5^th and 6^th at their demo centre based in Aldershot, Hampshire. More details can be found at http://printmax.co.uk/blog/try-before-you-buy-with-printmax/ .Should you miss these dates, printMAX offer one-on-one demos of the JFX along with the whole Mimaki and Roland range on a daily basis from their demo centre, call 01420 511539 for details.