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Canfield & Tack installs KODAK NEXPRESS 2100
Digital Production Color Press
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - August 11 - Canfield & Tack, a fast-growing
commercial printer with a history that dates back to 1926, has
seen its share of changes in the printing industry. Today, the
company is taking its transformation to the next stage with the
installation of a KODAK NEXPRESS 2100 digital production color
press.
A 100 percent employee-owned printer based in Rochester, N.Y.,
Canfield & Tack has moved quickly and aggressively to establish
itself as a full-service provider, while holding true to its roots
as a supplier of choice for clients who need the highest quality
print production.
Canfield & Tack has seen Kodak as a long-term partner in
its success. "Long before digital technology, we used all
KODAK equipment for our traditional analog-based film plotters
and processors, and litho plates that you had to image in a vacuum
frame," said Dan Mahany, President, Canfield & Tack. "The
digital transformation in the commercial world is equally as significant
as in the consumer world, and Canfield & Tack exemplifies
this evolution. Over the years, we've relied on Kodak for products
for digital proofing and creating plates directly, and now we've
adopted their digital press - the NEXPRESS 2100 - for many new
printing applications that expand the services we offer our customers,
as we make our own transition from conventional to digital technologies."
The company has for many years worked with Kodak Polychrome Graphics
for its offset supplies, platesetters and KODAK APPROVAL proofing
systems, and also uses a BRISQUE workflow from Creo, a subsidiary
of Kodak.
Mahany cites the quality, support and "workhorse" nature
of the 2100 as proof that with the right product, the time was
right to get into digital.
"We actually were an early adopter of digital technology
back in 1998. The problem was, with our market position on the
higher end, our customers expected a higher end product. The technology
at that time couldn't deliver the kind of consistency we wanted...so
we took a break from digital," Mahany said. "Now, we
can comfortably offer our clients the kind of quality they expect.
We put the NEXPRESS 2100 press through its paces, and had them
print test files on short notice - the quality stood up very well
with our offset output."
Canfield & Tack has installed the NEXPRESS 2100 press with
KODAK NEXPRESS fifth imaging unit solutions and the KODAK NEXGLOSSER
glossing unit to enable them to add custom color printing, protective
coating and high-quality gloss to printed products.
"The fifth imaging unit solutions and glossing unit fit
right into our model and will enhance our color capabilities.
People want the more sophisticated finishes the glossing unit
offers," said Ray Brown, Vice President of Digital Services.
The added digital capability of the NEXPRESS 2100 press will
enhance the company's existing business, which ranges from marketing
materials for consumer and business brands, to high-end annual
reports and custom published books. Canfield & Tack also is
adding to its full-service capabilities, opening up a new fulfillment
center that will expand its direct mail business, and expanding
its variable data printing capabilities with the installation
of the NEXPRESS 2100 press.
Mahany says that the company has been pleasantly surprised at
the depth of support Kodak has provided in helping them develop
and expand their digital business.
"Usually, you get a piece of equipment and then you're on
your own. Kodak is providing all kinds of resources and employee
time to help us succeed. They'll go on customer visits to help
us generate work and they're running a series of training seminars
for our sales force, and customer seminars to educate our customers
about variable data printing," Mahany said.
"Kodak's recent moves in the digital printing market have
shown that they're in this business with both feet. It should
give us access to the next product, and the next one behind it," Mahany
said, noting that they expect digital to be an increasingly important
part of their business over the next few years. "During the
downturn, it was easy to say `the sky is falling.' But we firmly
believe that if you do the best job possible, you outperform expectations,
and deliver value to your customers, you will be rewarded. Our
move into digital printing with the NEXPRESS 2100 press builds
on that philosophy."
