Combined Offset, Screen, and Digital Printing Add Value and Create Solutions

DMR Graphics, LLC, based in West Conshohocken, PA has a great strength: the ability to combine different printing technologies. Adding a swissQprint Nyala flatbed printer to their machinery has widened the scope of applications even more and also boosted efficiency.

Multi-process printing

DMR Graphics’s great strength is its ability to mix different printing technologies in projects to arrive at ever-changing new solutions. That means combining sheet-fed offset and screen printing with digital printing. So, they might flood panels with white, gold, or some other metallic base layer in screen printing, and then add a digital print. Or the other way around: they will do the digital printing first and add glitter or other specialty inks like fluorescent by screen printing.

There is one piece of equipment that has played a central role since early summer 2020: a swissQprint Nyala flatbed printer. “We have at least one of every type of machine, including several flatbeds, and yet the swissQprint with its unique abilities allowed us to expand our offerings further still,” says David Kovacs, president, DMR Graphics.

Varnish embellishment is just one example. This could mean covering a surface to obtain an overall gloss effect, or just highlighting certain areas of a print. For instance, to simulate water drops on a beverage bottle or a water effect on offset printed sheets. “We will do small print runs with the swissQprint and larger ones on our screen-printing press,” says Kovacs.

The same applies to white printing, another Nyala feature that DMR appreciates. “We use white every day, for multilayer prints and production on acrylic sheets,” says Jamie McLennan, senior account executive and creative print strategist.

Ease of use

In addition to the impressive output, the special effects and the precision the printer delivers, it is an eye-catcher itself. “Visitors like the machine, it’s attractive and draws attention,” says McLennan, “and we love it, too, especially for its ease of use.”

He remembers the installation in early June 2020. “We were fully into business after just one week,” says McLennan.

That is not least due to the support they keep getting from the application specialists at the swissQprint subsidiary in Elgin, IL. “We can call them anytime and get immediate help,” says McLennan.

Boosted efficiency

As Kovacs explains, DMR keeps developing new solutions in pace with agencies who like to offer their customers original possibilities: “The swissQprint is one of the best tools to help us with whatever needs we have at this time,” says Kovacs.

But it is not just about novel applications, what also counts are the technical features that increase efficiency and ROI.

“The swissQprint registration system is one of the highlights, it helps a lot with signage,” says McLennan. “The registration pins provide individual registration points along the width of the print bed and ensure precise registration — especially important with double-sided productions.”

As a matter of fact, the registration system made DMR rethink their workflow. They used to print on large boards and then cut them. Using the swissQprint tandem function, they now do series with precut sheets — again, with the help of the registration pins. “Tandem saves time and money,” says McLennan. This function enables non-stop printing as the table is alternatingly loaded with material on either side. Hence, there is no idle time: while printing is underway on one side, the operator unloads and loads the other side.

“Combined with the Nyala’s print speed, we are seeing faster turnaround since we acquired the printer,” says McLennan.

Source: DMR Graphics

The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Wide-format Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of Wide-format Impressions.