lto Print based in Milperra, south western Sydney, has bought a new Ricoh C7100X digital press, allowing the company to break into new markets, with an extended range of stocks, toners and an ability to engage with variable data.
Mark Hutchinson, manager of Alto says, “The printer opens up new avenues and means we can do work we could not before.
“We are working on the marketing side of things. People know we have installed the new press but they do not know about the diverse range of products that it can produce, so we are looking to campaign that.
“We are a commercial offset and digital printer. In terms of digital work, we do short run, quick turnaround, magazines and other kinds of jobs. We have a five colour that does our larger offset work.
“We make quality commercial offset and digital printed products such as folding cartons, magazines, labels, brochures and variable data print.”
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The new Ricoh replaces a previous machine. Hutchison says, “We had the previous model. Ricoh was helpful and we upgraded to the new machine.
“It can handle all of the different stuff we throw at it. It does enable us to create new products, for instance the old machine could not do envelopes but with this one, envelopes and variable data are no problem.
“The current job we are doing has a thick cover, 400gsm, and the new machine can handle that. It can also process banners, which we no longer have to do on offset. We can now do a broader spectrum of work that we used to have to outsource to other printers.
“I prefer the quality of the print that comes out of a Ricoh press. It has good versatility, it can handle a diverse range of stocks that we can now offer to our clients. It also has clear, white and neon yellow toner, which can enhance products. We already had a relationship with Ricoh; I know the technicians get on well with our staff.
Alto was established in 1972 as a small print shop in Lane Cove, before it moved to its current location.
Hutchinson says, “We are a small business, I do sales, provide quotes and process orders. My father, Jim Hutchinson founded the business. My mum came into it as well when they met. I have been with Alto now for about 14 years. We have eight staff.”
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