Leaving A Digital Legacy at the University of Tennessee

The Digital Decision

With the demand for short-run color rising, the decision to upgrade the in-plant’s digital color capabilities was easy to make.

"It's just not effective to run 1,000 copies on a four-color printing press," Williford says. The shop's Xerox DocuColor 12 was not right for the task either. And with the four-color market expected to grow, he says, "we decided that we would equip for that."
Though the in-plant had numerous options, only the highest quality machine would do for the brochures, posters and postcards the shop intends to print.
"Offset-like quality is paramount," he says.
A growing interest in personalization also told Williford that the time was right for a digital press.
"This gives us the opportunity, by putting in this NexPress, for us to get into that marketplace," he says of variable data printing.
One of the jobs the in-plant was previously unable to handle was the printing of postcards sent to prospective students and alumni. These were printed 2,000 at a time, too short a run for offset, Williford says, so that work was being lost to outside printers.
"With this machine, we can compete in that arena," he says.
Though the in-plant looked at other digital color presses, some were not able to match the official orange color in the University of Tennessee's logo.
"The NexPress can match the 151 orange without any trouble," he notes.
The finishing capabilities on the NexPress 2500 and its ability to intermix black-and-white and color copies also weighed in its favor. The NexGlosser glossing unit was the icing on the cake.
"We think that will cause people to want to use it more," he predicts--particularly for posters.
JDF and CTP
Though this is the in-plant's first foray into production digital color printing, the shop digitized its offset operation a few years ago by adding computer-to-plate equipment and integrating JDF automation (see JDF sidebar). By adding a Fuji Sabre platesetter, Williford says, plates are now ready for the press just 10 minutes after approval. Because of demands for faster turnaround times, he says, CTP was essential.
"We wouldn't be here if we hadn't done that," he remarks.
One reason the in-plant has been able to get the equipment it needs is because it can draw money from its own equipment fund. Williford worked with school officials years ago to create the fund, and he praises the administration recognizing the importance of setting aside money to replace aging equipment.
"To do quality work you need quality equipment," he says.
The equipment fund allowed the shop to get a four-color press during tight financial times for the university. Williford is proud that his operation is able to put money into this fund while still providing the university with the lowest cost possible for printing.