WSU: Indigo Brings ‘Amazing’ Results

Steven Rigby expected folks at Washington State University to be pleased when they saw what his in-plant’s new HP Indigo 3050 digital press could do.

He just didn’t anticipate the all-out exuberant response to the press and the nearly immediate jump in business that it brought.

“Everybody’s delighted,” remarks Rigby, director of Printing and Web Services. “Since our open house, we’ve doubled our printing orders going to that press.”

The 3050 was added in November, he says, and by February it started turning a profit. Rigby says 80 percent of the work going to the press is work the shop never did, or previously brokered out. This includes marketing materials and advanced copies of publications. The press has even allowed the in-plant to kick its fledgling insourcing business into high gear.

In selecting the 3050, the 65-employee in-plant tested files on several vendors’ presses. The 3050’s quality, workflow and price made it the best fit, Rigby says. He especially liked its fifth-color capability—a big help when printing the WSU colors. Also nice was the ability to add a sixth and seventh color later.

Since installing the 3050, Rigby says, employee morale has climbed.

“Our staff knows that we’re looking into the future, and we’re looking out for their future as well,” he says.

As for the rest of the WSU campus, customers can’t seem to get jobs to the in-plant fast enough.

“It’s really solidified our position on campus as the ‘go-to’ place for any type of publishing work,” Rigby says.