Kristal Digital brings jobs in-house with Roland printer install
Minesh Amin (R) with his brother Bob (L) and the new Roland MO-240
Commercial printer Kristal Digital Imaging Centre has upped its in-house capacity with the installation of a new Roland VersaObject DG MO-240 flatbed UV press.
Installed in August, the additional kit has already led to some “unique jobs”, managing director Minesh Amin said, including printing on 200 pairs of flip-flops.
“In just the first few weeks we’ve printed on plenty of traditional gift items like mugs and key rings, but also more unusual objects such as flip-flops!” Amin said.
While the new kit will mainly be used for small, personalised gift items, other jobs so far have included printing photographic images on acrylic blocks, along with Foamex and aluminium.
The machine’s capabilities have “opened up whole new possibilities for our clients”, Amin added, and “allows us to broaden the product range.”
The Kingston-upon-Thames business works out of a retail store with a nearby workshop and a team of four staff.
The installation of the VersaObject MO-240 UV model, supplied by SOS, has allowed the company to bring direct-to-object work in-house and produce accessible signage.
“One of the most exciting features of the MO-240 is its ability to print Braille. This capability allows us to produce accessible signage, posters, and flyers, directly supporting people with visual impairments,” said Amin.
“Accessibility is an important part of design and communication and by offering Braille printing in-house, we can help our clients make their products and spaces more inclusive.”
The new machine adds to the company’s existing kit, including a Roland cut and print and a Roland cutter. Along with Canon and Xerox printers, a Noritsu for wet lab photographics and book binding equipment.
Training took a day and was “quite straightforward” Amin added, due to the team’s familiarity with Roland printers.
“We looked at other models and suppliers but we’ve always dealt with SOS and Roland so we know the background. And we use the same software to use the other Roland machine,” Amin explained on what influenced the company’s choice.
Based in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, Kristal Digital Imaging Centre has seen a 25% growth rate in the past three years, with increased demand in display products for retail and exhibition use.
Amin commented: “We’re being asked to produce a lot of acrylics and mount-to-foamex work which suits flatbed production.
“Although it’s a relatively small machine for this type of work, it represents an important step into a promising new market.”
Established in 2003, Kristal Digital is a professional photo processing lab and commercial printer. Customers include schools and commercial companies, with typical work including exhibition prints, brochures, leaflets, book binding and photobooks.