Available from IFS, the Foliant Vega 400 SF offers outputs up to 38cm x 72cm ► FOCUS ON / LAMINATION EQUIPMENT even longer, users could be hampered by obsolescence or scarcity of parts, meaning what was once a great asset can become a liability. “From a commercial point of view, the more eager investors would be able to offer a more complete printing/finishing service for the same price, and moreover be able to sell the print confidently, with fixed margins, in the knowledge this machine is under warranty.” With this, Morgan draws attention to some of the latest laminating machines available from Friedheim International and Komfi, revealing a high level of interest in the Tandem solution because of the scales involved. “One could always laminate a job for a negligible price increase, but with the Tandem Emboss facility the same can now be said when it comes to embellishment,” Morgan says, adding: “Being able to produce tactile finishes at the scale-cost of a laminator is game changing. “Printers can take medium-run digital jobs to their economic limit and produce a very healthy margin. Likewise, with the Komfi Tandem Double, double-sided lamination can be single pass with the same speed and quality you would expect from an existing Komfi laminator, but without the extra variables involved that might complicate the job.” The message here seems to be a simple but firm one; do not skimp when it comes to your laminating kit. Only by investing in the latest technology when the time comes to upgrade will you ensure you have access to new features and methods that will enhance output quality and deliver the best work to customers. 65 Issue 342 - May / June 2023 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk “The most obvious benefit for some is the innovation of new techniques and processes; for example, the Komfi Tandem Emboss features a laser-cut roller that is utilised to add select areas of embossing, textures and micropatterns to the laminate, to refract and control light. This can be a hugely cost-effective method to add embellishment to a laminated job.” Speaking more about the reasons to invest in new machinery, Morgan says while customers who work with these laminators from Komfi know that they can work away for years without a fault, eventually, however, the more work that goes through it, the more wear-and-tear and component failures will begin to add cost. “Over time, production speeds will slow and worst-case scenario, a job could be damaged,” Morgan says, adding: “Waiting “It makes foiling and spot varnish fast and affordable for short-run and personalised print by applying foil or spot UV varnish effect to a pre-printed area of toner,” he says, adding: “The sheet can then be reprinted mono or colour. It runs a wide range of coloured foils including gold, silver, holographic, red, green and a clear gloss for spot varnish. “Foil can be added to un-laminated paper, or, for a more luxury feel and look, it can be added to laminate film such as ‘Soft Touch’ or ‘Anti Scuff Matt’. The process transforms business cards, luxury packaging, letterheads, stationery, wedding stationery, high-end print, book covers, greeting cards, and security printing.” Production Efficiency Also active in the sector is Friedheim International, which offers a range of finishing kit to customers. Marketing executive Seth Morgan says only by investing in new machines will you have access to the latest technologies and methods available to the market. “New machines have design improvements, so production quality is a clear factor to consider; not just blemish-free laminated surfaces, but production-valuable characteristics like having zero’d static or perfectly flat sheets,” Morgan explains. “More importantly perhaps is the improvement in production efficiency with regard to speed and energy usage: faster laminating roll warmup, new roller types that require less pressure, and software improvements that speed up setup and changeovers. The Komfi Tandem Double allows for double-sided lamination in a single pass Factoid ▼ Komfi Tandem laminating machines are available in the UK from Friedheim International
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