Minuteman Press Menlyn has expanded its offerings into the short-run, on-demand packaging and label market with the new Gemini desktop cutter, supplied by Xerox. The innovative desktop cutter can handle a variety of thicknesses and sheet sizes such as A4, A3, SRA3, SA3, letter, tabloid and tabloid extra. This is the first cutter in the Minuteman group.
The cutter can also do:
- Perforation cuts (small dots)
- Kiss cuts (half cuts)
- Die cuts (heavy cuts)
- Creasing
Xerox has partnered with Intellistor to provide the DPR Gemini label and box cutter to the wider South African market. Intellistor is a value-added importer and distributor of specialised products and services into Southern Africa – including on-demand colour label printing, finishing and blank labels.
Richard Attwell, director of Compleo, explains that Xerox identified a gap in the market to add value to the Minuteman group and other customers. “Xerox had been in talks with the Minuteman group, which identified an opportunity for short-run packaging, but they were having to turn away customers because there wasn’t suitable equipment.
“We identified and then extensively tested the Gemini product, which allows Minuteman Press to keep their clients and grow their client base. Traditionally, they would not get into the packaging market with just cutsheet digital printing; now they can access the short-run packaging market. So, they can do bespoke items, which would previously be very expensive to produce by having to create die-cut moulds.”
“We supplied Minuteman Press with a Xerox Versant 180 four years ago, and we looked at offering the cutter as a value-added solution because it allows the cutsheet colour printer to open up new markets in packaging as well as labels,” says Attwell. “The cutter has been at the Menlyn branch for less than two weeks, and they have already seen profits from the print jobs that they have used it for.”
‘We have identified short-run personalised labels and packaging as a major revenue and margin opportunity for the Minuteman Press group in South Africa. They are very successful in producing long run labels on their wide format printers. With the ability to print on a wide variety of media, including freezer labels for food products on the Versant 180 presses, the Gemini allows them to kiss-cut labels into any shape and size, from one label to infinity. Customers can get products delivered on the same day,” says Minuteman group national account manager John de Beer.
A report by Smithers shows that digital print continues to disrupt the packaging industry. According to Smithers, the “rapid growth and success of digital print are prompting brands to experiment with marketing – improving approval ratings and brand loyalty from consumers – as well as meeting new regulatory demands and evolving new business models. Digitally printed labels and packaging was worth US$13.4-billion in 2017. While the label sector has been the early adopter and is mature in some regions, there is very strong growth in corrugated, carton, flexibles and direct-to-shape, with developments in metal printing. By 2022, the rapidly expanding digital (inkjet and toner) packaging market will grow by almost 13% annually to exceed $22-billion.”
The cutter is ideal for applications such as labels, shaped business cards, small boxes and more, and can successfully cut cardboard with a weight ranging from 200gsm to 400gsm and adhesive sheets from 170gsm.
Key features include:
- Uses industry best Graphtec CE7000 plotter.
- Compact design, making it a desktop solution for a smaller workplace.
- Automatic ramp-style feeder tray provides operator free job runs.
- Proprietary software, ensuring precise loading and cutting with excellent results.
- Holds up to 150 sheets per job using sheet sizes (A4, A3, SA3, SRA3, letter, tabloid and tabloid extra).
- Cutting options include die-cut, kiss-cut, perforation cut and media creasing for boxes.
It features two different positions of cutting. The standard position is used for kiss-cutting labels. The second position is used to break through the media to create small packs, tags and more. Items that can be produced include display and point of sale, kiss-cut stickers, party boxes, customised card stock, envelopes, turnkey products, card stock and more.
“Previously, we couldn’t produce boxes for customers in small runs, so the Gemini cutter has solved that problem,” says Juan Appel, owner, Minuteman Press, Menlyn. “We can even do larger runs and there is no need for die-cutting and the machine setup involved. The Gemini opens a new market for us and it works well. It allows us to access industries such as weddings, pharmaceuticals and walk-in customers who just want small amounts of boxes.”
Appel adds that Minuteman Press has a longstanding relationship with Xerox. “We have bought quite a few machines from them already. They always support us and provide quick service when needed. We have a good relationship with them,” he says.
“One of our interests is smaller orders that need very specific cutting,” says Gerhard Snyman, co-owner of Minuteman Press, Hatfield. “For example, we recently had to quote a customer on 40 tags – which have a very specific shape – to be affixed to bottle necks with ribbons for a wedding. You used to have to make die-cuts and offer the end products at a very expensive price. With the Gemini, this process can be done at a reduced cost, and within a day. It speeds up the process for smaller orders.”
“The Gemini is ideal for cutting boxes and labels on demand. Previously, you would have had to outsource this type of work or pay a significant setup cost and the lead time on your outsourced work could take up to two weeks or longer. Furthermore, you are not restricted to the number of boxes – you may produce a single box if necessary,” says Intellistor sales manager Jacques Roux.
“Xerox has a massive footprint within South Africa. They offer great support and top quality products and services,” adds Roux. “By partnering with Xerox, Intellistor will be able to expand into areas of the country where Xerox is established and operational. We believe that by working together, we will be able to accomplish far more, and we look forward to what we can offer the market collectively.”
About Altron Document Solutions
Altron Document Solutions (ADS) is Africa’s leading document management technology and services company, and the largest Xerox distributor in the world. It is the authorised Xerox distributor in 26 sub-Saharan African countries, offering the complete range of Xerox document equipment, software solutions and services. ADS forms part of JSE-listed Altron Limited.
About Xerox
Xerox Holdings makes every day work better. We are a workplace technology company building and integrating software and hardware for enterprises large and small. As customers seek to manage information across digital and physical platforms, Xerox delivers a seamless, secure and sustainable experience. Whether inventing the copier, Ethernet, the laser printer or more, Xerox has long defined the modern work experience. Learn how that innovation continues at xerox.com.
- Originally published by www.africaprint.com
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