Quality and Consistency by a ‘Classic’ J Press 720S

FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division (Booth 2013) recently installed the J Press 720S at Classic, a Broadview, IL-based high-end commercial printer.

Jeff Hernandez, VP, Classic, along with his J Press 720S.

With a 29.5x20.9" sheet, and an output of 2,700 sheets per hour, Fujifilm’s sheetfed J Press 720S is a solution for printers like Classic looking for a product that features the quality and robustness of an offset press, and the versatility to handle even the shortest of press runs.

When looking for a new digital press, Jeff Hernandez, VP, Classic, evaluated nearly everything on the market.

Classic arranged a ‘shootout,’ and had two of their key clients evaluate the output, side-by-side, prior to investing in new technology.

“The clients accused us of slipping in an offset print within the blind test,” says Hernandez. “They thought the J Press 720S printed sheets were printed offset.”

Continues Hernandez, “The quality output of the J Press 720S is what initially stood out. In regards to color consistency, there is no other digital press that is more consistent from one sheet to the next. Most digital devices are inconsistent, especially with grey (PMS 436), but not the J Press 720S. The ability to calibrate PMS colors accurately is amazing.”

Uptime is another hot topic when discussing a digital inkjet press. “Our uptime is at 90%, which has exceeded our expectations,” says Hernandez. “Our inkjet heads are functioning perfectly, not clogging, or streaky, which is a great testimony to the technology of FUJIFILM Dimatix’ Samba printheads.”

With a toner based machine, press operators would often need to check the output, because they needed to ensure the output was right.

“With the J Press 720S our operators don’t have to sit around and pick samples for review; it just runs,” adds Hernandez.

The J Press 720S complements their other equipment, and Hernandez is pleased with the new business coming through his doors.

“The J Press 720S has opened new avenues to us; we continue to offer the high-quality product we are known for, while now being more cost-effective with short-runs,” says Hernandez.

Classic is able to produce a variety of short-run jobs on their J Press 720S, including those that are design-heavy, as well as variable data, and jobs with unique specifications. They recently switched a high-end variable specialty publication job onto the J Press 720S, and their client was very pleased. Hernandez says having more flexibility with color options was key, and now this particular job will always be produced on their J Press 720S.

Hernandez says for Classic to produce beautiful work off their toner-based machines, they had to work “twice as hard” and had to deal with markings and streaks, and could never match the quality of offset. “When running regular coated and uncoated stock, the J Press 720S outputs the best sellable sheet in the industry,” claims Hernandez. “And per my experience when comparing ink costs, in many situations it’s less expensive to go with inkjet versus toner.”

“Our relationship with Fujifilm goes back 25 years, and we are a long-time user of Fujifilm’s Superia LH-PJ plates,” says Hernandez. “All of Fujifilm’s solutions are very consistent, and sustainably cleaner products compared to others in the industry. Fujifilm is very innovative, and always thinking ahead of the others.”