Neon’s on the cards

Cutting-edge digital press lands at Alpha Colour Printers

 

As the firm’s name suggests, it’s all about the colour at Alpha Colour Printers with the specialist greeting card printer having recently welcomed a cutting-edge digital machine that prints neon shades.

The Heidelberg Pro C7500 is the latest addition to the Quedgeley-based company’s stable, with two of the leading supplier’s XL lithographic presses and another digital one giving various options for having greeting cards printed.

“It’s great for us to see some of our customers grow from digital to litho,” Amy Muldrew, Alpha’s managing director,  told PG Buzz, “but also great for our litho customers to have the digital option – the new machine was delivered at the end of December, it prints neon digitally and is great quality.

Above & top: Alpha’s reprographics team of Steve Hall-Price, Chris Ponting and (centre) reprographic director Luke Ostle with the new press and some of the neon prints
Above & top: Alpha’s reprographics team of Steve Hall-Price, Chris Ponting and (centre) reprographic director Luke Ostle with the new press and some of the neon prints

“We pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of technology, and our latest investment is a testament to this commitment. Adding a state-of-the-art digital printing press to our facility enables us to offer even more versatile, vibrant, and high-quality printing options for greeting card publishers – all with faster turnarounds to keep up with today’s demanding market.”

Amy has worked at the company, founded by her dad and current chairman Jeff Williams in 1979, since she was a youngster, spending her summer holidays helping out in all areas, such as running machines, accounts, packing boxes, and making breakfasts.

She officially joined the business in 2017 after graduating with an accountancy degree and became managing director in 2019.

The new machine prints up to 400gsm board and an oversized sheet L700mm x H330mm, while offering quick turnarounds on shorter runs in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional lithographic methods.

The new press continues Alpha’s commitment to sustainability as they had the UK’s first carbon-neutral press which generates virtually no ink waste alongside an 18% reduction in energy utilisation.

Above: Amy and Luke at The Henries Awards 2024, as Alpha Colour Printers is one of a sponsors
Above: Amy and Luke at The Henries Awards 2024, as Alpha Colour Printers is a sponsor

Alpha Colour Printers uses vegetable-based inks and recycles everything including used ink cartridges, paper and cardboard waste, plastic and polythene waste and even the machine blanket, plus there are two electric company cars and the delivery van has eco-start giving a low carbon footprint.

Amy added: “Whether it’s last-minute orders or seasonal rushes, this new press enables us to keep up with the fast pace of the industry without compromising on quality.

“It’s a key part of our strategy to provide the best possible service to our customers, ensuring we can meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality. The machine offers impressive four-colour printing, with the exciting addition of neon pink and neon yellow, allowing for unique, eye-catching designs.

“Whether you’re looking to create bold, vibrant cards or experimenting with neon designs, this new technology provides a new dimension of creativity and quality.”

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