Chicago-based pre-media provider Splash Graphics has installed a new Miraclon Flexcel NX Wide 5080 flexo platemaking system, resulting in boosts to capacity and efficiency, it said.
The system is its second Miraclon Flexcel flexo platemaker, although the first in the 50 x 80-inch format. Consequently, the company can now produce and ship a greater variety of plate sizes to printers and converters nationwide faster.
“For us, the most important benefit of working with Miraclon and Flexcel NX technology is taking advantage of their steady drumbeat of innovation,” says Splash Graphics co-owner Dhiren Sanghani. “The Miraclon technical team is constantly making improvements, coming up with new technological differences every few years.”
The business began in 1992, a partnership between Mr Sanghani, Valji Patel and Bhavesh Vanani. Since then, it has invested and thought big through a series of bold strategic moves and technology partnerships, including a major pivot in 1995 when it added multi-colour presses and finishing systems, transforming into a full-service printing company, and investing in CTP in 1999.
In 2006, Splash sold the printing operations and returned to focus on prepress and platemaking services, with its first Flexcel NX system coming in 2008.
Today, the company is focused on brand support, flexo, and offset prepress services, with 60% of its business in food packaging, while also serving the medical, healthcare, and shrink-sleeve labels sectors. Additional services include packaging mock-ups and large-format display and signage.
Splash’s relationship with Miraclon has included being a beta site for the manufacturer’s PureFlexo Printing triple-form patterning, which it uses whenever the work suits it.
“Miraclon’s commitment to innovation fits perfectly with our own philosophy of constantly offering customers new solutions through pressroom problem solving and press optimisation,” said Mr Sanghani. “After all, we’ve been there – our journey from prepress to printer and back to prepress makes Splash Graphics uniquely qualified to help customers improve quality, productivity, and repeatability.”
