Fujifilm's Graphium Press Changes the Way Print Goes to Market

FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division’s Graphium UV digital hybrid inkjet press for labels, packaging and specialty print extends capabilities at Onalaska, Wisconsin-based Empire Screen Printing. “The Graphium opens up the door to a different digital output method for us, and additional revenues,” said Jennifer Schloesser, creative director, Empire Screen Printing. “We are now able to enter new markets we previously were not able to consider.” Graphium represents the next generation of UV inkjet press for labels, packaging and specialty print. The press allows print service providers to fully embrace complex label, packaging and specialty jobs that simply aren’t achievable with standalone conventional or inkjet presses. It makes converting short to medium print jobs profitable, as the press streamlines workflow, requires less setup material, less ink/varnish/laminate, provides lower running waste and eliminates overruns. Furthermore, it is one of the only modular digital inkjet presses offering the option to integrate true flexo and finishing stations for hybrid production and conversion, in a single pass – greatly expanding the opportunities that can be converted. “The print quality on the Graphium extends our capabilities of our screen printing when it comes to printing four color process, fine lines, and perfect register jobs,” said John Freismuth, president, Empire Screen Printing. “The Graphium is going to change the way print goes to market. I’ve heard many colleagues say ‘digital isn’t fast enough’ and ‘digital isn’t outdoor-durable,’ and with Graphium, you get both; it’s fast and the output is outdoor durable.” Empire Screen Printing is one of the top print service providers for the polycarbonate market, and with the Graphium, new advantages with this innovative digital press allow the company to excel. “We haven’t found any other press that’s cost-effective and provides durable labels for outputting solid color polycarbonate,” says Freismuth. “They were either too slow or (the digital ink) didn’t stick. We are now producing decorative polycarb elements that are directly applied to commercial grade and residential appliances, along with exercise equipment. Many of our jobs require a lot of white ink for the opacity, and the Graphium allows us to do this very well.” Complex artwork regularly arrives at Empire Screen Printing, and the traditional screen printing process wasn’t able to handle the requirements demanded of clients. “The Graphium allows us to successfully work with designers and companies looking for perfect registration,” said Freismuth. “Screen printing hasn’t been able to offer that, and with the introduction of digital, we can manage complex files at speeds faster than ever. With the Graphium we have the ability to output multiple jobs efficiently and cost effectively.” In 1960, Empire began in a garage in La Crosse, Wisconsin, as a one-man operation. Though their roots are in screen printing, the company has expanded into flexographic and digital printing with their newest solution being the acquisition of the Graphium. Empire Screen Printing provides output for well-known industries within automotive, aircraft, electronics, food and beverages, government, sporting goods and retail. Empire Screen Printing recognizes the importance of its carbon footprint, and as a Wisconsin Green Tier Company, its committed to go above and beyond local, state, and EPA environmental standards. To find out how Fujifilm Graphic Systems Division can help businesses meet future challenges, improve quality and reduce costs, please visit: www.FujifilmPackagingInsights.com. To learn more about Empire Screen Printing, please visit: www.empirescreen.com