Schulz adds: "We originally envisioned doing print runs of 50,000 pieces or less with the DICE inkjet unit but have since realized that runs of 500,000 or more can be practical and economical when compared to the cost of press setup, plate generation and labor. That was the biggest surprise and will greatly reduced our Return on Investment time period. We can easily produce high quality process color printing with perfect CMYK registration without producing plates, make ready or wash-ups. There are encoders mounted to the flexo press that enable us to combine flexo printing with the DICE inkjet printing in one pass with perfect registration including perforating and die cutting.
"With the DICE GT printer integrated into our current Mark Andy press, it has transformed our business with an impact not seen around here since the computer revolution in the 1980s," he continues. "After working with the DICE integrated digital-flexo hybrid approach, I don't know why anyone would want the limitations and higher cost of a standalone narrow web digital inkjet printer."

