Accuform Printing and Graphics, Inc., a family-owned business located in Detroit, Michigan, has seen increased sales due to across-the-board upgrades in production, including Heidelberg’s Suprasetter A75 CtP, Prinect Prepress Manager, Saphira ND 100 Plates, and a POLAR N 92 Plus high speed cutter.

Prepress Triple Threat

A complete overhaul of the prepress side of their business, Accuform’s new triple threat (Suprasetter A75, Prinect Prepress Manager workflow and Saphira ND 100 plates) has significantly improved productivity and minimized makeready times. Improved features of Prinect Prepress Manager have made prepress tasks much simpler and quicker – virtually eliminating issues with customer PDFs that Accuform used to have before upgrading their workflow.

“We’ve drastically reduced the number of touchpoints in our prepress department from the time we receive a file to when plates go on the press,”
“We’ve drastically reduced the number of touchpoints in our prepress department from the time we receive a file to when plates go on the press,” said Greg Konczal, Co-Owner of Accuform. “Since our workflow is processing files quicker, we can get plates made on the Suprasetter faster as well.”

Imaged on the compact Suprasetter A75, Accuform uses Heidelberg’s Saphira ND 100 Plates, which are optimized for direct-on-press capability, so there is no need for a processor, which means no waste or maintenance.

According to Konczal, “With the ND 100 plates, they’re ready to go on our Speedmaster SM 74 immediately after they’re imaged. It’s amazing  – the run lengths are incredible, and we haven’t even been able to fully maximize their full potential.”

Competitive Advantage

To extend their efficiency improvements, Accuform also purchased a new POLAR N 92 Plus high speed cutter. The new cutter, equipped with the latest Compucut software, which automatically creates cutting programs, has increased the efficiency of the cutting process and allows for the recall of stored jobs. Mechanical improvements, such as the new “air stop” air table control, allow the operator to easily activate or deactivate the power for the compressor. This new feature has actually helped decrease Accuform’s energy bills.

“We knew that in order to maintain a competitive advantage in the Detroit market, we needed to start making improvements throughout our shop,” said Gail Johnson, Sales Manager and Co-Owner for Accuform. “From the prepress department through to finishing; we’ve even enhanced our website for online ordering for our customers. With all of these improvements, we’ve seen our contracts double in the last year and hope to continue to grow our business both locally and beyond.”

About Accuform Printing and Graphics

The family-operated commercial printer serves a variety of Fortune 500 clients, supports several Detroit-area nonprofits and municipalities, and also sells to the trade. Accuform combines the latest printing technologies with a drive to produce quality work that meets and exceeds the needs of their clients.  To improve the quality of life for employees, customers, and the community, Accuform eschews harmful chemicals, prints, on request, with vegetable-based inks, and recycles its waste.

Erin Blank
Erin Blank
Creative Services Manager