20 February 2018

A1 Security Print Limited invests further

Midland BPIF member A1 Security Print Limited (formerly A1 Trade Print), based in West Bromwich, has added to its existing capacity with a further Nipson DigiFlex.

The company was the first cheque-printing business to be accredited to the then APACS standard, but as cheque use has declined A1 has turned to other types of secure and personalised document printing.

Craig Barnett, A1's Finishing Manager, said, "Minimal operator training was required and the increased speed and quality will see us close to doubling the output of the machine it replaced." He added, "None of the inkjet technologies we looked at were able to cope with the suite of products that we produce, we therefore narrowed our search to toner-based devices - but even most of these fused at temperatures that were too high for the complex substrates and security features that were required."

As well as running at a lower fusing temperature than competitive products, the Nipson also offered a smaller footprint. A1 was also swayed by the continuity that came with operator familiarity with the system as well as the fact that the DigiFlex is approved for cheque E13B codeline creation, giving C&CCC accredited cheque printers an alternative process for some of their cheque manufacturing.

Today cheques account for just 15% of its revenues, with the remainder attributed to products such as certificates, gift vouchers, visas, vehicle licences, exam papers, parking permits and government documents. It can print 1D and 2D barcodes.

The company already owned two Nipson 7000s, but needed to boost throughput and was persuaded by the higher resolution of the new-generation machine. One of the 7000s, a 15-year-old model, will be decommissioned following the installation of the new DigiFlex.

The machine was chosen to meet growing demand for personalised documents. The DigiFlex not only runs 50% faster than the older model but improved dust extraction and air cooling systems also increase the machine's productivity.

The company is part of MCAARP Holdings, which also owns Integrity Print, based in SW - for more information on both members please see:
http://www.a1securityprint.com or http://www.integrity-print.com

A1 also support the Midland Regional Board, for more information on supporting your Regional Board, please see page 24, InTouch of Issue 52 of Inprint - download it on the link below:
https://www.britishprint.com/membership-services/media/inprint/