George-based digital print, design and copy shop Blitsdruk has invested in a Xerox Versant 2100 digital printer, which will enable it to meet growing customer demand for fast turnaround, short-run, high-quality work. The press has a faster speed, accepts a wider range of media, and benefits from greater automation than its predecessor, the DocuColor 5000.

Blitsdruk owner LJ Rossel says the purchase has transformed his business. “We already offered a digital printing service, but with demand growing so rapidly, we wanted to expand our offering by investing in the latest technology. As a result of the cost-savings, increased revenue and productivity provided by the Versant 2100, we have evolved from a copy shop into the biggest digital print shop along the Garden Route.”

Blitsdruk has been a Xerox customer for more than a decade. Rossel decided it was time to upgrade the business’s digital printer after seeing the Versant 2100 in action at the Africa Print Regional Expo in Port Elizabeth, in February. Rossel says his team was impressed by the quality and speed of the Versant, which is also ideal for printing the smaller runs that customers are demanding today.

“We normally upgrade our technology every five years,” he says. “However, the Versant’s running costs are so much cheaper than the older model we were using that it made business sense for us to buy it just three years into the cycle. The lower running costs have enabled us to pick up a much bigger share of the litho market as we are able to pass the cost savings onto our customers.”

What has really stood out for Rossel’s team and his customers is the full colour offset-like quality, variable data options, and the flexibility of the press. The automated colour management and control features ensure consistent and accurate colour across the sheet and throughout the run. It prints at a speed of 100 ppm on all weights up to 300 gsm, and also supports a wide array of substrates including linen, vinyl, magnetic stock and more.

“We can offer customers a wider range of digital options at very competitive prices, helping them to meet their deadlines on smaller print runs while still producing creative, striking printed material,” he says. “Customers are astounded by the turnaround times, and we are getting new business in all the time as we are now a fully-fledged commercial digital print shop.”

Rossel says the level of service provided by Xerox’s business partner, Copy X Business Solutions was a major factor in the decision to buy the Versant. “Over the years we have tried other brands, but none has been able to provide the level of service offered by Xerox. Since we bought the press it has kept on running with no downtime, which means we are already getting a return on investment. It’s a mid-level press that has given us top-end production capabilities.”