David Savastano, Editor11.20.17
Keeping up with the times is critical in any business, and is definitely the case with the printing industry. For Priority Envelope, Inc., investing in the latest technology is paying off for its customers, as its recent Silver Award in the Flexographic Technical Association’s (FTA) Envelope, Line, Uncoated Category clearly shows.
“Investing in new equipment and technology definitely sets us apart from our competition,” said Tim Schultz, prepress manager for Priority Envelope, Inc. “I believe Priority Envelope looks at the future of the industry and the future needs of our customers. Priority recognizes the growing demand for quality and complex printing along with a faster delivery to the customer.”
With headquarters in Plymouth, MN as well as additional production facilities in Nevada, IA and Lenexa, KA, Priority Envelope has built itself into an industry leader in the envelope field over the last two decades. Providing the best possible service for customers is the company’s goal every day.
“Our desire to be our customers’ best supplier,” Schultz said. “This commitment drives us to always be looking to exceed our customer’s needs and expectations.”
One way is through re-investing in the company. Whether adding equipment, technology or training for associates, Priority has seen the need to continually grow and improve. As a result, the company has built up an impressive roster of flexo and inkjet presses and equipment.
“We have the largest fleet of W+D servo CI presses in the Midwest and the fastest envelope folding machines in North America,” Schultz said. “The latest W+D servo CI technology gives you .002” color to color register and ability to run four-color process or very tight color trap line color in line as a single workflow. W+D’s dynamic impression control on your servo CI’s automatically adjust the impression settings at various speeds of the envelope machine, which give the most consistent quality throughout a run.”
Schultz said that working closely with vendors throughout the supply chain provides huge benefits for customers.
“INX has been an outstanding partner always willing to help, especially when it comes to technical support,” Schultz noted. “Our INX ink system is a high strength water-base dispersion ink system, and we blend our colors using a Novaflow ink dispenser. Our Brookfield/Ametek viscosity control system automatically maintains a set viscosity of our water-based inks by constantly measuring the ink and adding pH-balanced solution when required. We also have state-of-the-art in-house electronic pre-press and digital plate making.
Working with our vendors like Esko and DuPont lets us be on the cutting edge of new technologies and products.”
As for printing, Priority takes extra steps to ensure quality.
“Priority Envelope has recognized the need to be able to print on a clean dust-free substrate and has installed Doyle web cleaning systems, which remove any debris and static from the web,” said Schultz.
“One of the most instrumental parts of our process is our anilox roll library,” Schultz added. “Priority has one of the largest anilox libraries in the industry. Without a good and properly maintained anilox roll, quality flexo print is impossible. We again work with our vendors to train our associates and to perform quality audits of our anilox library. The key is good cleaning and handling practices.”
Color is essential to end users, and Schultz said that Priority is determined to meet color measurements to target G7 standards for presses and proofing.
“When printing color, whether process or spot, it is imperative that color is measured,” Schultz observed. “If you don’t measure a process, you can’t control it. Along with handheld spectrodensitometers, Priority has seen the need to continually monitor color on press, and has added on-line spectral systems to continually monitor print on the web. These are the GV Spectro system from PC Industries and Techkon. An inspection camera guides the Techkon spectrophotometer to read pre-determined color patches to help the press operator meet and maintain density, Lab, and dot-gain standards.”
As a finishing touch, Priority focuses on envelopes that also feature post print coating – i.e. soft touch, registered and pattern embossing. All of this care helps Priority meet or exceed its customers’ requirements, and in the case of its Horse & Rider Envelope, earning honors from the FTA.
“The FTA Silver Award for line work showcased our ability to print flood coverage with outstanding densities and coverage without defects,” Schultz concluded.
“Investing in new equipment and technology definitely sets us apart from our competition,” said Tim Schultz, prepress manager for Priority Envelope, Inc. “I believe Priority Envelope looks at the future of the industry and the future needs of our customers. Priority recognizes the growing demand for quality and complex printing along with a faster delivery to the customer.”
With headquarters in Plymouth, MN as well as additional production facilities in Nevada, IA and Lenexa, KA, Priority Envelope has built itself into an industry leader in the envelope field over the last two decades. Providing the best possible service for customers is the company’s goal every day.
“Our desire to be our customers’ best supplier,” Schultz said. “This commitment drives us to always be looking to exceed our customer’s needs and expectations.”
One way is through re-investing in the company. Whether adding equipment, technology or training for associates, Priority has seen the need to continually grow and improve. As a result, the company has built up an impressive roster of flexo and inkjet presses and equipment.
“We have the largest fleet of W+D servo CI presses in the Midwest and the fastest envelope folding machines in North America,” Schultz said. “The latest W+D servo CI technology gives you .002” color to color register and ability to run four-color process or very tight color trap line color in line as a single workflow. W+D’s dynamic impression control on your servo CI’s automatically adjust the impression settings at various speeds of the envelope machine, which give the most consistent quality throughout a run.”
Schultz said that working closely with vendors throughout the supply chain provides huge benefits for customers.
“INX has been an outstanding partner always willing to help, especially when it comes to technical support,” Schultz noted. “Our INX ink system is a high strength water-base dispersion ink system, and we blend our colors using a Novaflow ink dispenser. Our Brookfield/Ametek viscosity control system automatically maintains a set viscosity of our water-based inks by constantly measuring the ink and adding pH-balanced solution when required. We also have state-of-the-art in-house electronic pre-press and digital plate making.
Working with our vendors like Esko and DuPont lets us be on the cutting edge of new technologies and products.”
As for printing, Priority takes extra steps to ensure quality.
“Priority Envelope has recognized the need to be able to print on a clean dust-free substrate and has installed Doyle web cleaning systems, which remove any debris and static from the web,” said Schultz.
“One of the most instrumental parts of our process is our anilox roll library,” Schultz added. “Priority has one of the largest anilox libraries in the industry. Without a good and properly maintained anilox roll, quality flexo print is impossible. We again work with our vendors to train our associates and to perform quality audits of our anilox library. The key is good cleaning and handling practices.”
Color is essential to end users, and Schultz said that Priority is determined to meet color measurements to target G7 standards for presses and proofing.
“When printing color, whether process or spot, it is imperative that color is measured,” Schultz observed. “If you don’t measure a process, you can’t control it. Along with handheld spectrodensitometers, Priority has seen the need to continually monitor color on press, and has added on-line spectral systems to continually monitor print on the web. These are the GV Spectro system from PC Industries and Techkon. An inspection camera guides the Techkon spectrophotometer to read pre-determined color patches to help the press operator meet and maintain density, Lab, and dot-gain standards.”
As a finishing touch, Priority focuses on envelopes that also feature post print coating – i.e. soft touch, registered and pattern embossing. All of this care helps Priority meet or exceed its customers’ requirements, and in the case of its Horse & Rider Envelope, earning honors from the FTA.
“The FTA Silver Award for line work showcased our ability to print flood coverage with outstanding densities and coverage without defects,” Schultz concluded.