Empire Screen Printing Utilizes Fujifilm’s Graphium UV Press for Labels, Packaging

FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division’s Graphium UV digital hybrid inkjet press for labels, packaging and specialty print extends capabilities at Onalaska, WI-based Empire Screen Printing.
 
“The Graphium opens up the door to a different digital output method for us, and additional revenues,” said Jennifer Schloesser, creative director, Empire Screen Printing. “We are now able to enter new markets we previously were not able to consider.”
 
Graphium makes converting short to medium print jobs profitable, as the press streamlines workflow, requires less setup material, less ink/varnish/laminate, provides lower running waste and eliminates overruns. Furthermore, it is one of the only modular digital inkjet presses offering the option to integrate true flexo and finishing stations for hybrid production and conversion, in a single pass.
 
“The print quality on the Graphium extends the capabilities of our screen printing when it comes to printing four color process, fine lines, and perfect register jobs,” said John Freismuth, president, Empire Screen Printing. “The Graphium is going to change the way print goes to market. I’ve heard many colleagues say ‘digital isn’t fast enough’ and ‘digital isn’t outdoor-durable,’ and with Graphium, you get both; it’s fast and the output is outdoor durable.
 
“We haven’t found any other press that’s cost-effective and provides durable labels for outputting solid color polycarbonate,” Freismuth added. “They were either too slow or (the digital ink) didn’t stick. We are now producing decorative polycarb elements that are directly applied to commercial grade and residential appliances, along with exercise equipment. Many of our jobs require a lot of white ink for the opacity, and the Graphium allows us to do this very well.”
 
Complex artwork regularly arrives at Empire Screen Printing, and the traditional screen printing process wasn’t able to handle the requirements demanded of clients.
 
“The Graphium allows us to successfully work with designers and companies looking for perfect registration,” said Freismuth. “Screen printing hasn’t been able to offer that, and with the introduction of digital, we can manage complex files at speeds faster than ever. With the Graphium we have the ability to output multiple jobs efficiently and cost-effectively.”