Quick Search CtP Metal 2-Up [SpeedSetter VM] CtP Metal 4-Up [SpeedSetter VM4] CtP Poly [300-Portrait] CtP Poly [400-Landscape] OpenRIP Symphony [Offset] OpenRIP Flexo Available Features Imagesetters - SpeedSetter 300 [Portrait] - SpeedSetter 400 [Landscape] Accessories Consumables Contact Us News and Resources Calendar of Events

John and Kelly Johnson

Going direct to plate was an easy decision for John and Kelly Johnson, owners of a Kwik Kopy, digiprint Solutions Printing franchise in DeSoto, Texas. Having relied on service bureaus to
generate films, the Johnsons kept detailed records of how much revenue was going to other
suppliers. The firm felt comfortable with investing in its own digital system when their service
bureau expenses reached a pre-defined threshold.

After analyzing the offerings, they invested in a turnkey system from RIPit^® that included a
SpeedSetter^® 300 In-Line platesetter and RIPit's OpenRIP^® workflow. In addition to improving the
revenue stream and lowering outside costs, John Johnson says the move to digital platesetting has
significantly improved overall quality. "The line copy is crisp and clean, while the screens and
halftones are beautiful" he observes. "It even surpasses the quality that we were able to achieve
with film and metal plates. Most importantly, our customers have noticed the difference and keep
coming back because they know the quality of work we are able to produce."

The Johnsons' Kwik Kopy Printing Center does the design and layout on about 80% of its work,
and has to rework most of the files that come in to get them print ready. Only about 5 percent of
the files are ready to RIP and plot as submitted, Johnson reports. He recognizes that going digital
requires an ongoing commitment to educating his customers that prepare their own layouts.

Most importantly, digital platesetting has boosted the overall quality of this Kwik Kopy's work.
"We are able to easily add fine screens even to simple jobs that make them look much nicer. The
RIPit Computer to Plate system compliments our designer's talents, and press setup time has
been minimized because the plates come off the imagesetter in precise register. Our entire staff
has recognized the benefits of going digital."

In addition to enhancing customers' jobs, the RIPit system is benefitting the Johnsons' profit
margins. Since the RIPit system enables them to add screen tints and halftone images to jobs
without the added expense of film and metal plates, even their most cost conscience customers
are returning to request that we add photos on future jobs. "The key is that they are coming back,
which means they are pleased. That is what we are really looking for... happy customers".

The Johnsons' Kwik Kopy prints a variety of one- and two-color short-run commercial work for
regional customers. Most jobs are output at 133 lpi and 150 lpi at 1,200 dpi and 2,400 dpi on 7-mil
polyester plate material. The firm has printed up to four-over-four spot colors, as well as four
color process jobs.

Going digital has been a learning process for this firm and Johnson is quick to point out that
coordination between pre-press and press personnel is critical to making the system pay for itself.
"There are a number of technical challenges, and realistically it took us about 3 to 4 months to
completely absorb the changes in our work flow system," he confides. "Talented employees that
are dedicated to quality and are willing to embrace the changes required are essential to a
successful shift to direct-to-plate printing."

Johnson notes that digital platesetting makes prepress scheduling a critical factor in printing a job.
"Camera ready" is an outdated term... new digital files must get prepped prior to output and even
repeat jobs must initially go through the pre-press department for correct positioning on the
plates. After the initial reprint, it is a simple matter of opening the archived file and sending it to
the RIP. "Printers considering going direct to plate must seriously examine their pre-press
capabilities to ensure they are ready to absorb this paradigm shift in how jobs are produced," he
cautions. "Our pre-press department does a great job."

In less than five years, the Johnsons built a successful franchise and since workspace is limited,
the small footprint of the RIPit system was an important factor in the purchase decision. Purchasing
the RIPit system was a logical step to accomodate their growing clientele. Through hard work and
smart investments in the RIPit CtP system, the numbers are definitely adding up.


Kwik Kopy, digiprint Solutions
638 E. Centre Park Blvd.
DeSoto, TX 75115-2499
Phone: (972) 228-3344
Fax: (972) 228-9933
E-mail: info@digiprintsolutions.com
Web: www.digiprintsolutions.com