By: Erik Vlietinck
Mon, July 23, 2007 - 12:21:00

HP Indigo 5000 press installed at Polestar Wheatons.
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Polestar Wheatons, specialists in the production of academic journals, directories and catalogues, has strengthened its standing as a full print service provider (PSP) with the installation of an HP Indigo press 5000. The press will enable the company to offer its customers short-run printing and a print on demand service – solutions to combat ever-decreasing run lengths and a need for cost-effective, low-volume printing.

The new press will be utilised through the alliance of Wheatons and Polestar Direct as part of the new Polestar Applied Solutions division. The new division will serve as a consolidated point of contact for Polestar’s complete range of services, integrating and expanding software solutions, digital printing, print management and direct mail. Polestar Wheatons’ HP Indigo press 5000 will provide a focal point in this division producing a diverse range of products from a single press.

“Following Polestar Wheatons’ significant investment in quality digital technology we will actively target the digital marketplace, enabling us to enlarge our customer base with a more diverse range of services,” said Bob Brown, managing director, Polestar Wheatons. “The HP Indigo press 5000 provides us with such quality that we can confidently produce both colour and monochrome jobs and we have faith that the press will be able to match our lithographic work to an extent that customers will not be able to tell the difference.”

The HP Indigo press 5000 will be regularly used in its print on demand capacity to match litho work. Customers will be able to request segmented journals, catalogues or automotive guides via an online website which will reduce waste and be more cost-effective for customers.

Polestar Wheatons will also use the press to provide services to other Polestar divisions, especially in the newspaper supplement and magazine industry, producing invitations, mailers and leaflets, all with the ability to be personalised.

“HP is a saleable brand when reaching out to new and existing customers and is widely recognised for its quality presses, and our customers are reassured by our decision to invest in high-end equipment,” said Brown.

Polestar Wheatons’ investment resulted from a need to deliver higher quality digital printing, providing its customers with flexible and reliable services. The company, established in 1890s as a family-run printer in Devon and part of the Polestar group since its formation in 1998, has extensive experience in digital and conventional printing; however, its investment in HP Indigo technology will mark a significant shift in business attitude and focus.