Reading-based printer Chroma has installed a Foliant Vega 400A laminator and Multi-functional Inprinting Unit, both supplied by IFS. 

The 18m/min B3 laminator is a heavy duty, compact industrial machine. It has an integrated deep pile vacuum feeder and a high speed bump separator, with non-sticky pressure roller and in-run adjustable twin decurl bar and overlap system.

It is equipped with the Foliant Multi-functional Inprinting Unit, a new addition that makes foiling and spot varnish ‘fast and affordable for short run and personalised print,’ applying it to a pre-printed black toner. The sheet can then be reprinted mono or four colour. It runs a wide range of colours including gold, silver, red, green and a clear gloss for spot varnish.

‘We already had a hand-fed laminator but needed something that could deal with longer run digital work as well as litho, as these jobs were being sent out to a trade finisher,’ explained operations director, Justin Earl.

Chroma chose the Foliant following a recommendation from a member of staff that used one in another company and a review of some market alternatives. Mr Earl added, ‘The Foliant had the right balance of price and performance to meet our requirements. It was the only laminator we looked at that ran at anything like its advertised speed.

‘Being able to bring longer runs in-house has enabled us to deal with ever decreasing lead-times. As a result, we expect return on investment in less than 30 months.’