Reading based full service print provider Chroma has enhanced its inhouse lamination service with investment in an Intelligent Finishing Systems-supplied Foliant Vega 400A laminator and Foliant Multi-functional Inprinting Unit.

Justin Earl, operations director, explains: “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.”

The Foliant was chosen following a recommendation from a member of staff that used one in another company and a review of some market alternatives. Earl expands: “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.”

As for the impact it has made he says: “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.”

He adds that despite the pandemic the order to installation process was very smooth: “There was no impact on ordering and training aside from observing social distancing measures.”

The 18mpm B3 Foliant Vega 400A is a heavy duty, compact industrial laminating 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 is a new addition that Diamond is looking to build into its service delivery. It makes foiling and spot varnish fast and affordable for short run and personalised print. It transforms output by applying foil or varnish 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 and green and a clear gloss for spot varnish.