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LABELS + PACKAGING: FIVESTAR PRINT UPGRADES TO AN EPSON SUREPRESS DIGITAL LABEL PRESS
Fivestar Print upgrades to an Epson SurePress digital label press
The Auckland, NZ-based digital print company partners with FBNZ for success LABELS
Since taking the helm at Aucklandbased Fivestar Print in 2012, Rajesh Mudundi has steadily built the company into a diverse business offering a range of services including design, marketing, printing, and installations.
The company’s team of 10 staff produces a range of print from small format and large format digital to digital labels and packaging solutions.
Recently, Fivestar Print installed an Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press, supplied through Fujifilm Business Innovation (FBNZ).
Rajesh said, “This installation is the next logical step in our label printing journey. We had begun with a second-hand machine, also an Epson, the SurePress L4033 digital label press, and it served us well. While we have been patient in growing the business, we needed to step up our labels production and the Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press is proving the ideal solution. Our production has increased, and it is great to have this label press that has the capability to handle short, medium, and long-runs.
“With the Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press, we can be more creative. It offers us a white ink option that changes our label production. For example, we can now complete a greater variety of jobs. So, it means more work, especially for jobs like specialty labels, wine labels and labels with metallic stocks.
“The speed has also increased but our ink volumes have shrunk compared to the previous machine. Epson has changed the ink system. I think we are the first company in the country using this new ink system and it is making a substantial difference. Another benefit is the greatly improved colour gamut. The Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press gives us 10 colours. Epson quality is well known across the industry. We can achieve over 90 per cent of Pantone colours.
“Maintenance is also easier with cleaning more automated. It performs a threeminute self-clean and that saves production time and ink. The new RIP is excellent. We changed out our old third party RIP for the Epson software, which is bundled with the machine. It has made a significant difference and is delivering excellent results.”
Long-term relationships
Rajesh appreciates his partnership with FBNZ. He said, “I have known Paul Thomas since 2011 and Fivestar’s relationship with FBNZ goes back to 2012. We have shared our journey with them.
“Our relationship with FBNZ has helped change the dynamics of this business and boosted the company to reach the next level tier of clients. As we have installed progressively superior technology and solutions, we have been able to successfully compete for higher jobs. Each investment we have made has given me the confidence to make these steps in our business.
“We installed an Iridesse in 2019 and with FBNZ support, we have grown the company through smart digital printing and their excellent technology and support. FBNZ has always had our best interests at heart.
“From our Iridesse and our large format to our labels and packaging production, we have developed our capability to complete niche work, and we proudly call ourselves a digital printing company. We can renew our contracts with our customers because of the quality of jobs we are doing. We are growing, but without the label press we would not be able to retain those contracts.”
Paul Thomas, graphic arts account manager at FBNZ, said, “Fivestar invested in its business through the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been impressive to see Rajesh and his team grow Fivestar from the small shop in Dominion Road to these large premises.”
Ongoing growth
Fivestar Print focuses on continuous improvement and is always customerfocused. Having added a design studio and enhanced its portfolio with corporate clients, the business recently changed its logo and branding to reflect change.
Rajesh added, “There are a lot of companies that can print but they can’t help their customers with marketing and design. We can deliver initial value to them with the speed and quality of our work, and we can add even more value to them by showing them how they can stand out. To make that happen, we need to do more than sell labels; we need to make a difference to their business.
“Diversifying our business, not sticking to the same thing, means we will do jobs of all sizes. With labels, we sit in a niche market, especially in terms of volume. With the Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press, we can do small-runs and for timeline efficiency, we can do fast turnarounds.”
