Springfield Solutions - Kingston-upon-Hull, UK (Label Printer)

Enhancing Brands in a Very Colourful Way

Springfield Solutions produces high-quality, short-run labels for the European consumer goods market. Hi-Colour, the company’s 'total process solution' uses :GrandSherpa for proofing. Spectral measurements were taken with :SpectraSpot, and the :GrandSherpa proofs became the new standard for proofs at Springfield Solutions and Impress Metal Packaging.

Label Producer Takes a Lead in Improving Processes for Exceptional Package Decoration

In the words of Springfield Solutions' management team, the benefits of vibrant colours on consumer products are "shelf evident."

The UK-based reprographics and label printer cites studies that show how consumers make purchasing decisions in less than three seconds, and that most are drawn to richer-looking packaging decorations. Being able to print and proof a full spectrum of colours on metal is a great way to attract attention. A recent co-operative venture between Springfield Solutions, Impress Metal Packaging, and Agfa, turned that goal into a reality. Combining Springfield's Hi-fidelity ink system and colour management expertise with the packaging decoration know-how of Impress Metal Packaging and the advanced proofing capabilities of Agfa's :Grand Sherpa, the power of high-impact metal label printing has, indeed, become "shelf-evident."

New Business

Springfield Solutions began operating in the 1970s as a specialist in reprographics. From its headquarters in Kingston-upon-Hull, their reprographic business performed well, giving them the flexibility to assess other needs and opportunities within the printing industry. Springfield management identified specific market opportunities within the crowded label printing market and made the strategic decision to diversify its business interests and to become specialists in high quality, short-run label production.

New Solutions

Today, Springfield Solutions has 80 employees, handles a workload that is one of the busiest of any company in the field, and has a continuing track record of making technological progress. As much as any other strength, it is technological progress that helps maintain its position as a leader in packaging solutions for many European brands of consumer products. Through capital investment, selective acquisitions, and effective cross-functional teams, Springfield Solutions meets all challenges by identifying new ways to address them, and implementing the proper teamwork to make it happen. For example, the Hi-Colour system is a total process incorporating design, prepress, colour management and printing, designed for the unique needs of their packaging activities. Their specialised screening technique ensures consistent colour from print run to print run, and from printing facility to printing facility. Cost and time savings are built in, and the process eliminates the need to run additional spot colours.

The proofing component of the colour managed system is accomplished with Agfa's :Grand Sherpa, a proofer with 1440x1440 dpi resolution, variable dot size, 8-colour capacity, and 2-minute print speed to produce the quickest, highest-quality contract proofs.

There remained however a level of "healthy concern" that the :Grand Sherpa could be not used as a proofing devise for metal packaging. So in the spring of 2005, meetings were held between Springfield Solutions, Impress Metal Packaging and Agfa to resolve the issue one way or other. The technical cooperation between the three parties was magnificent, allowing true proofing breakthroughs to be made.

Based on the spectral measurements taken with Agfa's SpectraSpot application, matching proofs on the :Grand Sherpa were accepted by both Springfield Solutions and Impress Metal Packaging as a new standard way of making proofs for metal printing applications.

New Successes

"We are very pleased with the quality of the proofs we are outputting," says Dass. "The teamwork between Agfa, Impress and Springfield Solutions has been exceptional, and pivotal in delivering the greatest results. The :Grand Sherpa is now a central feature of our internal colour management and is fulfilling the contract proofing requirements of many of our customers."

There are likely to be other technological advances in the near future with which Springfield Solutions will be involved, either directly as the primary innovator or as part of other effective strategic alliances. That is part of their commitment to the market and to their customers. As they have proved many times in the past, their ability to evolve with the demanding consumer product marketplace is clearly self-evident.