ITE Debuts Rapid, Eclipse and Com-Press at DRUPA

For those involved in the printing equipment industry, DRUPA is without doubt one of the most important exhibitions in the calendar. For Impression Technology Europe (ITE) however it is a landmark event. Exhibiting for the first time at this prestigious show, ITE will be showcasing not only the groundbreaking Rapid Digital Label System powered by Memjet but will also be giving its world debut to the new Eclipse LF3 digital cutter and the revolutionary ComPress LP4 LED Dry Toner Printing System.
Although not new to the industry the Rapid Label System will make its first appearance at DRUPA and, from the experience to date, it is certain to maintain its impact. These inline digital ink jet label printers have opened up the short run label market in a way that hasn’t been seen before. Utilising the Memjet print head the machines can deliver 744,000,000 drops of ink per second through the 70,400 nozzles resulting in high quality labels delivered at speeds of up to 18 metres per minute. The system’s advantage does not stop there however because, as it is driven from a standard PC, each print can be individual making it ideal for producing variable data labels used in, for instance, stock control or tracking. Available in two models, the table top X1 and the larger floor standing X2, the low capital outlay combined with the high quality and speedy production make the Rapid an attractive product.
It goes without saying that ITE are excited about having Rapid at the show but they have yet another first for DRUPA. Designed and developed by ITE in the UK , the Eclipse LF3 digital cutter provides a post finishing solution that perfectly complements the Rapid printers. Although unprinted media can be cut prior to printing, labels printed on continuous media can also be both laminated and kiss cut and all at an economic price. Web widths of between 50mm and 220mm can be processed. Working from a single registration point, the machine will handle roll core sizes up to 76mm and a maximum roll diameter of 305mm. The unit also incorporates waste matrix removable and a rewind roller. Although full details are still to be released, ITE has indicated that this new addition will match the Rapid price philosophy of offering economic prices and fast pay back times. According to ITE Managing Director Roy Burton, “Combining this machine with one of the Rapid printers brings a low cost solution to lower volume print runs”.
The ComPress LP4 is aimed at providing low cost, digital label, envelope/sheet feeding print and finishing solutions for small to medium production requirements. The emphasis is firmly on efficiency and cost effectiveness in production short runs. The ComPress modular system will perfectly complement the Rapid System offering users greater options to suit their requirements.
Impression Technology Europe are experts at bringing technology to the market and with the Rapid range, the Eclipse and the ComPress they will certainly be making a mark in the label printing sectors just as they have done in the garment decoration market. ITE will also have their range of DTG digital direct to garment printers, including the recently launched M Series, on display at DRUPA. For more information about ITE or the products they supply or to find your nearest distributor call them on +44 1623 861173 or e-mail them at info@impressiontechnologyeurope.com. You can link to the both the Rapid and DTG web sites by visiting www.impressiontechnologyeurope.com

Rapid is a name that has quickly becoming synonymous with label printing in Europe thanks to the efforts of the team at Impression Technology Europe (ITE). With their market expanding at the rate it is it was considered to be the right time to augment the UK part of the team with a bit of local knowledge and this has prompted the arrival of Nottinghamshire based Steve Whitby.
Steve has worked in and around print for all of his working life. In fact he started earlier than that as he had a printing press running before he left school. His knowledge is vast and expands way beyond the confines of the narrow web field. Starting in the print room at Boots he learnt his trade using the older methods which today are more or less non-existent. He said “The knowledge I gained learning about those older methods is something that people coming into the industry today won’t benefit from. I believe that I learnt far more about the how and why of printing than today’s young apprentices will. There is no doubt that ‘digital’ is the future and I know we can’t turn the clock back but there is still something to be said about understanding the thinking and technique behind the old Caxton based techniques”. When the print set-up at Boots was sold to Field Group 93, Steve moved with the company and worked his way up to become Technical Support Manager for all flexo production covering the whole of UK as well as Europe. When asked what tempted him to join the ITE team Steve said “Initially I was intrigued to see a local company supplying the industry so I went along to a meeting with Roy Burton (MD of ITE). Once I heard about what Rapid had developed and experienced the amazing energy and enthusiasm of Roy, I was keen to get on board. I find the product really exciting and I believed from the start that it would compete well, even though this sector is already quite competitive. Rapid machines have a lot of advantages and I am keen to demonstrate that to the market”
With the sort of experience Steve has he is naturally a welcome addition to the team. Roy Burton commented “The criteria we work under her at ITE is ‘Service’. We always ensure that our quality of knowledge and service matches the quality of the product. Having people like Steve on board helps us to achieve that goal”.
Steve will cover the UK selling and supporting the Rapid product so if would like more information about the machines or to arrange a meeting to discuss your future requirements call ITE on 01623 861173 or e-mail them at info@impressiontechnologyeurope.com. To find out more about the Rapid range of machines visit www.rapidlabelsystemseurope.com