Koral Graphics installs SHINOHARA 66 in a new production setup

Koral: The Printing Company—this is the name of the Kochi-based Koral Graphics’ new production division designed for newly adopted SHINOHARA 66 sheet-fed offset press. In an exclusive chat with Print & Publishing, Shaji Antony of Koral Graphics narrates about the landmark adoption of the offset press and plans ahead. Ever since their two years of association with Monotech Systems, a leading distributor of a string of global brands of machines and technologies in India, Koral Graphics keeps intensifying its production facilities with constant installations of high-end machines, such as SHINOHARA 66. Asked why they decided on this press, Shaji Antony replied, “After we conducted a market research in pursuit of a right offset press, this machine turned out to be the right choice for our requirements in quality and production volume.” He added that they would like to venture into offset printing in a broader way with SHINOHARA 66.

Humble beginning

Establishment of Koral Graphics is dated back to 15 years when Shaji Antony, along with two of his associates, incepted the company from a very scratch level. In the year 2005, it was just a lonesome Xerox DC 5252 in the company’s production facility. The facility gradually upgraded with the addition of another Xerox machine (WC 238), an Autoprint offset press and others, one after another in the subsequent years. A quantum leap in the infrastructure garnered when two new RICOH production machines were added into the portfolio. Adoption of the RICOH Pro C 751 (colour) and RICOH Pro 901 EX (black & white) marked a big intensification towards the company’s digital front.

Prior to SHINOHARA 66, Monotech Systems supplied Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C8000 to Koral Graphics. Monotech Systems is the national partner with Konica Minolta Business Solutions for the distributorship of the latter’s production printing solutions. On the accretion of presses (digital and offset) of varied configurations and models in their machine portfolio, Shaji justified that the company’s job profile is utterly diverse for customers of all sorts with varied run lengths. In this, KM bizhub PRESS C8000 is compatible with thicker media upto 350 gsm in excellent turn-around time.

Offset front

“We have done quite a lot in the digital domain right from our beginning; now we are focusing on ‘offset’ arena using this newly adopted SHINOHARA 66,” asserted Shaji Antony, adding that they have now set foot forward to produce finest textured graphics for their clients dealing in high-end print products. Koral Graphics has been associated with a horde of clients based in Alleppey—one of Kerala’s most sought after backwaters tourism spots. “We’ve been closely working for various projects of Kerala Tourism, producing high quality products, such as guidebooks, pamphlets, brochures, cards, among others. In this, a number of agents based in Alleppey form a major chunk in our client list,” said Shaji.

Main mission of Koral Graphics, with the adoption of SHINOHARA 66 and unveiling of the new division (Koral: The Printing Company), is to move on the ‘offset’ front aggressively. For the new venture, Shaji has full assurance over the competency and proficiency of the sheet-fed offset machine, which features work profile suitable for SRA2 format. This added feature (SRA2 format) of the press ensures saving in comparison to common B2 format.

SHINOHARA 66 is engineered with all ultra-modern features of an offset press, which include CIP integration, preset inking and much more, making this highly-automated machine suitable for shorter run jobs. Included among the unique features of the press are perfecting versions in a variety of configurations. With aqueous and UV coating options as well as IR drying option, a fully-loaded SHINOHARA 66 press can churn up to 17,000 sheets per hour and it effortlessly handles stock of up to 400 gsm. The press is characterised with medium or high pile option. And other added features of the machine include ink temperature control option (TCPS), Shinohara pre and deinking software (SPIS) and Shinohara colour control station option (SCCS) for closed loop spectral colour control. Moreover, SHINOHARA 66 features a suction belt in the feeder system to ensure sheets proceeding smoothly over the feed board to the printing unit.

Contribution to the overall vigour behind the company’s success is its team of 35 highly-trained professionals. The team has now been segregated as 12 staffers are deputed to look after the newly extended division (Koral: The Printing Company), set on an area of 5500 sq ft.

Shaji decisively said that they are just at a new threshold of offset printing with SHINOHARA 66 with further plans to carve a bigger pathway into the venture ahead.