Konica Minolta India redefines digital printing with new game-changing AccurioPress

Accurio is not merely a brand but a ‘concept’ that Konica Minolta has developed, bringing a fresh vitality into digital printing. AccurioPress 2060 and AccurioPress 2070 are two models being introduced in the Indian market. Yoshinori Koide, EGM-Business Strategy & Project Management Business Planning Division and Manish Gupta, national manager, PP & IP Business Marketing, Konica Minolta India, talk about the prospects and potentials of the new machines and more in conversation with Jyaneswar Laishram from Print & Publishing.

Konica Minolta India’s introduction of two AccurioPress machines—AccurioPress 2060 and AccurioPress 2070—has set new standards for combining superior performance and value in print quality. Derived its name from the word accurate, this new AccurioPress Series is designed with advanced workflow and colour management tools that can fine-tune accuracy, keeping cost of production down. AccurioPress 2060 and AccurioPress 2070 are upgraded from bizhub PRESS C1060 and bizhub PRESS C1070.

Upgraded features

“Compared to the bizhub predecessors, AccurioPress 2060 and AccurioPress 2070 have some upgraded features in terms of printing and functionality. These new digital presses are versatile in several verticals, including printing on bold media options. There are two key upgrades in the new AccurioPress. First, the new digital presses can take up heavy paper stocks up to 350 gsm; and secondly, the systems have equipped with advanced LU-202XL paper tray,” explains Manish Gupta. These presses are faster in envelope printing with variety of configurations.

Mention of the advanced features of AccurioPress presses may include Konica Minolta’s own robust finishing options as well as Plockmatic booklet maker. Capable to deliver high-end print graphics, this new series can deliver quality prints for book jackets, tri-fold brochures, posters and more. On-demand jobs are churned on these presses at 71/61 colour pages/min, delivering singular image in 1200 x 1200 dpi x 8 bit full colour resolution. In the book printing arena, these presses are suitable for producing completely finished, professional saddle-stitched or perfect bound books.

Manish says those who will be getting new benefit with the introduction of AccurioPress include reprographic centres, print shops and other establishments that indulge in commercial printing. “These new, comprehensive and fully-modular digital presses can maximise outputs, minimise labour and cost,” he explicates, adding that the systems make everything faster, easier and simpler. Moreover, the systems are suitably designed for fast short-run jobs as well as prototypes for packaging firms.

On MGI front

On the other side, Konica Minolta’s partnership with MGI has been gaining new ground in the packaging and special graphic segment. “Concerning our MGI profile, we are looking forward to expanding it with addition of new models, such as JETvarnish 3D Evolution for B1+ format, which offer commercial printing firms a full range of production environments and post-press applications,” explains Yoshinori Koide. Citing 2016 as the year of success for Konica Minolta, he says they had scored five installations of MGI systems in India till last year. Among the five MGI adopters in India, one is a big player in the packaging sector.

“Spot varnishing in post-press stage was quite a tedious job, which used to take days to complete a simple application. But today, with the advent of advanced systems, like MGI, things get easier and simpler as those applications that consumed days earlier can now be done in a day or two,” explains Manish. In this aspect, Yoshinori adds they are now chalking out plan to gradually expand the MGI portfolio and customer base in the segment.

Future strategies

Manish Gupta and Yoshinori KoideMGI products, according to Yoshinori, are receiving a new momentum of demand in the Indian market. “We were a bit laid back for a few months last winter due to the outburst of demonetisation move all out of blue,” Yoshinori says, adding that 20 percent of their business dipped during the economic slowdown as their customers were upset because it all happened during the festive seasons. Though they had recovered from the crisis swiftly, within a month or two, it hampered them for some time, he said.

As long as magnification of their product portfolio is concerned, Yoshinori says they will give equal focus on all parameters of their product line comprising MGI, digital press line, and the most awaited KM-1. “We believe the growth in digital segment will gain a new momentum, let’s say, in the next three years down the line—which is why we have brought the new AccurioPress Series into our portfolio,” he says, adding, “What is on the card for us now is the formal launch of KM-1 in the Indian market.

“Besides making the KM-1 available in the Indian market, we have a string of tasks to be worked upon in connection to the launch of this mega machine, which may primarily include logistics, after-sale service and such activities,” says Yoshinori. Observing the current technology trend, he says both offset and digital will stay side-by-side and these two technologies have to complement each other. He further observes that it has not been just in the digital press arena where innovations are popping up; even the offset technologies nowadays become more responsive and resourceful than before.

Suggestive notes

Manish says Konica Minolta India wishes everyone around to tap the opportunity surfacing in this phase of digital transition in the industry. In a similar tone, Yoshinori conveys that digital is a new game-changer posing as a complement or a partner to offset. “Nothing could beat digital presses when it comes to short-run jobs, and label printing is another domain where digital presses rule,” he affirms. Konica Minolta had recently unpacked bizhub PRESS C71cf, an optimum digital press for label converters.