Dutch print specialist Janssen Repro, based in Nijmegen, recently purchased a printer to print directly onto (plastic) plate material. Research was done, decisions were made. But as it turned out, the printer was too big to fit through the front door. Luckily, dealer Igepa came up with a resourceful solution to make the impossible happen. Ever since then, this high-value print concept is non-stop delivering solutions to an increasing amount of Janssen Repro customers.
Pressed for time
“Honestly, we don’t even have the time for intake meetings at this point.” technical specialist Tim Tap explains. “All because of this new printer. It’s bringing in so much business that we literally have no time to waste. Luckily Janssen Repro owner Chris Janssen always spares a minute to elaborate on the investment. “It’s true, ever since we’ve installed the Mimaki printer, we’ve received so many job orders for plate printing that our order book is fully booked.” The new business comes from the existing customer base of Janssen Repro, which is mostly to be found in the construction market, where the company is rooted. Tim explains: “Whenever we show the new machine to customers, they’re genuinely impressed. They want to know all there is to be discovered.”
Construction
Janssen Repro came into existence in 1947. Chris Janssen’s father took the company reigns in 1966. At that time, it was a phototype printing company that reproduced construction drawing plans for architects. When Chris followed in his dad’s footsteps, he quickly introduced printers to the company, essentially moving the portfolio from reproduction towards large format printing.
“We realised the drawing plan business would decrease, especially with tablets servicing this market more and more. We still create drawing plans for some clients, but it’s no longer a viable segment for us.” The company now often prints these drawing plans on plate material. These construction boards are used centrally on various locations in the building project. And the Mimaki printer enables them to print these plans directly onto a PVC plate of maximum 2,5 by 1,3 meter – saving on both the sticking and plasticizing procedures.
Anything for the customer
The company still runs the “Repro” in its name, but this will change in the not too distant future. Chris Janssen explains: “The architect and construction market is increasingly demanding products we can now finally deliver thanks to the Mimaki printer. Interior applications specifically are in high demand. We’ve just finished printing an entire photo series on Perspex for a hotel. The fact that we can print directly onto plastic opens up a whole new range of opportunities for our clients, who are gratefully making the most of it.”
In Nijmegen everyone knows everyone. Mouth-to-mouth advertising is the key business development driver at Janssen Repro’s. The company invests little in promotional campaigns. Chris explains: “We believe in a low threshold. Customers just walk through the front door, explain their idea and see if and how we can realize it.”
Tim adds: “We truly de-care our people. And if something’s off in terms of resolution or colour profile, we fix it for them. There’s no need for them to worry about this. That’s the extra mile we go for them in comparison to other companies. And that’s what keeps them coming back.”
A right fit misfit
The company wanted to keep the customer service level high, not settling for less than the maximum quality of the machinery it works with.
This was a main reason to opt for the Mimaki printer. The search kicked off at Fespa Amsterdam, where the team originally set out for a small printer to add to its portfolio. But the Mimaki JFX200 UV flatbed printer immediately caught the team’s eye and would make for a better match, especially format-wise.
Tim: “We did our homework before purchasing. Jobs that would have taken us three days to complete in the past, got done in just half a day’s work with this machine.”
Decisions were made and Chris Janssen went for the bigger machine at Fespa.
The only downside was the size of the printer – there was no way to fit it through the entrance of the printing house. Impossible to squeeze 2,5 meter through an opening of 1,58 meter. Tim, however, spotted a movie where Mimaki managed to get the printer through an even smaller door. Dealer Igepa, Mimaki and the team put their heads together and opted for Rack and Roll system that would grab the machine, tilt it sideways and guided it through the door diagonally. A European first.
Satisfaction
Tim and Chris gush over the Mimaki JFX200-2513, its print quality and speed in particular. The minimal emission is an added benefit, as there is hardly any odour to be detected in the production room. Not to mention the increased customer satisfaction as they discover new opportunities each day on how to better service their clients with new and exciting products.
