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At Dennis Maps, we use a range of specialist applications and machines to produce maps, charts and many other products. “Our factory is at the cutting edge of technology,” says Roger Gilson, Operations Director at the company. “Customers can rest assured that we’ve got the best equipment to carry out their print jobs, whatever they may be.”
Pre press services
We utilise top-of-the-range technology from the very start of the print journey. Our pre press department processes artwork when it first arrives with us. There are several stages to the pre press process – a file is thoroughly checked at the first pre-flight stage; a proof is made at the second stage; and printing plates are created at the third stage (if the product will be printed on our large format litho press).
We use state-of-the-art applications and hardware in pre press, that can tackle even the most complex print jobs. Our operators work with the Kodak Prinergy Version 10 Connect Pre Press Workflow system, one of the most powerful pre press tools available to the printing industry. It allows us to colour profile all projects, in line with our ISO 12467/2 requirements. The department also benefits from a vast Mac and PC network, a Kodak Magnus VFL 5570 Platesetter, Kodak Mercury T-HD Plate Processor and the Epson P8000 Large Format Proofing Device.
Large format litho printing
Our factory is home to a KBA Rapida 162a large format litho printing press. This massive piece of machinery is perfect for printing large paper maps. A huge amount of cartographic detail can be displayed on the size of paper designed for use in the press. The KBA Rapida is more cost effective and quicker than large format digital printers for producing repeat items in large numbers. It can print as many as six colours, up to a maximum sheet size of 1200 x 1620mm, on media ranging from 70gsm paper to 400gsm board.
Large format digital printing
We also have two Canon ColorWave T65 digital print devices to carry out large format digital printing. They benefit from Océ CrystalPoint toner technology, which produces high-quality prints that dry straight away. CrystalPoint uses Océ TonerPearls instead of ink. These pearls are heated into a toner gel, which is fired onto media with incredible precision. The pearls keep their shape and give a crisp print quality, without feathering.
Our digital printers work with a wide variety of graphic arts applications, including CAD drawings, canvas prints, maps and charts, self-adhesive films, and posters. A range of material, such as plain paper, poster paper, specialised map paper, recycled paper, self-adhesive film, canvas or Tyvek (waterproof and tear proof media), can also be used in the printers.
Small format digital printing
We might be known for our large format printing services, but we offer small format digital printing too. Our Ricoh C7500 Pro printer can print a wide range of products, up to 450mm x 320mm (SRA 3). We offer a flexible service that’s a cost-effective choice if you only require a small print run. The Ricoh C7500 Pro prints quickly and offers a print quality comparable to litho. It can handle a range of material weights – up to 360gsm – with ease. We’ve used it to print countless flyers, pocket size maps, small posters or business cards. And it’s capable of printing much more too. If you have something else in mind, get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.
The finishing touches
Our team’s expertise is crucial throughout every step of the printing process, but particularly when it comes to map finishing. This is a very specialised process that many large format printers don’t offer. At this stage, we transform printed maps into the final product using a range of specialist machines, manual equipment and hand finishing.
We’re proud that our tools are the most comprehensive in the UK. When finishing a map, the first thing we do is trim it using our Schneider Senator 137H CT Guillotine (with auto waste removal and full ancillary equipment) or Schneider Senator 155 TCV Guillotine. Our factory also has four specialised map folding machines, giving you the choice of a huge variety of fold configurations. We have the Stahl GD 142 T specialised map folding machine (2/2,5/5 + knife unit) and the Stahl GF 142 BGL specialised map folding machine (2/2,5/5 + knife unit). They’re the only two of their type in the UK. We use the MBO T-130 Large Format Folding Machine and the MBO T-800 Medium Format Folding Machine to fold maps too, and some maps are hand folded by our team.
In addition, we offer lamination for maps with a separate cover, using our Billhoefer 102 lamination machine. This can give a matt or gloss effect finish. The next stage of the finishing process is die cutting and creasing the map cover to fold it into its final size. We do this with one of our Heidelberg SBG Cylinder machines. Then it’s the exciting part! We join the map cover to the folded map, using our CMC Map finishing machine. Incredibly, it’s one of only two in the world. We also provide an encapsulation service to create waterproof and tear proof maps. Our team use either a Galaxy 1100 Map Encapsulation Line or Galaxy 540 Map Cover Encapsulation Line to add this protective film to maps.
At Dennis Maps, cutting-edge technology and staff expertise combine to provide an outstanding service to our customers.
Dennis Maps is one of the leading map printers in the world, producing more than two million maps and charts every year. We offer comprehensive pre-press services, large format print solutions using both large format litho printing and large format digital print technologies, plus specialised map folding and map finishing techniques.