New CTP lines at Pressgrannar are backed up by 24/7 support, rarely needed but “a reassurance” for the Swedish newspaper printer.

Problems that cause downtime are rare, but the secure arrangement also provides a short path to developers and system technicians, if needed, prepress head Jonny Björk says.

The encouraging investment is backed by a belief in the power of print that is “more than a statement”; rather it’s a strategy backed by confidence that print remains a vital and trusted medium.

Part of NTM Media, the company operates at Linköping and Luleå, printing daily newspapers, magazines and niche publications for about 60 customers

Its activities also include audio production, advertising, marketing, telecom and ecommerce.

A manroland Regioman coldset press installed in 2011 prints up to 96 pages in a flexible one-around double-width format at up to 75,000 cph, operating on two shifts. Two new ECO3 Advantage N-PL HS CTP systems allow automatic plate loading – using full pallets of plates – and integrated processing, a “very convenient and ergonomic solution” that saves a lot of back strain, according the prepress operator Markus Blohm.

The new lines produce around 600 plates daily – each marked with QR codes for accurate placement in the press – at up to 180 plates per hour, using an Arkitex workflow.

Björk says the company continues to grow by expanding external work, and plans to grow further: “We want to be a printing company that lasts.

“There is quite a negative tone surrounding newspapers and newspaper production but we don't really recognise ourselves in that. Fundamentally, we believe in print.”

Pictured: Markus Blohm (left) and Jonny Björkär

With thanks to ECO3