A lot has happened in the last quarter-century since the folks at Commerce Printing Services went into business. The printing industry has undergone massive changes. Today's offset printer faces a number of challenges and as a result, has had to adapt working practices. Customers demand that printers adhere to the most sustainable and ecological-friendly methods without sacrificing quality and efficiency.
Switching to Eco-Friendly Printing
Commerce Printing Services was established in Sacramento, California in 1988 and produces high-quality direct mail, political printing, books, catalogs, manuals, programs, directories, publications, annual reports and more. Commerce attributes its success to its ability to continually expand services to meet the growing needs of its customers. When customers began asking the company to reduce its environmental impact, Commerce responded by finding ways to be a more sustainable printer. It didn't take long for the company to adopt a mission of living green and printing green. For example, Commerce's printing processes use soy-based ink, FSC Certified paper' and Greenergy®.
Making the Switch
For most of its history, Commerce Printing Services has successfully relied on Agfa Graphics to supply products and services that support customer objectives. As Commerce was looking to become more sustainable, Agfa suggested switching from their current CtP plate to Azura TS chemistry-free thermal plates. Azura TS plates offer simplified plate making due to advanced ThermoFuse™ technology which requires no chemical processing. Commerce discovered that the plates are easy to handle and provide reliable, consistent and high quality results. Best of all, Azura offered Commerce a more sustainable solution and eliminated the variables of conventional CtP plate making.
Easy to Learn
The best part for Commerce Printing Services about switching from traditional offset plates to chemistry-free Azura TS was the learning curve. The transition to the new plates was simple and easy.
"Our process didn't change much, but there were fewer steps, so the transition was easy.
Our Agfa team provided expert guidance that made our staff more comfortable," said Gil Caravantes, owner of Commerce Printing.
Cleanup is also faster for Commerce thanks to the lack of chemicals. Caravantes added that overall, "the printing process has greatly improved."
"The Azura system reliably produces a fast and consistent plate," Caravantes said. "We are able to print a better, more precise dot at a higher screen value producing a higher quality print."
Customers Love It
The various business magazines, health care providers, schools and other customers were thrilled with Commerce's move to be more eco-friendly, but what pleased them most were the results they saw on paper.
"Quality and reliability go a long way in providing piece of mind to clients," Caravantes said. "Consistency in color and fast, accurate make-readies on press checks equal happy customers."
Clean and Green
Commerce Printing Services was recently certified as an Agfa Graphics GreenWorks member. GreenWorks recognizes companies in the graphics communications industry that are committed to reducing their environmental impact. In addition to using the Azura TS chemistry-free plate system, Commerce Printing Services' state-of-the-art press room uses 100% Greenergy®, thereby achieving one of the lowest carbon footprints in the Sacramento market.
As a leader in environmental responsibility, it was only natural that Agfa Graphics chose to celebrate Commerce at the Azura 10 Years of Innovation anniversary taking place on July 28, 2015.
"Commerce Printing Services is an outstanding example of a commercial printer committed to its customers and the environment," stated Dave Carey, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Agfa Graphics North America. "We will be working with Commerce for many years to come and providing new technologies that meet both our organizations' sustainability goals."
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