Johnson & Quin adds to 140+ years of innovation with latest SCREEN Truepress Jet high-speed inkjet press

June 5, 2018

With over 140 years in the printing business, Johnson & Quin has proven that innovation is key to staying ahead of the competition. And yet, while new technologies can add capabilities and open new markets, the progressive direct mail services provider also knows the value of trusted partnerships.

As such, Johnson & Quin is looking forward to both growing its partnership with SCREEN Americas and adding new solutions with the early summer installation of the new Truepress Jet520NX inkjet press, its second high-speed solution from the long-time graphic arts equipment manufacturer in just 3 years.

Johnson & Quin’s executive vice president, Bob Arkema, explains: “We installed SCREEN’s Truepress Jet520ZZ 3 years ago, which revolutionized direct mail production for J&Q and our clients. It has enabled us to provide high quality personalization in color, combine versions in one print run, decrease postage and production costs and reduce schedules for our clients.”

“Now, with the new NX, we can offer high quality color personalization on heavier 12 pt paper stocks for postcards and self mailers,” he said.

Johnson & Quin has a history of embracing new technology since its founding in Chicago in 1876 as a book manufacturer and book binder. Adapting to the changing needs of the marketplace, the company was the first to offer laser printing capabilities to the Midwest in 1979, helping transform Johnson & Quin into a full service direct mail production company.

Acquiring its first SCREEN high-speed inkjet printing system in late 2014, the company employed the Truepress Jet520ZZ to deliver personalized direct mail in one printing step, benefiting its customers with shortened turnaround times, postage savings and unlimited versioning for highly targeted, quality communications.

“By adding the new SCREEN Truepress Jet520NX,” Andrew Henkel, Johnson & Quin’s vice president of sales, said, “the production options we can now provide for our clients’ direct mail programs expands exponentially, especially with an expanded range of stock weights. Plus the NX features an extra printhead that enables us to produce MICR security printing for our financial services clients so we can generate check letters in variable four-color to draw extra attention to their promotions. In fact, we are the first NX installation in North America with that capability.”

The Truepress Jet520NX features class-leading 5-inch printhead modules that deliver speeds up to 492 feet per minute and resolution up to a planned 600 x 1200 dpi for offset-rivaling quality. The system also boasts a unique “Xross-Over” printhead configuration that optimizes the press for both monochrome and full color printing for unmatched flexibility. The CMY printheads may be “parked” when printing monochrome to reduce ink consumption. And, in addition to MICR applications, the extra printhead also can be used to print a fifth color or other specific function inks.

Arkema summed up how Johnson & Quin sees the integration of their newest SCREEN technology. “At Johnson & Quin we continually research the latest print and mailing technologies to enhance our direct mail production capabilities, lower costs and provide clients with response generating format ideas. Our staff quickly learns how to maximize new technology and equipment to offer and educate our marketing clients on how to best produce their direct mail to enhance results and profitability.”