The print environment has changed since the Internet revolution began and as new mediums progress, printers are realizing the need to take advantage of emerging technologies to find a way to survive in the virtual world of print. Laser Image Corporate Printing, located in Durham, North Carolina, has embraced digital printing technology providing fully digital, print-on-demand documentation services to their customers. 

Shawn Gibbs, Production Manager
Laser Image Corporate Printing

In a competitive industry filled with high-volume printing conglomerates, Laser Image fills a niche by producing innovative materials quicker, at reasonable prices and in practical quantities. “We produce all of our products in useable quantities and typically in a matter of a few days,” explained Shawn Gibbs, production manager for Laser Image. With digital technology, Laser Image is able to customize a full range of materials that can be fine-tuned to each customer. 

Because of this growing niche, Laser Image is constantly challenged to work within the varying file types their clients provide and likewise produce a wide range of customized projects.  With this in mind, Laser Image needed to upgrade their print capabilities with an ink jet machine that could keep up with each client’s unique requests. After researching the industry, they bypassed other printing vendors in favor of Bell and Howell and their Printegrity printing system. Gibbs stated, “We chose them over competing companies because they had the most experience in the industry. We knew Bell and Howell would carry us into the future.”

Solid engineering with robust performance

According to Gibbs, another primary motivator in choosing Bell and Howell was the solid engineering inherent to their products. “They demonstrated that the Printegrity software could import most types of database file formats, as well as provide capabilities for validation and pre-sort. The flexible features of the machine drove the purchase,” recalled Gibbs. “It is a robust system and we knew the engineering staff at Bell and Howell would take care of us,” said Gibbs.

Engineers at Bell and Howell identified the need for a tray break to be included on the machine. Knowing this equipment would be important for handling the unique printing capabilities Laser Image required, Bell and Howell added the tray break to the printer, then quickly installed the device to ultimately help Laser Image’s operations. Gibbs offered, “We like the way they took proactive steps to identify our production needs and adapt the machine’s capabilities before they delivered the equipment to us. They were focused on ensuring that our system could handle our needs now and in the future. Our new Printegrity machine was up and running in a few days.”

The Printegrity machine was installed in July 2007 and training was provided by Bell and Howell 's site engineer, project manager and local service technician. Gibbs asserted, “The installation was much quicker than we have ever experienced, the training was excellent, and it has made the lives of our employees so much easier. Bell and Howell is unique in this industry because they provide an onsite technician and answer our service questions promptly. Because we are a fast turn-around shop, we need that same response time to serve our customers well. Bell and Howell understands that urgency and gets in touch with us on the spot.”

Increasing capabilities and productivity

In just six months, Laser Image has already noticed significant improvements in production. “The Printegrity machine has expanded the dimensions of the pieces we can produce, giving us a greater range of products to offer our customers,” said Gibbs. Laser Image has built its success on staying true to its mission to improve productivity and give clients faster access to better products. Gibbs remarked, “Bell and Howell is a natural fit for us because the company’s products help us deliver on our company’s mission every day. Bell and Howell is a true partner.”