National Flexible invests in GMG proofing

Based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, the company’s 40 employees support blue-chip clients such as Nestlé, Unilever and Reckitt Benckiser by providing flexo, gravure and digitally printed packaging films via a global network of print partners.

GMG FlexoProof is a digital proofing and calibration system specifically designed for the packaging and label printing industries. Featuring halftone digital proofing of flexographic and packaging print jobs, FlexoProof ensures accurate and consistent proofing output regardless of print device, color space or substrate.

‘Prior to using GMG we were reliant on the individual repro companies producing the proofs, which we would then forward to the client,’ said Andy Smith, National Flexible’s marketing manager. ‘We were looking at ways of reducing the lead time to produce a contract proof, centralizing our proofing requirements across all the various substrates and print types that we provide, as well as looking into how we can reduce proof production costs. It quickly became clear to us that GMG FlexoProof could address all of those needs.’

He added: ‘One of the reasons that we chose GMG was because it is seen as an internationally-recognized standard in color accuracy, not just for packaging but in the commercial print sector too. We wanted a proofing solution that was known within the industry and would be recognized by our printers as much as our customers.’

Today, much of National Flexible’s proofing workflow is within a remote proofing environment. “The repro companies and printers can send the files directly to our GMG server, where they are optimized and output. This allows us to reduce proofing lead times for our clients, centralize our proofing quality and consistency, as well as reduce our direct proofing costs. As a company we need to demonstrate where our added-value lies. One of the ways that we do that is by reducing client print production costs, while at the same time offering a higher level of service and a faster delivery.’

Smith sees today’s need for faster production as being at odds with much of how the packaging production industry is built. ‘Our clients are continually looking for faster turnarounds and shorter lead times, not just for print but also for the supply of the substrates. We’ve been very successful in being able to meet such client demands by combining substrate inventory management with centralized in-house proofing. The ability for us to take days – if not weeks – out of the process provides clear benefits to us as well as our clients.’

Toby Burnett, GMG UK managing director, added: ‘National Flexible is a great example of how to provide real world added-value by centrally managing proofing production.’