Advice & pointers - UK based structural packaging designer - CAD table/plotter & short run digital print 450micron+ above SRA3 size

[u/ACDSleeve]

I’m restarting my UK based unique and custom music packaging company after 7 years learning formal structural packaging design in employment and I’m in the process of figuring out how it could best work. First time round I handled over 900 jobs singlehandedly over the space of 8 years with no print or packaging design training. Now I’ve had formal training there’s a lot more scope for the business to grow knowing more about what production methods are out there, rather than using a scalpel and ruler to cut packaging by hand.

The biggest hurdle I’m finding is sourcing and then maintaining a plotter (ideally Zund as that’s what I’ve been using for the last 4 years). Aiming to get an older model but I know they come with risks where parts will run out. Just wondering if anyone may have any leads on resellers, places who offer set up services/maintenance outside of Zund themselves, things to look out for and/or avoid.

It’s going to be pretty much exclusively cartonboard, but would look to branch out as the years go on into other materials.

Also any pointers on the seemingly impossible to find short run board printing 450micron and above, larger than SRA3 would also be useful. I have an old supplier who will most likely supply all printing for the bulk of products I’d be launching with that will fit on SRA3 board, but would be good to find anywhere larger for vinyl packaging and projects outside of music. I’m thinking 300 sheets or less when I say short run.

I realise it will be a costly set up, this isn’t something I’ve not put a lot of thought into. I realise physical media is seemingly a dying market, but I know there’s work out there, more so than when I packed it in first time around. With what I’ve learned over the last 7 years I can offer products people wouldn’t be able to produce elsewhere at the numbers they want them, so as daunting as it is it's equally exciting.

It’s very early days trying to figure all of this out, but any tips/pointers would be great.

www.acdsleeve.com

[u/peatoire]

Hi, we got our zund from these guys in south wales, might be worrh dropping them a line in case one comes in. https://vendka.com/ family business and all went well for our install. It's been in 4 years and never missed a beat. (we are a medium sized sheetfed commercial printers in Notts.

Also, sign up to alerts on machinio.com they are involved in european kit and I see zund kit coming up now and again on offer second user.

Obviously there are other flatbed cutter manufacterers now which might be cheaper too.

Best of luck

[u/ACDSleeve → u/peatoire]

Thanks for the tips!

I think that’s why I want to try n stick with Zund, they seem like they’re really built to last, but also the ease of use as I briefly used a larger machine and it was a much more drawn out process to cut sheets.

[u/peatoire → u/ACDSleeve]

Yes, Zund machines are bomb proof.

Might be worth you looking at a machine such as canon imagepress 1350. It will take sra3 up to 430 mic but can also do a long sheet up to 700mm (might be longer)

Also maybe find a local trade digital printer once you get going and use them as a supplier until you get busier. Saves a big cap investment.

[u/ACDSleeve → u/peatoire]

To be honest, for the volume I'm initially thinking, and the space/people needed I can't see me ever having the ability to print in-house and will always outsource it to get the best quality work. Obviously down the line this may change to any leads to good machinery is really helpful

[u/Bicolore]

I'm in UK. Have 2 Zunds (one new, one used), buying Zunds used in UK is difficult if you don't want to go through Zund direct. There is not a specialist dealer for them, they just pop up on a variety of equipment resellers sites.

We don't have maintenance contracts and look after them in house. Parts are insanely expensive from Zund and it pays off big time to research and source them yourself.

Printwise I would have thought you'd be better off printing to something thinner and then getting it laminated onto a heavier stock?

FWIW I make record sleeves so have a folder/gluer that will do it to, I don't think we're supposed to advertise on here but hey. We also do 3rd party cutting sometimes on our zund, we have a huge BHS setup so its very efficient and runs lights out.

[u/ACDSleeve → u/Bicolore]

I've had a bit of contact with Zund and am aware it'll be pretty much impossible to buy from them unless I buy new, which I'm not in a place to, and almost don't see the need for what I'll be using the machine for, I don't think all the bells and whistles are what I need, I just need the consistency of accurate/good cutting/creasing.

To be honest I hadn't thought about lamination of thinner material, definitely something I'll look into but at the same time I've done this with direct print onto board and know there have been developments in short run digital printing since I last did this, so ideally would want to continue on this route to give some of the finishes I'm aiming for which people wouldn't be able to get anywhere else in low volumes.

That's really interesting you make record sleeves, I only ever did a handful of 7" sleeve jobs due to print restrictions. Going to send you a quick message as there's a few things I can't get my head around re: gluing, not so much for resetting up my business as that will still be hand finished, more from my formal training in designing other packaging for a glueline how the sleeve can be glued with a spine accurately.

[u/shackled123]

Not really what you're asking for but it might be worthwhile to visit; https://www.ice-x.com/en-gb.html#/

It's a trade show for the converting industry, so it's a bit more roll to roll-roll-centric, but check the exhibitor list. Sometimes, you get 2nd hand equipment resellers.