frequently asked questions

These questions and answers explain more about Artisan, web offset printing, and how we can help your business. If you can't find the information you need, please contact us.

What is The Artisan Way?

What makes Artisan your first choice?

What facilities does Artisan offer?

Is Artisan a member of any trade body?

What makes Artisan a first-choice printer?

What is CTP?

What digital data and media are preferred by Artisan?

What about Artisan's environmental policy?

How long has Artisan been in business?

What is The Artisan Way?
The Artisan Way is our unique company philosophy, based on leadership, teamwork, commitment and vision. It means unswerving dedication to quality, at every stage of the production process. It means listening to customers, so we can deliver exactly what you need, and when you need it. It means working together so we can exceed your expectations. And it means investing in our people and facilities, ensuring that we can always offer you world-leading, cost-efficient processes.

What makes Artisan your first choice?
We have particular expertise in travel, retail and mail order catalogues, as well as magazine printing.

What facilities does Artisan offer?
We provide the complete web offset printing service.
In the last three years, we have invested in three Heidelberg M3000 gapless Sunday presses, two five-unit M600 presses with sheeter and varnishing capabilities, capable of producing 4 and 8 page folded sections. In our adhesive bindery, we operate a 30-station Muller Martini Corona adhesive binder, with twin milling stations, aligned with two trimmers running directly into automatic palletisers for maximum productivity. Our CTP (Computer to Plate) facility makes digital workflow a reality, with two CreoScitex Lotem XLs, Brisque workflow and two IrisWide inkjet proofers. We also offer inserting and inkjetting capabilities.

Is Artisan a member of any trade body?
Artisan is a member of the Periodical Publishers' Association (PPA).

What makes Artisan a first-choice printer?
Above all, our commitment to our customers. We invest in the latest technology and training programmes, so you can be sure of the best solution, delivered on time, and for the right price. We work a 24-hour production cycle, and our purpose-built facilities guarantee the smoothest possible workflow from start to finish.

What is CTP?
Computer to Plate (CTP) technology eliminates film from the printing process.
CTP is a critical step in achieving digital workflow - images are created by first generation data, providing faster, superior reproduction. We aim to be running an almost exclusively digital operation by early 2002.

What digital data and media are preferred by Artisan?
Scitex Brisque is preferred. Other acceptable pre-ripped files are Tiff It P1. Postscript and PDFs are also acceptable, when written to the correct specification, available on request. We can also work from QuarkXPress, high resolution images (300dpi) CMYK or transparencies. Acceptable media: ISDN, CD, DVD RAM, Jaz, Zip, 5.25" optical disc and 3.5" optical disc..

What about Artisan's environmental policy?
Artisan complies with all European Union and local directives. As an integral part of the local community, we take our environmental duties seriously. We use paper from sustainable sources, recycle as much material as possible and dispose of waste products responsibly.

How long has Artisan been in business?
We began in 1946 with one platen press, an old guillotine and just two frames of type. Since then, we've consistently invested in new technology to become one of Europe's leading dedicated web offset printers and binders. In 1980 we moved to new purpose-built premises, adding additional adhesive binding and mailing services in 1986. In 1994 we commissioned Europe's first Heidelberg Harris M3000 gapless web offset press. Our investment continues, with new CTP prepress equipment that provides digital workflow to take your projects into the new century.