Graphco Announces Successful Installation of Fold Stream at 170-Year-Young Wells & Drew
Fold Stream by ProCut | Credit: Graphco
Graphco, a provider of offset, print finishing, and dimensional signage solutions in North America, proudly announces the successful installation of the Fold Stream system at Wells & Drew in Jacksonville, FL. With a 170-year legacy of excellence, Wells & Drew has mastered the craft of engraving, foil stamping, embossing, raised print, and letterpress, offering comprehensive in-house specialty printing services. This milestone marks the first installation of Fold Stream in North America, underscoring Graphco’s commitment to delivering technology to specialty printers.
“As a specialty printer, we constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible in print,” states Blake Houser, Principal at Wells & Drew. “The Fold Stream system enhances our capabilities, allowing us to streamline intricate folding and finishing processes while maintaining the unmatched quality our customers expect. This installation reaffirms our commitment to investing in top-tier technology to serve our clients better.”
Fold Stream by ProCut is a high-speed, precision folding and gluing system designed for efficient, small-run packaging with quick changeovers. “I reviewed plenty of folder-gluers before,” continues Houser, “and we have a variety of them here including industry heavyweights like Moll. But when I saw the Fold Stream demo video, I immediately understood how the system worked, which was a big deal. The current systems we use demand significant operator expertise, so I appreciate the simplicity of the Fold Stream for our digitally oriented work.”
“What sets Fold Stream apart is the fast setup,” states Houser. “Unlike the Molls or similar machines, which require an hour or more for a switchover (even for highly skilled operators), the Fold Stream can switch from a folding carton to a pocket folder in just 10 to 15 minutes. For our digital press operator to achieve that speed is a massive time savings—potentially cutting very complicated changeover times from two to three hours down to 30 minutes.”
“Our goal is to offer packaging solutions because, right now, every printer is trying to move into that space, but very few of them offer the special embellishments we have done for years” observes Houser. “The challenge is figuring out how to integrate our specialty printing processes across various substrates and colors while maintaining efficiency for small runs. This machine enables us to do just that—offering six different printing processes on 21 different paper types.”
Graphco’s Fold Stream system is renowned for its precision, efficiency, and ability to handle complex folding and finishing tasks with ease. The system’s advanced automation significantly reduces manual labor while increasing production speed and accuracy—critical factors for a specialty print house like Wells & Drew.
Chris Manley, President of Graphco, highlighted the importance of this first North American installation: “We are thrilled to see the Fold Stream in action at Wells & Drew, a company that embodies excellence in specialty printing. This installation is a testament to how Fold Stream can revolutionize niche print operations, providing efficiency and precision for even the most intricate jobs. Wells & Drew’s decision to adopt this technology further reinforces their position as an industry leader.”
The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Packaging Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of Packaging Impressions.
