A new Océ inkjet press launched this February swung Australia Post to a multimillion investment in the digital print technology.

Multichannel direct marketing general manager Lisa Schutz says the new system offered “key advantages” over other full colour print options examined.

The two ColorStream 3700 Twin presses, to be installed in Australia Post’s Melbourne and Sydney print facilities, enable a move from offset shell processes and offer major productivity savings, quality improvements and waste reduction.

Schutz says the installation this month is a major milestone in the organisation’s drive to become the most significant player in the Australian multichannel communications market which embraces transaction and promotional print.

New software systems and Pitney Bowes inserting complement the presses. The 3700 – the high-speed model in the ColorStream Twin series – prints a web of 540 mm at up to 100 metres per minute.

Operations and IT e-communications head Chris Miller says the very high “almost offset” look and feel, productivity and speed were drivers, along with green considerations. One benefits is that the press can stop and start without ‘losing its place’ or affecting data integrity. This eliminates paper waste of as 20-200 metres and saves time.

The German-built press can also switch between colour and mono in minutes.