Ümit Matbaacılık Chose HZKDX for Their Cellophane Machine Investment
The machine installed in January is suitable both for 106 × 145 cm jobs from the Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 press and smaller jobs up to 32 cm.
Until two years ago, Ümit Matbaacılık provided contract printing services at its facility in Topkapı 2. Matbaacılar Sitesi. In 2023, the company invested in a large-format Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 and CTP equipment, establishing a packaging facility at 3. Matbaacılar Sitesi in Beylikdüzü, Istanbul. Later, it expanded its machine park with die-cutting and folding-gluing machines. The company’s latest investment is a fully automatic HZKDX laminating (cellophane) machine, installed in mid-January, contributing to the company’s production capacity.
Ümit Matbaacılık packaging facility manager Atakan Bozkurt explains the rationale behind the laminating machine investment and how the machine was selected:
“Previously, we had our own laminating machine at Topkapı 2. Matbaacılar Sitesi, but over time it became more efficient to outsource the service, which we did successfully for many years. By 2024, rising costs of cellophane materials and labor, along with customers preferring to work with firms that had in-house laminating, created a need to bring the process in-house.
Although some said that Europe would not accept it and the demand for laminated jobs would decline, the existing project portfolio allowed us to quickly amortize the investment, which made the decision easier.
In today’s conditions, acquiring this machine was necessary not just to maintain our project portfolio but also to increase our business volume. As a contract printer, customers started sending post-press processes to us rather than outsourcing them after printing.
Post-COVID, cellophane prices rose several times due to anti-dumping taxes applied in Turkey. This increased costs and prompted many printers to invest in laminating machines.”
Atakan Bozkurt: “Our HZKDX laminating machine went into full production very quickly”
Two machine alternatives were considered. One was from a leading global brand, suitable for high-volume jobs. Since we work on contract jobs requiring quick job changes, we chose an automatic machine capable of hot laminating, which could handle 106 × 145 cm sheets for our large-format Koenig & Bauer press as well as smaller sheets.
The installation of the machine was fast: it was unloaded the day it arrived, installed the next day, and started production on the third day.
Currently, our 70 × 100 cm jobs arriving at 3. Matbaacılar Sitesi are redirected to Topkapı 2. Matbaacılar Sitesi, printed there, and laminated here, which is inefficient in terms of transport and time. We will decide whether to move a 70 × 100 press from Topkapı here or exchange machines depending on economic conditions at the time.
About 30% of our printed jobs require lamination. The 70 × 100 cm jobs occupy 60% of the laminating machine’s capacity. We laminate only jobs we print and the unprinted cellophane jobs of customers working with us.”
Kadir Babataş: “The hot laminating machine has a dust unit, saves electricity, and can cut metallized sheets with a hot blade system”
Aysan Matbaa Makine ve Malzemeleri Ltd. Şti., supplier of the laminating machine, notes:
“The hot laminating machine includes a dust unit, provides electricity savings, and can cut metallized sheets using a hot blade system. For Ümit Matbaacılık, the machine was built in a special configuration, handling sheets from 146 cm down to 32 cm. Standard machines could only go down to 39.5 cm. They wanted a single machine to cover a wide portfolio, which was a smart choice.
All machines in their park are high-quality. After investing in new Koenig & Bauer presses and die-cutting machines, choosing our machine makes us proud. Decisions were based on quality and price, not just cost. Our machine is China-made, but unlike lower-end Chinese machines, it differs in body, weight, speed, adjustment, electricity efficiency, depreciation, and electronics. Mr. Atakan trusted both the machine and us. Ümit Matbaacılık has a long-standing relationship with us, and we also supply their materials. A trust-based relationship made the purchase process smooth.
Customer interest, regardless of job size, also contributes to increased business,” adds Atakan Bozkurt.
