Print technology has changed massively over the past 50 years – the commitment to service levels, quality and competitiveness at DATS Print Services hasn’t.
Founded in 1972 as Duplicating And Typewriting Services, DATS has seen something of a revolution take place in the print sector, with state-of-the-art equipment increasing the options of customers in terms of turnaround times, print quality and special finishes.
Consistent investment, even in recent challenging times, including the recent purchase of an automated folder/creaser, collator, booklet maker and round cornering machine, is seen as imperative in ensuring DATS remains up to date.
Those investments and continued development have also led to significantly higher expectations from a print company, even one celebrating 50 years in the industry, but the team at DATS have always known that the unwavering service and quality of print at the heart of their beliefs has led to this longevity and loyalty from it customers, some of whom have been with the company over 20 years.
From that early copy shop offering photocopying and typewriting services, DATS has constantly evolved with the times, now offering litho print as well as running two digital presses, all of which sees the Irthlingborough company remain cost-effective, innovative and able to respond quickly to customer demand.
DATS remains a family business, with many of the staff having been with the company for over 20 years, and their loyalty and wealth of expertise is something that has been vital over the years.
Managing Director Mark Brown, who served his apprenticeship as a printer in the early 1980s, said:
“DATS has grown and developed as the print sector has grown and developed and we’ve invested in order to remain at the forefront. What that has done is allow us to remain in control of everything we do, because we do it in-house with our own experienced team, so customers can rely on us to do what we say we’re going to do and meet their deadlines.”
Ian Brown, Production Director, added:
“With a variety of different presses, we are able to prioritise urgent requirements, large or small, or even convert to digital for short runs, where price is sensitive, quality not as imperative, or on occasion simply required same day.
“If we need to react quickly to get a customer out of a difficult situation, then we will. We have confidence in our team and I think our customers pick up on this too, giving them confidence to continue to work with us.”
Nathan Litchfield, Development Manager, said:
“Customers can leave everything in our hands – with our experienced team they have access to individuals with up to 25 years in print with DATS, so they can trust us to do the job well and make sure they get what they want.”
The 12,000 square foot plant in Irthlingborough has been utilised to the full, allowing DATS to offer an extensive range of products and services, from the basic office supplies like letterheads, business cards and compliments slips through to full colour brochures, and in recent years adding workwear, point of sale and promotional goods.
In 2017, the company achieved ISO:9001 proving their quality processes in print.
Much of the fast turnaround colour work is carried out on the cutting-edge Heidelberg Anicolour press which, with its unique inking technology enables faster make-ready times and top-quality consistency. Two digital presses and a large format printer means the studio is fully equipped to print tickets, booklets, reports, presentation folders and large format posters to very short deadlines.
The state-of-the art studio is fully equipped to help make artwork print-ready, from small artwork amendments to full rebranding and design work. Where additional services are required, such as shrink wrapping, wiro binding or pocket folders are required, the finishing team ensure deadlines are met.
Mark Brown said:
“We’ve invested in equipment and staff to makes sure we survived all the transitions in the industry and, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re in a good place to make sure customers get what they want.
“We’ve seen the evolution of online printing, but have withstood that because we’ve always innovated and diversified. It’s a well worn phrase but we really are a one-stop shop.
“Of course, we pride ourselves on being flexible, unique, competitive, innovative… all those terms you hear all the time, but I think when it matters, the words helpful and reliable would be the ones that are the key to our success and that’s as much as we need to hear.”
Find out more about DATS Print Services on 01933 650588 or at www.datsprint.co.uk
