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For a company that says printing isn't its thing, Clearwater-based direct mail and marketing firm PostcardMania sure has a passion for high-quality copy machinery.
“We're not really a printer,” says PostcardMania CEO Joy Gendusa. “We're really a lead-generation company that happens to print things.”
That side of the business is about to receive a big jolt: PostcardMania is one of two companies in North America to get a Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1 high-speed Inkjet press. The machine, using non-impact, low heat, UV Inkjet technology can handle up to 3,000 sheets per hour in high-quality, short-run print jobs, according to Konica Minolta Business Solutions.
Bought new, the machine costs roughly $2 million. But PostcardMania leased the AccurioJet KM-1 from Konica Minolta at a sizable discount, says Gendusa. The company, in exchange for the discounted rate, has to make the machine available for tours to both potential clients and people who might want to buy one of the machines.
In addition to the machine, Konica Minolta also developed a patented UV ink that provides greater post-press durability on products, the company says in a statement. Konica Minolta also says it's the only manufacturer in the industry to use 23-inch by 29-inch sheet size.
PostcardMania made a large investment in its new printer, even with the Konica Minolta discount. A big part of that comes from a 6,800-square-foot building it bought next door to its Clearwater headquarters to make room for the machine. The building cost $390,000 and Gendusa says the firm spent about $160,000 on renovations.
The company planned to introduce the printer to the business community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Oct. 27.
PostcardMania, with some 71,000 small business customers, had $45.4 million in sales last year and has nearly 200 employees. Although Gendusa says the AccurioJet KM-1 is certainly cool, she's not into technology for technology's sake. “I can see where are going to save time and money with this,” Gendusa tells Coffee Talk.
One more element of PostcardMania's AccurioJet KM-1: The company, in a contest open to employees, renamed the machine. Entries included Hillary Printin' and Sgt. Paper. The ultimate winner is Printy McPrintface — a nod to a British contest that could have ended up naming a polar research vessel Boaty McBoatface.
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