Customer Spotlight

K2 Customer Spotlight

Kirms

Kirms Printing Company

EQUIPPED TO HANDLE everything from high-quality commercial sheetfed jobs to web press runs, Kirms Printing has been serving customers for nearly a century. Founded 99 years ago, this family-owned operation continues to evolve while maintaining the craftsmanship and service that has sustained it for
generations.

Their equipment lineup includes a Heidelberg Speedmaster and a DGM (Goss Community) Web Press, and an alfa CTP system. Together, they form the backbone of production for a wide range of customer needs.

When the shop’s aging Fujifilm XMF workflow began showing its limitations, owner Kevin Kirms started searching for a replacement. “Price, output quality, and usability were the most important features for us,” Kevin said. “The old program had started to develop quirks, and it was clearly being aged out.”

“When switching programs like this, it can get nerve-wracking.
Xitron’s support made all the difference.” – Kevin Kirms

After evaluating their options, the decision was made to install Xitron’s K2 workflow. The transition, often the most stressful part of a major software change, proved smoother than expected. “The customer service has been excellent,” Kevin explained. “When switching programs like this, it can get nerve-wracking and there’s always a learning curve. Xitron was fantastic at getting me up and running — from the sales team, to the two people who sat with me until I was comfortable during install, all the way to the end when I put in some assistance requests. Having a team that’s super knowledgeable and ready to help like this is really just comforting.”

Since the installation, Kirms Printing has enjoyed consistent performance and the peace of mind that comes from a modern, supported system. Kevin says he would recommend Xitron to other shops facing similar needs, and would not hesitate to consider their products again in the future.

Looking to the future, Kevin is optimistic: “We’re hoping to make it another 99 years. Although some parts of printing are dying, there are lots that are growing.”

CUSTOMER:
Kirms Printing Co.
Neptune, NJ

PRODUCT:
K2 Workflow

Missouri State Senate

Equipped to meet the printing needs of a legislative body, the Missouri State Senate’s full-service print shop has been producing everything from customized business cards and letterhead to newsletters and postcards since the 1970s. Serving the employees and members of the Senate, the shop also handles mailing for their publications—ensuring communications reach constituents quickly and professionally.

When their long-trusted Xitron Sierra prepress software and Raster Blaster Tiff Catcher approached end-of-life, Print Shop Supervisor Kurtis Uthe knew it was time to find a new solution. “Our biggest concern was having a smooth transition,” Kurtis said. “We needed something compatible with our older equipment and backed by great customer support.”

The Senate’s pressroom includes two Ryobi 3404E-DI presses, a Konica Minolta 4070 color copier, and two Konica Minolta 6136 black-and-white copiers. All are critical to daily operations, and the shop needed a workflow that could drive them reliably.

After exploring their options, the team invested in Xitron’s K2 workflow. Installation and training took just one week, and Kurtis was impressed with the results.

“K2 has performed excellently for us, said Kurtis. “It makes our existing workflows smoother and creating new ones much simpler.”

The improved, streamlined interface was a welcome change from their previous system, and the ability to integrate seamlessly with both offset and digital equipment meant no production slowdowns. “Xitron made it very easy and pleasant to upgrade,” Kurtis added. “Their personable sales staff and knowledgeable install/training team made it feel like others were invested in helping us succeed the entire time.”

Xitron’s commitment to supporting legacy equipment while delivering modern workflow capabilities mirrors the Senate print shop’s own philosophy—maintain what works but be ready to adapt when change is necessary. It’s a combination that ensures this in-house operation will continue meeting the Senate’s needs for years to come.

CUSTOMER:
Missouri State Senate
Jefferson City, MO

PRODUCT:
K2 Workflow