Grapo Technologies, a manufacturer of wide format printers based in the Czech Republic, is proud to announce that Georgiadis Colorsign, a leading Greek signage company, last week installed the Manta, the company’s large format UV flatbed printer. With the ability to print on almost any type of material, the Manta paves the way for a whole new range of innovative signage and advertising in the Greek market.
Established in 1992, Georgiadis Colorsign has been delivering customised signage solutions to the Greek advertising market for more than 18 years. With innovation as a cornerstone of its success, the company has earned a reputation for delivering visual impact by combining the latest technology with creative thinking. The addition of the Grapo Manta to its existing fleet of printing machines reinforces this successful strategy, opening up a whole new range of creative design opportunities for both the company and its clients.
“With the Manta, there are virtually no limits,” says Nikos Georgiadis, Managing Director of Georgiadis Colorsign. “We can now offer our clients a new level of innovation and create real visual impact by printing on all kinds of materials and formats. Point-of-Sale advertising will be just one of many applications where we can put this technology to work, “adds Georgiadis. “Checkouts are often the only place where cigarette brands, for example, can reach their target audience. The Manta’s ability to create unusual eye-catching signage is just made for this task.”
With its 3x2m flatbed design and the ability to handle media thicknesses up to 60mm, the Manta can print directly on rigid, heavy and odd-shaped materials including those with structural surfaces such as wood, metal, plexiglass, glass, ceramic and carpet.
Right price, good quality, fast response
The close partnership between Georgiadis Colorsign and Grapo Technologies has been formed over a number of years. “To be successful today, a company needs three things,” says Georgiadis. “The right price (not too cheap, not too expensive), good quality and responsiveness. Grapo has all three.”
During the run up to the Olympics there was increased demand for high quality printing in Greece. Today, with the economic downturn, the same demand for quality remains, but the focus is also on price. “With its 720dpi print resolution, the Manta delivers almost photographic quality with natural skin tones and sharp vibrant colours,” comments Georgiadis. “Its quality is on par with the big-name brands in the industry, but it comes at an affordable price.”
After sales support
Georgiadis also points out that Grapo Technologies is not a product company: “Grapo seems to understand that they are not in the business of just delivering products,” says Georgiadis. “They’re in the service business, and this is particularly important to companies in our line of business,” adds Georgiadis. “If we need more ink, we need to get a price today. If we have a technical problem, we need engineers down here to fix it straight away. Providing this after sales support is where Garpo stands apart from the rest of the pack.”
Enhanced productivity
While quality and the ability to create unique, eye-catching signage are key elements, overall production throughput is critical in running a successful printing operation. The Manta has been specifically designed to keep preparation time to a minimum – ensuring optimum production efficiency. With no minimum print area, smaller items can be placed on the working desk without having to cover up the empty area – as with other flatbed printers on the market today. Use of Grapo Svang inks also ensures strong adhesion to printing media eliminating the need for any pre-coating.
The Manta also features a unique twin-mode function, which enables operators to print on one half of the working desk, while preparing the next job on the other – further enhancing productivity. Its vacuum system holds material firmly in place for perfect registration, even with multiple and bidirectional printing.
Featuring a printing speed of up to 110 square meters per hour, the Manta is the fastest printer in its class. Use of UV-curable inks produces instant-dry prints ready to cut and apply.
