Fully integrated creative agency FWD Motion has revealed how its recent purchase of a Fujifilm Acuity Prime LED UV flatbed printer from Soyang Hardware has allowed the company to bring in new work and customers by offering a more sustainable printing service.
Established in 2005 and situated on the border of Sheffield and Derbyshire, FWD Motion offers a host of marketing services to its clients, ranging from printing, graphic design and digital marketing to content creation, website development and SEO.
Working with customers across several industries, FWD Motion has noted an increase in demand for more sustainable print, with clients requesting work that has less impact on the environment but still delivers impactful messages. With this in mind, the agency chose to invest in a new printer that would deliver exactly this.
Having looked at several UV straight-to-board printers, FWD Motion identified the Fujifilm Acuity Prime as the most effective solution. The company took delivery of its new machine from Soyang Hardware, an approved Fujifilm distributor in the UK, in March 2024.
The printer has now been up and running for several months at FWD Motion’s specialist production facility, with Director David Whiteley hailing the impact it has already had. This, David said, includes being able to provide customers with a more sustainable service and working with clients across several innovative projects.
“One of our goals is to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills and thereby reduce CO2 emissions,” David said. “With our new Fujifilm Prime UV, we can print directly to board with non-toxic inks – eliminating the need for non-recyclable vinyl and laminates. Most importantly, the printer enables us to print over old artwork, so out-of-date marketing materials can be used again and again.”
Early impact
The machine has already been put to work on a range of projects. Examples include printing directly onto MDF wall panels for a popular live escape games room, upcycling existing signage and producing a sustainable POS and exhibition stand.
“The printer has provided us with the tools to achieve our objectives, prompting our ‘Upcycling into The Community Initiative’, encouraging our partners to repurpose their old merchandise and event products to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills,” David said. “The investment allows us to be more sustainable and competitive when it comes to large-format print.
“We have won several tenders since investing in the Fujifilm Acuity Prime, enabling us to push the boundaries of what can be printed onto and repurposed during a range of new projects. We plan on striving for more tenders so we can expand our capabilities and push the limits of what eco-friendly materials can be printed onto and how they can become reliable alternatives to single-use print products.”
Soyang support
David was also quick to praise the role Soyang Hardware played in the investment, installation and aftercare of the Fujifilm Acuity Prime. He explained how the company had to make significant changes to its in-house print room to accommodate a machine that is now its central piece of equipment, with Soyang offering support throughout.
“This meant reinforcing the floor to ensure it would safely hold the weight of the printer and also organising the temporary removal of our glass doors to allow the printer through upon delivery,” David said. “We had fantastic support from Soyang, which spent some time training our print team and returning for necessary maintenance.
“Working with Soyang has ensured a seamless experience for the integration of our printer. Their team has helped us significantly with training and maintenance; we feel as though they are a part of our team.”
Caption: Abu Abdulganiyu, printer operator from FWD Motion, alongside the new Fujifilm Acuity Prime.
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