Hardware - Wide Format Print

PPS Imaging, GmbH, of Hamburg, Germany, has installed two HP Scitex XP5100 pinters at its main production facility in Berlin to expand its capacity and meet increasing customer demand for super-wide format indoor and outdoor signage applications.

These five-metre wide UV printers offer the ability to print substrates five metres in width, or three 1.6m rolls simultaneously at a cruising speed of up to 105m2/hr. Outdoor signage for distant viewing may be printed at speeds up to 150m2/hr.

“These printers give us the capacity to serve our customers and deliver their products very quickly,” said Michael Krieger, owner and managing director, PPS Imaging, GmbH. “Today, customers want things almost immediately and we can’t afford to wait to invest in equipment that meets those demands.”

Responding to requests for print with less impact on the environment was another challenge that PSS Imaging has addressed.

“We took an early decision to move towards more environmentally friendly printing,” Krieger said. “We replaced solvent machines with UV printers and added two latex printers to respond to customer requests for ‘greener’ print, and to be able to offer more applications for indoor use. We also use energy from eco-friendly sources.”

PPS Imaging’s customers are primarily in Germany, but work is also sent to German companies elsewhere in Europe, notably to France and the Netherlands.

“We’ve had a very good relationship with HP,” Krieger said. “It supplies a wide range of printers with strong manufacturing standards, and we’ve received much good advice and support, as well as supplying inks and substrates. HP has been with us and helped us to grow.”

Reinventing a business

Since its establishment in 1972 as a professional photographic laboratory by renowned photographer Prof. F. C. Gundlach, PPS Imaging’s business has undergone a complete transformation.

By 2000, professional photography was moving rapidly to digital causing rapid contraction in the market. PPS had a network of four laboratories in Hamburg, Berlin, Erkrath [Düsseldorf] and Dresden. Since then, PPS Imaging established a new course for itself, changing the business from traditional photo printing to large and wide format digital print production has been a ten year process.

In the first four years, PPS Imaging conducted a major sales effort and established production facilities in its existing locations. By 2006, the company had a number of major contracts in place and a growing array of HP digital printers. These include HP Designjet Z6100 Printers, HP Scitex FB650 and XP5300 Printers, and two printers using HP Latex Ink technologies.

This install-base gives PPS Imaging both flexibility and versatility to respond to requests for rapid deliveries and graphics suitable indoor and outdoor use.

Work at present is divided roughly 80-20 percent between UV curable ink printing and water-based latex inks printing. On the UV printing side, about 20 percent is flat-bed work. In addition to its graphics production, PPS Imaging also digitally prints textiles.

PPS Imaging now employs 109 people, the largest number at its primary production facility in Berlin. In addition to its four original sites, the company now has two further sales offices, in Stuttgart and Munich.

More information is available at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts or follow HP on www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.

HP has announced a free, downloadable software application for the HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer series that enables professional photographers to generate large format photo negatives for the production of high-quality, black and white silver halide photo prints.

HP is showcasing the Large Format Photo Negative solution for the first time at Les Rencontres d'Arles 2011 in Arles, France, during a conference titled, "The Best of Both Worlds: Digital Negatives for Black & White Silver Prints" on Tuesday, July 5 at 6 p.m. in Cour des Rencontres, Rue Fanton.

Available in September, the Large Format Photo Negative software package includes a paper preset for the HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer series that allows photographers to print a digital negative from a film, scanned or digital capture file onto a transparent substrate. Once printed, these large format photo negatives can be used as masters to produce high-quality black and white fine art prints through a contact process. The final print size is the same as that of the transparency, allowing an original 35 mm negative to be blown up as large as a 44-inch print.

"Last year, HP introduced a solution for creating high-value platinum prints, combining the best of conventional and digital techniques for the benefit of photographers and their fine art clients," said Santiago Morera, vice president and general manager, Designjet Large format Printing Solutions, HP. "Once again, HP is meeting photographers' needs with an innovative solution for more popular and affordable silver halide prints, demonstrating our commitment to helping photographers produce, showcase and archive their work."

While writing on film from digital data is not new, the Large Format Photo Negative solution offers one of the simplest, least expensive and highest-quality options available on the market. Users only need to have access to an HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer, the correct media and the free software package from the HP website to produce photo negatives. The Large Format Photo Negative solution can be used with any silver halide papers, including fixed or variable grade, and can be used to produce large format prints from 35mm images, enhance images from old or damaged negatives or archive digital files physically on film and paper.

Picto, a professional photo lab based in Paris, has been using the solution to produce large format photo negatives and meet their photographer clients' needs for a simple way to create silver halide, large format prints or hardcopy image archives from negatives.

"The Large Format Photo Negative solution from HP meets a long-standing demand we have heard from our clients," said Philippe Gassmann, chief executive officer, Picto. "We tried several options, but this is by far the most flexible and easy to use, allowing us to offer top-quality, affordable silver halide prints from original negatives."

[photo shows negative being printed on HP Designjet Z3200ps]

 

For the best part of 20 years, Genix Imaging UK has pioneered the way digital imaging has been used in retail and display environments. Always at the cutting edge of technology and always focused on delivering solutions that meet the specific needs of their customers, Genix enjoys a well-deserved and unrivalled reputation in this industry.
 
It all started in 1992, when Roger Bull, MD of Genix Imaging UK, identified the digital imaging potential of the Apple Mac platform and applied it to print. “We took an early Apple FX2 and enhanced it to better handle large image files. At that time, printing was done using electrostatic technology, but we were also amongst the first to incorporate the new breed of inkjet printers into our workflows.”
 
Today, with so many companies providing print, Genix continues to succeed because it offers so much more than simply a print-for-pay service. As Bull explains, “We deliver complete solutions for clients that need much more than a set of prints. We provide consultancy, creative designs, layouts, prepress, colour matching and a hugely responsive service that ensures clients achieve the results they are looking for. We control printing costs through an effective and efficient workflow, but our profitability comes through the added value we deliver in terms of creativity, commitment and quality.”
 
The Genix studio is a hive of activity, with hundreds of square metres of print being produced every day, as well as creative design, touchscreen display content development and finishing services. With sales, marketing and administration also based in this popular central London location, being inside the Genix office you know you are in a capable, vibrant and hugely productive organisation.
 
Introducing the ColorPainter H-74S

In the production area, banks of inkjet printers are constantly churning away. Laminators, finishing tables and cutting systems also fill the space and print is passing through each station on its way to despatch as deadlines are being met. Further back is a separate room and it is here the new Seiko ColorPainter H-74S has been installed. “We already had six of the older ColorPainter 64S machines to provide solvent-based ink solutions. These machines had served us well, but with demand increasing, these machines could no longer keep up,” explains Roger.
 
The new H-74S was supplied by Colourgen reseller, Landor UK, and has replaced four of the old 64S printers. “Before purchasing the new printer, we carried out a very detailed analysis of all the potential options, but there is nothing in this price range that comes anywhere near the Seiko. The colour space it provides is broader than the aqueous printers we use and it is more efficient in terms of energy and maintenance. We can leave this printer for long periods completely unattended and since installing it around 10 months ago we have had very few issues,” he adds.
 
The new H-74S has been installed to provide a high quality, production solution for a specific range of applications. Roger explains, “The new Seiko is ideal for window vinyls, vehicle graphics and outdoor hoardings. We have also used it for interior wall coverings with great results and successfully tested a broad range of materials on it. To get that level of image quality at high speeds on durable output adds an important dimension to the range of services we can offer our clients.”
 
At the Nike Town store in Oxford Circus, Genix recently printed onto an engineering grade Vinyl so that a cut out graphic could be stuck onto a painted wall. We also recently printed a large Nike graphic onto grey backed self-adhesive vinyl so that there was no show through form the image underneath. “This project was briefed at 6:30 in the evening and printed and installed by midnight that same day – something that only the speed of the HS74 could have allowed us,” says Bull.
 
He continues, “The printer itself tells us when it needs attention and the maintenance routines are simple and effective. So far it has been very reliable and it seems that the more you print, the better it works and we have certainly been printing plenty on it. In addition, we always have the excellent support of Landor UK and Colourgen to help us outwith any issues we have.”
 
In conclusion, Roger Bull looks to the future, “As we get more of a requirement for this sort of print, I can see us investing in another ColorPainter. Genix is always looking to deliver the broadest possible range of solutions for its clients and the H-74S is a valuable addition to our workflow capabilities. It is a fast, reliable and high quality printer that has delivered real improvement to our business.”

[Photo shows window graphics for Niketown produced by Genix on the Seiko ColorPainter H-74]

Josero has set up a number of agreements to enable it to enter the printer market with a strong package of solutions. Currently reputed as a key player in the professional inkjet market as the master distributor of Triangle inks in the UK and Ireland, the addition of these printers will consolidate Josero’s offering to the market.

Long term collaboration with Chinese supplier Yat Fung Digital has resulted in the full release of the Redjet printer in the UK and throughout Europe.  This 3.2m solvent printer for banner, flex and paper is capable of 720 dpi and up to 75 square metres per hour and Triangle offers a 1-year comprehensive warranty with onsite technical support.

A distribution agreement with Russian giant Sun Innovation has resulted in Josero supplying their advanced LED UV flat bed printers in the UK.  The NEO UV-LED 1.6m is a new affordable UV printer which has all the advantages of high quality "green" printing without requiring a big investment. It prints on virtually any material up to 200 mm thick and has up to 1440 dpi resolution and 3D printing. This includes a 1-year warranty with onsite technical support.

Finally, a strategic collaboration agreement has been signed with Superwide Solutions Gmbh for the sourcing and supply of superwide format used printers in the UK. Superwide Solutions constantly sources used superwide machines from all over Europe. These machines are either next to new, or refurbished to a very high standard and cost a fraction of the original price.

Loic Delor, Managing Director of Josero, commented, “There are many printing companies who just don’t have the budget to buy a new printer, even though they really do need to make an investment in some new technology to grow their sales. This is where we can help. Our understanding and knowledge of printers is really quite unique. We know them inside out, but that isn’t surprising, as the Josero team has written the user manuals for some of them!“

Midlands-based large format printing company Fosco Hayes Hurdley, (Fosco’s) specialises in short-medium run, fast turnaround POS & display work. Earlier this year the company installed a HP Scitex TJ8350 printer with in-line finishing for billboard posters, large format graphics, backlits and self-adhesive vinyl printing for vehicle wraps. Celebrating over 70 years in business, Fosco’s has grown to become one of the largest large format digital print providers in the UK, with over 30 staff and combined premises of over 60,000 square feet spread over two prime locations in Birmingham.

The installation of the HP TJ8350 marked the first stage in Fosco’s expansion plans to meet the rising demand for rigid and flexible substrates. “We needed a machine that would be quick and reliable and maintain the consistency and quality that our customers have come to expect from us,” David Nicholas, MD of Foscos comments.  “The HP TJ8350 has allowed us to increase the level of work we take in, especially from trade business where they can outsource to us and be guaranteed high quality, fast turnaround and a great price.  Installing this machine has also freed up our two HP XL1500 roll-to-roll printers, enabling a greater capacity for trade banner work.”

Fosco’s is currently installing its second HP Scitex FB7500 Printer. “We had expanded our production with our first FB7500 printer, moving to 24/7 production and occasionally had to turn down work,” continues Nicholas.  “We felt there were sound business reasons for investing in another printer. As well as the added capacity, the second printer gives us the security of some flexibility to meet growing demand.”

The two HP Scitex FB7500’s are state of the art direct-to-substrate flatbed UV printers that are incredibly fast and capable of producing well over 3,000 10’ x 5’ sheets a day between them. Fosco’s has in-house digital flatbed cutting facilities and a wide format Digital UV Coater and as a result, can produce work to any size and any finish quickly and professionally in-house, with its own fleet of vehicles ready to deliver.

Chris Southall, Business Development Director of Fosco’s, adds, “Fosco’s understands the needs of the trade customer. For companies that can’t afford to jump into the market at this level we can offer a great service on any substrate at a good price. We understand also the frustrations that sometimes come with outsourcing work as we’ve been there ourselves in the past - and this is what makes Fosco’s stand out from the rest. This experience has helped us build our business to where it is today. We are still growing and have plans in place for further growth during 2011/12.”

Fosco’s was recently awarded the prestigious ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations in response to its customers demands to guarantee quality of service and their commitment to the environment. “Whilst implementing the ISO we realised how this was going to influence all our staff and customers in terms of quality and consistency, as well as reduce our impact on the environment,” said Southall.  “In the past, most of our waste went to landfill and by going through the ISO process - although it is tough it’s been worth it - as now, around 90% of our waste is recycled, saving us more than £10,000 per year on waste removal.”

[Photo shows Directors Chris Southall, David Nicholas and Jason Farr standing in front of the second HP Scitex FB7500 recently installed at Fosco Hayes & Hurdley]

 

When Classic Lines Plus Signs was asked to replace the main sign at a local pub, The Railway Inn, the company was quick to utilise its recently installed Roland VersaCAMM VS print-and-cut machine to produce an innovative solution. As a result, the new display features the metallic ink capabilities of the machine, as well as demonstrating its vivid and durable solid colours.

Measuring 700 x 1100 mm, the double-sided sign created by Classic Lines Plus Signs is mounted to a secure bracket onto the exterior front wall of The Railway Inn. Clearly visible in daylight, the display also features twin LED fluorescent lights which provide effective, yet low cost, illumination.

The company used its Roland VersaCAMM VS-640 with Oracal 351 polyester film to produce the brilliant red background and black elements of the sign, incorporating the machine’s metallic ink to generate a strong gold for the sweeping rail design and crisp lettering incorporated into the display. Roland’s Eco-Sol Max inks resulted in bright, durable colours with excellent adhesion to the material.

The prints were over-laminated with Oraguard 215 polymer PVC film, for additional durability of up to five years in a tough outdoor environment, and the finished sign was mounted within a double-sided moulded lightweight yet durable GRP frame. The colour co-ordinates with the display to provide strong visual impact so that visitors to the pub are instantly attracted to the bright red and gold design.

Classic Lines Plus Signs specialises in producing displays which incorporate creative design elements within practical and durable applications. The addition of the Roland VersaCAMM VS-640 1.62 m print-and-cut system to its fleet of sign-making equipment extends the company’s capabilities by adding metallic and white ink output to its existing options.

Always a Roland user since purchasing its first computer-driven sign-making system back in the eighties, Classic Lines Plus Signs has progressed from specialising in customised vehicle striping to becoming renowned for creating and producing a hugely diverse range of end products. The company’s thriving on-line store makes it simple for customers to purchase displays, canvas prints, promotional goods, garments, engraved items and stickers, and many other bespoke items.

“Producing the new sign for The Railway Inn was a typical example of how we can incorporate the latest technologies into a traditional application by adding metallic ink,” states Nichola Johnson of Classic Lines Plus Signs. “The Roland VersaCAMM VS-640 is enabling us to increase the diversity of our work, and its integrated cutting is another bonus as we’ve always favoured the ability to be able to use a single machine to handle both the printing and cutting elements of a job.”

Rob Goleniowski, Business Manager – Sign & Graphics of Roland DG, comments: “The Railway Inn is, indeed, a classic example of the power and capabilities of the VersaCAMM VS series, demonstrating both the effectiveness of our metallic ink and the vivid, durable results obtainable from the machine’s Eco-Sol Max formulations.”

Roland’s VersaCAMM VS series comprises four model sizes of 1.62 m, 1.37 m, 1.07 m and 0.76 m in width. The range is also available in three different ink versions, these being CMYKLcLm plus metallic and white, a standard six-colour palette of CMYKLcLm or as a dual CMYK option. All machines come with Roland OnSupport which provides remote diagnostics, such as a low ink warning or notification when a job is complete.

Further information about Classic Lines Plus Signs is available by visiting www.classiclinesplussigns.co.uk or calling 01623 661457. For more information about Roland’s VersaCAMM VS range of print and cut solutions with metallic and white ink configurations, visit www.rolanddg.co.uk