Hardware - Wide Format Print

Founded in 2009, Scarborough, UK-based Dance by Design is a supplier of bespoke costumes and theatre backdrops for a variety of businesses including television companies, theatres and dance schools.

Mid last year, the lease on the company’s Summa D60 cutter was coming up for renewal, so managing director Dave Smith started to review the options available in the marketplace.

He explains, “I needed to replace the cutter quickly and, whilst searching around on the Internet for suitable suppliers, came across Stanford Marsh Group Graphics division.  We started to talk about the various solutions and ultimately settled upon the Summa D120 cutter.”

John Hatton, Account Manager, at Stanford Marsh Group Graphics division (SMGG) – the commercial graphics division of Stanford Marsh Group – adds, “The original contact came through to me via the website as an enquiry about a cutter.  The conversation continued and we started to talk about printing in general.  It quickly became apparent that the customer had an interest in separate printing and cutting devices.”

Whilst talking with Dave Smith from Dance by Design, John Hatton mentioned a special offer that the company was currently running.  SMGG was offering five Mutoh ValueJet 1304 printers on a first come, first served basis, with a package of free extras – worth around £2500 – including a take-up roller, a full set of original inks and RIPCentre software. 

Dave says, “Previously, we had outsourced some of our work to a specialist printer who used another brand of machine.  Initially I was keen to stick with that manufacturer.  However, once John sent me samples produced on the Mutoh from our own files, I was blown away with the quality, simplicity and value for money.  The special offer made the decision a bit of a ‘no-brainer.’”

The Mutoh printer was installed in September 2012 and is covered by a standard Mutoh warranty.  It is running using original Mutoh inks as Dave says he has heard too many horror stories about alternatives.  “For the sake of a couple of quid, it’s not worth the risk,” he states.

When Dance by Design is not using the printer for its core business, it takes in more traditional work - such as signage and vehicle wraps – so the flexibility of the Mutoh machine was a key selling point.

In terms of the future, Dave Smith says he will be considering upgrading to the wider Summa cutter and will perhaps invest in a laminator further down the line.   He explains, “We currently outsource our lamination to another print shop, so that would be a logical next step.”

In the meantime, Dave is very happy with the Mutoh Valuejet 1304.  Its versatility more than meets the challenge of Dance by Design’s varied applications and the special offer made it a great value purchase for the business.

Mutoh printers are distributed in the UK by Colourgen.  SMGG is an authorised Colourgen reseller.

For more information on Dance by Design, please visit www.dancebydesign.co.uk

For more information on SMGG, please visit www.smgg.co.uk

For more information on Colourgen, please visit www.colourgen.com

Cardiff-based Morgan Signs has recently invested in a Mimaki JV400 latex printer for its PopIn Vehicle Graphics division to enable the business to meet the demand for faster turn around times.  The purchase of the latex machine also allies with Morgan Sign's commitment to recycling and environmentally sound initiatives.

Having invested in a Mimaki JV3 in the mid 2000s, Morgan Signs increased its capacity in recent years with a JV33 and has a number of Mimaki cutting plotters, laminators and other high end kit that serve both its sign making arm and the newly formed PopIn Vehicle Graphics that specialises in fleet liveries and vehicle branding.

PopIn Vehicle Graphics is based in the same, substantial premises as the rest of Morgan Signs' operation, but has an impressive climate controlled double vehicle bay that is ideal for preparation of vehicles and installation of vinyl graphics. Formed in early 2013, the subsidiary focuses entirely on vehicle liveries, employs a team of four specialist fitters and is headed up by MD Craig Lovegrove.

"Although it wasn't much of a decision to stay with Mimaki when we were looking at a new wide format printer, there was still a distinct decision making process that we went through," Lovegrove recalls.  "We had to offer faster turnaround times, so removing the need to out-gas prints meant latex was top of the list.  We looked at all the latex options and although alternatives initially seemed better at face value, once we dug a little deeper, the Mimaki had a number of compelling factors that made it an easy decision in the end."

Morgan Signs has received advice from Shaun Thompson of authorised Mimaki reseller, Graphic Printing Technologies over a number of years. The company's operations director, Rod Hill, details the decision making process further: "The Mimaki latex printer has very low running costs. We're able to select from a huge range of materials and the output quality is head and shoulders above the competition."

Hill continues to emphasise how working with Mimaki's UK distributor, Hybrid Services fits well with MS Group’s commitment to considering environmental factors in its operations. "Morgan Signs identified waste streams and Hybrid's "Let's Do MORE" rebate linked recycling scheme has been a significant bonus for us." The scheme focuses on recycling Mimaki solvent ink cartridges and for the two Mimaki solvent printers that MS Group uses, it allows the company to advise prospective clients that it's following Hybrid's lead and "doing something where it can."

"The construction industry is a big market sector for Morgan Signs and it's driving recycling as part of a moral and commercial obligation," continues Hill. "With our approach, allied to the company's production setup and ISO certification, we become an attractive proposition."

The Mimaki JV400 latex printer used within the vehicle branding operation ticks a multitude of eco positive boxes, but that's just one of the many benefits that the boss of PopIn Vehicle Graphics is finding. "The smooth gradients, drop shadows and colour matching we're getting from the Mimaki RasterLink RIP software is so good that our production time has sped up even more," says Lovegrove. Simple, but very effective applied vinyl jobs that may once have been constrained to a limited range of off-the-shelf cut vinyl colours are now printed, laminated, cut out and applied in a seamless process, tied together with Mimaki's software package for the latex printer and cutting plotter.

PopIn Vehicle Graphics is fast becoming a firmly established sub-brand of the well renowned Morgan Signs operation and Lovegrove summarises how it’s already gaining a reputation for winning repeat business. "We're offering professional design, have a team of highly trained fitters, use only the best materials and with the new Mimaki latex printer can install a product faster, that's better than anything else out there."

Avery Dennison Reflective Solutions has launched TrafficJet™, a complete digital printing system for the road traffic safety and reflective signage market featuring equipment, ink and reflective sheeting. It constitutes an end-to-end, cost-effective, highly-flexible digital printing solution for work zone signage.

The Avery Dennison TrafficJet Digital Printing System comes with a choice of two printers:   the eight-colour TrafficJet 1638 and the four-colour TrafficJet 1324. Currently, the TrafficJet System is available with black ink, but seven specially-formulated eco-solvent inks for work zone sign fabrication will be available later this year. The TrafficJet System provides signmakers and traffic authorities the opportunity to print short runs of signs, digitally, on a just-in-time basis, using Avery Dennison prismatic reflective sheeting including leading-edge W-11500 OmniCube™, and W-9500, W-7500 and W-6500 series fluorescent yellow, yellow green and orange sheeting.

"Avery Dennison is the only sheeting manufacturer offering a complete, branded digital printing system for work zone and reflective signage," says Scott Seeley, Global Marketing Director, Avery Dennison Reflective Solutions. "With the TrafficJet System, there is no need for overlays for work zone or unregulated signs – and they are still warranted for three years’ durability.   Eco solvent inks deliver the most durable, cost-effective results, and the System’s ideal for variable-length or short run sign production.   Our spot colour inks (which will meet durability and traffic signage colour requirements), will be ready this autumn, and will add even more functionalities to the TrafficJet System.   This is an ideal opportunity for signmakers and converters to make a cost-efficient change to digital production for work zone signage."

There will be live demonstrations of the Avery Dennison TrafficJet Digital Printing System TrafficJet on Stand E40 at Traffex, 16-18 April, Birmingham, UK, by Lakeside Films Ltd, official road traffic and safety distributors for Avery Dennison Reflective Solutions.

Contex's HD Ultra wide format scanner has been awarded Best Scanner (24 inches+) at the Wide-Format Imaging 2013 Top Product Awards for the second year in a row. The reader-determined awards honour breakthrough products that have caused the most excitement in the industry and have been a valuable asset to wide- and grand-format businesses over the last year.

Since its release in 2011, the HD Ultra has been commended on its superior image quality, speed, and contributions to business productivity. Wide Format Imaging will feature the HD Ultra in its April issue and will present the plaque to Contex at the ISA International Sign Expo in Las Vegas, NV.

"Contex is honoured to receive this award from Wide Format Imaging," states Steve Blanken, general manager of Contex Americas. "With the HD Ultra, we set out to develop a scanner capable of delivering speed, quality, and productivity to the wide format industry. Being named Best Scanner for two consecutive years is a testament to the performance of the HD Ultra as well as confirmation of Contex's ability to create industry-leading products tailored to our customers' needs."

Built for productivity, the HD Ultra's rapid scan speed and versatility distinguish it from the competition. The HD Ultra scans up to 8 inches per second in colour, which is three times faster than comparable scanners, and uses xDTR2 technology and Gigabit Ethernet to deliver maximum throughput. The HD Ultra further ensures efficient scanning through intuitive features including intelligent document size detection and automated paper thickness control; these features enable users to accurately scan documents upon the first try, eliminating time-consuming rescans.

The HD Ultra captures fine art, maps, and other documents in unprecedented detail. It provides users with access to widest colour gamut possible and is the only wide format scanner with true 48-bit colour processing, delivering unmatched colour reproduction quality.

For more information, please visit www.contex.com

Roland DG UK has announced the introduction of the 64-inch SolJet Pro4 XF-640 - the company’s fastest wide-format printer to date. The XF-640 incorporates next generation dual print heads and redesigned take-up and pinch roller systems, plus a host of other advanced features for high quality imaging at a maximum print speed of 102m²/hr.

“Today, more than ever, high-speed large format printers are in demand across our industry,” said Brett Newman, Technical Director, Roland DG (UK). “While high volume production is the goal for many of these businesses, quality imaging is equally important. The XF-640 answers this need in the marketplace by combining exceptional print quality with reliable, high-speed performance.”

Designed for both outdoor and indoor applications, the XF-640 is the ideal production tool for signs, banners, vehicle wraps, window graphics, POP displays, exhibition show graphics, posters and more. The XF-640 features new, advanced print control technology that incorporates the industry’s most advanced print heads in a staggered design for maximum productivity. Roland’s newest eco-solvent inks, Eco-Sol Max 2, offer an expanded colour gamut for accurate image recreation as well as fast drying times to boost production and the dual mirrored CMYK ink configuration virtually eliminates banding for consistent colour imaging.

Like the rest of the Roland printer line, the XF-640 is easy to operate. A redesigned front-loading ink cartridge unit provides easy ink access. With the XF-640, media loading levers are positioned in both the front and back for maximum convenience. Special media brackets support even the heaviest media rolls as they are loaded into place. 

The XF-640 joins the SolJet Pro 4 XR-640, Roland’s widest and fastest printer/cutter to date which was launched last September. The XR-640 also features advanced print head technology, mirrored print head configuration and Roland’s Eco-Sol Max 2 inks, but the integrated print/cutter streamlines production by automatically printing and contour cutting printed graphics with extreme precision.

For more information, please visit www.rolanddg.co.uk/beast

Graphic Printing Technologies has launched the GPT 190s - a 1.9m printer based on Mimaki technology.  The solution is a twin head industrial high speed solvent printer with speeds up to 96 sqmph.

Stuart Cole, general manager of GPT, explains, “The market has a real appetite for speed at the moment. Our GPT 190s offers a wide range of speeds and quality all the way up to nearly 100Mtr.Sq./Hr.   At 1.9m wide, this printer is a real Beauty...”

The new GPT 190s' slowest speed (highest quality) is 15Mtr.Sq./Hr. then ranging all the way up the scale to a staggering 96Mtr.Sq / Hr. With the benefits of the proven Mimaki solvent inks and Mimaki technology this is 'a machine to be reckoned with'.

The printer has been created by adapting an existing Mimaki textile printer and includes a full 2 year parts and labour warranty, Mimaki inks and Mimaki RIP.  The GPT 190s has an optional trough for unbacked mesh materials, an optional Mimaki bulk ink system for cheaper ink running costs, and an optional heavy duty winder system for longer length rolls.  It even has the option for a three year Platinum warranty.

The new printer can be seen on Stand D30 at Sign and Digital UK.