Condors might not often take flight over the UK, but Agfa’s widest roll-to-roll inkjet press has just made a remarkable first landing. The Jeti Condor RTR5200, Agfa’s flagship 5.2 meter roll-to-roll printer, has officially touched down at FaberExposize in a debut installation that is already transforming the company’s large-format production capabilities.
Based in Leeds, FaberExposize has grown rapidly from its early beginnings printing flags to become a major force in wide-format print. Today, the company produces high-impact graphics for retail, display, POS, entertainment, and experiential sectors, with an operation that runs around the clock to keep up with customer demand.
FaberExposize fills 5m production gap with UV
With its exhibition and entertainment print business expanding at pace, FaberExposize identified a gap in its fleet in the form of a lack of a dedicated 5-meter press that could handle multiple rolls simultaneously.
“We’ve been growing exponentially within exhibition and entertainment, and many of our clients wanted 5-meter-wide prints as well as 3.2-meter,” explained Iain Clasper-Cotte, Managing Director at FaberExposize UK. “It was the only gap in our arsenal, and we wanted to fill it with a UV machine.”
That need led the company straight to Agfa’s Jeti Condor RTR5200. The Condor is a powerful 5.2-meter press built for both speed and outstanding print quality. Capable of printing up to three rolls at once and reaching speeds of up to 672 m²/h, the Condor provides continuous production with exceptional versatility. Features including clear fluid printing, high-opacity white ink, and in-line varnish unleash a spectrum of creative applications while reducing the need for additional finishing.
Condor adds speed and flexibility without disruption
For FaberExposize, the Condor’s flexibility presented an immediate benefit. White ink capabilities have unlocked new creative options for jobs like window clings, while the ability to add protective varnish in-line means the company can now produce durable flex-face signage without slowing production.
“We already have a lot of signage trade clients coming to us primarily for flags and smaller jobs, but this enables us to print the full remit of what a signage company might need,” said Iain. “We can do flex-face signage, for instance, because we can put protective varnish over it.”
Despite its scale, the Condor integrated effortlessly into the company’s existing workflow, running on the same RIP system and requiring no new software. Within its first week on-site, the team was printing three rolls simultaneously, a testament to how quickly production ramped up.
FaberExposize doubles down on Agfa partnership
This was the first such installation in the UK but is far from the first Agfa machine at FaberExposize. The two companies have a long-standing relationship built on years of close partnership, and as FaberExposize has expanded, it is kept coming back to Agfa as its supplier of choice. It recently made the decision to invest in its fourth Avinci printer, expanding its capacity for high quality printing on textiles, and this installation went off without a hitch.
“It was the easiest install we’ve ever had because we’ve already got three,” said Iain. “All the profiling was done, and we know the machine inside out, so it’s in production already.”
That confidence extends to Agfa’s service. “If we’re honest, most of these machines today print pretty well,” Iain added. “But when you’re producing hundreds of thousands of prints per year, reliability and service matter most. You need to know an engineer will turn up – and Agfa have always been exceptional at that.”
Since integrating the Condor, FaberExposize has also opened a new dedicated print production unit, fitted almost entirely with Agfa technology. “It’s like an Agfa showroom in there,” Iain said. “In that unit alone, we’ve got six Agfa machines – and another in the next unit.”
Agfa backs Condor install with training and support
Agfa worked closely with FaberExposize to ensure a smooth and successful installation, flying its experts over from Belgium for on-site training and calibration. For Emma Plant, Regional Sales Manager at Agfa, that commitment is what sets the company apart.
“We’ve worked closely with FaberExposize for many years now, and seeing the Jeti Condor powering their next stage of growth is a shared success story we’re incredibly proud of,” Emma said. “This machine is a true powerhouse for delivering high-volume, high-quality production of the kind that forward-thinking businesses like FaberExposize need to stay ahead.
“The Condor’s installation in Leeds marks an exciting milestone for the UK market and a clear signal of a market heading towards greater speed and creative versatility, With this press, we’re giving print service providers like FaberExposize the tools they need to take on more ambitious work and achieve standout results, every time.”
