Business

Roland DG has reported that its 30” UV-curable integrated printer/cutter, the VersaUV LEC-300, was the main attraction at Sign & Digital UK 2009, while its engraving solutions also drew plenty of interest. The VersaUV is the first UV-curable inkjet printer in the world to integrate printing and cutting functions and many visitors to the show had come to see for themselves examples of the machine’s tactile output such as Braille, faux animal skin and leather.

Despite an apparent drop in visitor numbers at the show, the company received a healthy number of leads across its product range and it welcomed the opportunity to highlight the versatility of wide format inkjet technology at the show. The company’s stand had over seventy different applications on display, including window graphics, personalised musical instruments, garments and even a vinyl wrapped snow board. Between the Roland DG stand and those of its dealers, every Roland DG printing, print & cut and engraving machine was available to buy at the show.

Following the show, Roland DG (UK)’s Head of Product Development, Brett Newman, said: “In my view, the market has maintained some of its buoyancy, despite the recession, because businesses in this sector are combating the downturn by diversifying their service portfolio in order to keep their output high. This is highlighted by the interest in engraving this year - engraving is a high value service, yet the technology required is available at a relatively low capital cost. The live engraving demonstrations were very popular and I think many came away with the realisation that the machinery is easy to use - with many skills transferrable from wide format printing and cutting - and will start making them money almost instantly.

“While visitor numbers seemed to be down, I feel that those who did venture out were serious about investigating investment opportunities. In general, visitors spent longer than usual on the stand discussing the products with our technical team, which I think is a reflection of how carefully new capital investments are being considered at the moment. Even so, it’s still difficult not to get carried away when you consider that some of our printers will pay for themselves in a matter of months when used for just four hours a day.”

Beyond printing and engraving, Roland DG also had value-adding personalisation solutions on display such as Xpres’s Gem Tec system for rhinestone personalisation of garments and Eurodrop’s multi-colour doming process for both fabric and printed items.

Concluded Mr Newman: “Considering the challenges that the market and the economy as a whole is facing Sign & Digital UK 2009 has to be classed as a success for Roland DG and its dealers. We were there to showcase the money-making opportunities presented by our products and all of our dealers reported sales over the three days. The show provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to customers, both old and new, the versatility and sheer range of profitable applications that our machinery is capable of”.

 

Spenaprint and Keyboard Graphics have made UK first with installations of HP Scitex FB7500/TJ8350 and FB950 printers respectively.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne based Spenaprint, until this year known as NSL, has ordered the UK’s first FB7500 and HP Scitex TJ8350 printer as part of its transition from being a screen and litho printer into becoming a more digitally focussed PSP.

“The decision to purchase our new printers was based on our confidence in HP’s technology and the business advantages of transferring work from analogue to digital production,” said Paul Dowell, director, Spenaprint, which came under new management earlier this year.

“Versatility and the ability to meet customers’ requirements are vital for success in this industry. We can produce anything from posters, billboards, POS and POP items to vehicle livery and outdoor signage, using almost any type of media. We can now offer each customer a bespoke service, based on their requirements.”

Designed for screen printers, the six-colour HP Scitex FB7500 can produce up to 105 (1.2 x 2.4m) sheets per hour, while the TJ8350 is one of the fastest wide-format solvent printers available with a top speed of 480m2/hr.

The UK’s first HP Scitex FB950 is meanwhile going to Keyboard Graphics, based in Stansted, Kent, where it will be used to help the company grow into new markets.

“When investigating the POP market it became clear that customers were looking for high-quality print that would enable their items to stand out in crowded marketplaces,” said Grant Mahoney, managing director, Keyboard Graphics. “We decided that we wanted to invest in state-of-the-art technology that would enable us to successfully add value to customers’ applications without compromising upon quality. In our opinion, not many flatbed machines can replicate the print quality of roll-to-roll printing, but during testing we found that the HP Scitex FB950 printer could do just this, and so, we bought one.”

The printer, bought from City & West End Solutions, uses six HP Scitex FB250 UV-curable inks and twelve printheads for output up to 1200 x 600 optimised dpi. The quoted speed is up to 80m2/hr Billboard mode. Mahoney added: “In the past we were restricted by the limited range of media we could print on. Often we had to print on to vinyl that would then be laminated and adhered to board, or outsource work. Our new printer will eliminate this lengthy stage of production, as it can print directly on to a wide variety of rigid media.”

 

The inks previously sold as Uniform Activasol and Uniform Citrosol are now exclusively available in the UK through Colorific, the official UK distributor appointed by the original Uniform ink manufacturer.

The Uniform reseller channel are also delighted to again have unrestricted access to ink supplies.

Here is what the resellers themselves have had to say...

Michael Bolton, MD of printMAX “We are very happy to see Colorific appointed as the UK supplier for the Colorific Uniform inks, already they have added genuine value to the product for us, creating a strong brand in Colorific, assisting us with the marketing of the product, raising awareness, and most importantly allowing us to offer continued support to our customers.”

Malcolm Evans of Signmaster Systems added "Since Colorific have started supplying us with the original Uniform ink formula, our supply problems have gone away. We get delivery from stock, we know the inks are identical, we are happier, and more importantly our customers are again happier."

Jason Burroughes at Perfect Colours also confirmed "Stock availability has been good, and the marketing assistance we have had from Colorific has helped us to win new business."

Preston-based Granthams, who have installed and supported Uniform products for many years, were also happy to have access to the Colorific Uniform inks, stating “it is important that customers have the option to stay with the same formula of ink”.

Stuart Lee and Dave Foster of Selectech were equally keen to express their satisfaction with the Colorific appointment, “Myself and Dave were both at B&P up until recently, and through Digidist we have had significant help in establishing our business, marketing it, and having continuity of supply on the most important products, not least ink. It has been a refreshing change, we have stock, we can deliver, and it is all backed up by a great level of after-sales service. ”

In terms of the service provision mentioned by Stuart above, Colorific are also pleased to report that they have tied up a deal to provide ongoing warranty and on-site support to the Uniform customer base. This warranty is available through the resellers named above.

So, if you run a Uniform printer, you can be satisfied that putting Colorific ink into your printer is the surefire way to ensure the ink is the same now as it has been previously. This will allow you to move forward with confidence, knowing that your colour profiles will match, and most importantly, your ability to produce repeat work to the same standards and in the same colours, has not been compromised.

 

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., the world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced its results for the first quarter of 2009. For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company reported revenues of $96.1 million, compared to first quarter 2008 revenue of $136.6 million.

GAAP net income was $26.7 million or $0.52 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2009, compared to a net (loss) of $(5.2) million or $(0.10) per diluted share for the same period in 2008.

Non-GAAP net (loss) was $(4.3) million or $(0.08) per diluted share in the first quarter of 2009, compared to net income of $12.0 million or $0.20 per diluted share for the same period in 2008.

Non-GAAP net income is computed by adjusting GAAP net income with the impact of recurring amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, stock based compensation expense, project abandonment costs, certain tax charges, as well as non-recurring charges and gains, such as asset impairment charges and our sale of certain real estate assets.

“Our results reflect the continued weakness in the global economy as well as our ongoing cost reduction efforts, which resulted in a 14% year-over-year decrease in operating expenses,” said Guy Gecht, CEO of EFI. “While our industry is not seeing any significant improvement in market demand, we are managing our resources to emerge from this slowdown a stronger company. Our recent introduction of the VUTEk GS3200 and GS5000r UV printers as well as new Fiery applications are key steps in maintaining our industry leadership. We will continue to take proactive steps to mitigate the impact of the current environment with more product innovations as well as an additional reduction in costs in Q2.”

 

At Fespa in Amsterdam on 12-14 May, Screen’s growing commitment towards environmental trends will be demonstrated with its large-format, high quality Truepress Jet2500UV showing its capabilities as a textile printer which complements its versatility to output onto most roll-fed  and rigid materials. Using the company’s own flexible UV-curable ink technology, display producers can now print direct to textiles for a wide variety of durable soft signs, banners and flags without having to resort to traditional two-stage dye sublimation processes.

The Truepress Jet2500UV uses Screen’s flexible UV-curable inks and drop-on-demand variable dot piezo-electric grayscale printheads to make it suitable for producing applications  on virtually all roll-fed and sheet materials. To meet the growing demand for textile-based  displays, these inks have been formulated with the correct levels of flexibility to make them  ideal for printing direct onto fabrics without the need for machine modifications.

The precision achieved from the 6 picolitre droplets, in combination with the elasticity in the  ink’s technology and the correct strength of UV curing, results in strong adhesion with no  flaking and cracking. Typical speeds of 34 square m/hour enable the Truepress Jet2500UV to  compete favourably with dedicated textile print on demand systems. Colours are strong and  vibrant and there is no need for special pre- or post-treatment of the materials.

Because of the drive throughout industry to use greener criteria where possible, producing  display applications onto polyester-based material is becoming increasingly popular because  of its recyclable properties. Polyester fabrics also benefit from being resistant to creasing, lighter and more portable than many traditional flexible alternatives, saving costs on logistics and deliveries as well as simplifying many installations.

At Fespa, the Truepress Jet2500UV has produced all the banners on the Screen stand,  printed at 900 dpi direct onto 2.5m wide polyester banners. This demonstrates not only the convenience of being able to produce applications in one step but also shows the cost and  time benefits gained by printing direct when compared with traditional two-stage sublimation  where additional calendering or a heat press is essential.

The Truepress Jet2500UV is a truly versatile performer and, as well as textiles, it can print  direct to other flexible and rigid materials, with fast and simple change-over between flat-bed  and roll-fed configurations. It has a maximum print width of 2.5 m wide and handles  substrates thicknesses of up to 5 cm and rolls up to 100 m in length. There is a maximum  production speed of up to 67.5 square m/hour, a choice of output resolutions up to 1500 dpi,  and its six-colour ink-set of CMYKLcLm can be enhanced with the addition of a white option.

Screen believes that, by adding digital textile production to the existing capabilities of the  Truepress Jet2500UV, this feature will appeal to users who want to benefit from being able to  utilise a single wide-format printer for all types of application. The printer ships with the  Screen edition Wasatch SoftRIP TX Gold which includes Screen’s own screening algorithm  for accurate, consistent output on all materials.

 

HP today announced that Cover-Up Limited, based in Dublin, Ireland, has used its HP Scitex XL1500 Printer to produce a building wrap measuring 4408m2 on behalf of its client JK Signage.

The building wrap has been designed to cover the entire exterior of the Beacon Court development in Dublin whilst construction work is being undertaken. It is expected that the application will be on display for up to two years. The wrap depicts the completed exterior of the building, showing people in meetings, looking out of the windows and standing on balconies.

Cover-Up printed the building wrap on 3.2m wide Vuflex Eash Mesh using HP Scitex Ink for durability. The HP Scitex XL1500 super-wide printer can print at speeds up to 124m2 per hour, which enabled Cover-Up to print the entire building wrap in just seven days. The front and back sections of the building wrap were produced as seven sections which were fixed together using high-frequency welding.

"Initially we were commissioned to produce a wrap to cover the front of the building; however, JK Signage was so pleased with the final result that the project was expanded to cover the entire development," said Anthony Byrne, manager Cover-Up Limited. "We were given a very tight schedule in which to print all the sections of building wrap, so the speed of our HP Scitex XL1500 Printer played a vital role in the success of the project."

Cover-Up, established in 1976, specialises in producing banners, flexible and rigid indoor and outdoor signage, boat cockpit and truck covers, point of sale items and building wraps. In 2008, it purchased its HP Scitex XL1500 to produce high-quality digitally printed items.

"When investigating the printers available on the market we wanted to invest in a machine that would provide us with high-productivity, reliability and optimum print quality and a quick return on investment," said Byrne.

"We looked at some samples produced on the HP Scitex XL1500 Printer and the high standard of print convinced us that this was the right equipment for us. Since installing our HP Scitex XL1500 printer we have noticed a significant improvement in the quality of our digitally printed jobs and have experienced a considerable increase in uptime - benefits we can pass onto our customers."