EFI VUTEk

• Mimaki USA opens new Los Angeles Technology Center
  5 Mar 2019

  Mimaki USA, a global industry leader of wide-format inkjet printers and cutters, announced the opening of its new Technology Center located in Gardena, a suburb of Los Angeles.

• Nazdar announces new 735 Bridge Series inks for UV printers
  4 Mar 2019

  Nazdar Ink Technologies has launched a new high-quality alternative UV inkjet ink for printing-bridge industrial presses, HP Scitex FB7500 and FB7600.

• SDUK announces Sahar Hashemi as guest speaker
  4 Mar 2019

  Sign & Digital UK (SDUK) today announces one of the UK’s most inspirational female entrepreneurs, Sahar Hashemi OBE, will be headlining at the industry-leading sign and display show taking place on 2 to 4 April 2019, at the NEC in Birmingham.

• Printeriors to highlight decor applications at FESPA
  4 Mar 2019

  Printeriors 2019 will showcase both interior and exterior décor applications at FESPA Global Print Expo 2019 in Munich, Germany from 14 to 17 May 2019.

• Print On improves productivity with DYSS X7-1624C install
  4 Mar 2019

  Since its inception in 1995, Print On in Cheshire has evolved from a high-street photocopy shop to a digital print-on-demand company producing everything from posters and signage through to pop-up banners, stationery, die cut boxes, PoS displays, FSDUs, acrylic boards and general large format print and finishing.

• LexJet to distribute Fisher Textile dye sub products
  4 Mar 2019

  LexJet announces that it is the exclusive distributor for Fisher Textiles dye-sublimation fabrics that are converted to fit wide-format printers.

• Marabu at FESPA 2019
  1 Mar 2019

  “An Explosion of Possibilities” is the overarching theme of this year’s FESPA trade show in Munich, Germany. Marabu will be channelling this spirit by presenting its diverse inks for screen, digital, and pad printing, for both graphical and industrial applications. With its broad skillset, Marabu is a preferred partner for companies seeking new answers to their specific printing challenges.

• Speakers unveiled for Label Summit Latin America 2019
  1 Mar 2019

  A host of speakers representing well-known brands and top label and package printing stakeholders is coming together to take part in the forthcoming Label Summit Latin America 2019, which this year returns to Medellín, Colombia.

• Zünd UK to showcase cutting edge technology at SDUK 2019
  28 Feb 2019

  Zünd UK Ltd will once again return to Sign & Digital UK with a showcase of its precision cutting solutions.

• BPI Media Group installs the Durst Rho P10 250HS Plus
  28 Feb 2019

  A complete graphics communication solution under one roof, BPI Media Group has taken their business to the next level. Founded by Rex Davis in 1979, BPI Media Group is a family owned-and-operated organization that has developed into a full-service commercial print group and a leading provider of integrated campaigns utilizing state-of-the-art technology.

• Tarsus Group unveils new Brand Print portfolio
  22 Nov 2018

  The organizer of the Labelexpo Global Series, Tarsus Group has unveiled a new portfolio of trade shows targeting the branded print market, which aim to connect the whole print supply chain.

• New Drytac media perfect for use in food environments
  15 Nov 2018

  Drytac, an international manufacturer of self-adhesive materials for the large format print and signage markets, announces the launch of the ArmourPrint Emerytex and ArmourGrab combination counter mat solution. Having been previewed successfully at recent trade shows, the products are now available globally.

• Africa Exhibitions - 2019 Expo dates announced
  13 Nov 2018

  2018 Africa Print, Sign Africa and FESPA Africa Exhibitions were hailed a major success with positive exhibitor feedback and increased visitors. The event attracted 6494 visitors in total, with 5907 unique visits – an increase from 5839 in 2017 – as well as 587 revisits. The event was sponsored by Platinum sponsor Roland.

• Drytac grab attention with eye-catching floor graphics
  7 Nov 2018

  Many of us use our phones while out shopping: researching products, comparing prices, downloading coupons, taking photos of items to think about later, looking at a shopping list or simply checking the time. So, with so many shoppers looking down at their phones, retailers need to find new ways to grab their attention.

• New Xativa Vista wallpaper from ArtSystems
  26 Jun 2018

  Nottingham-based specialist distributor ArtSystems has announced the introduction of a new wallpaper to the Xativa range of wide format media.

• OKI ColorPainter earns Avery Dennison Performance Guarantee
  25 Jun 2018

  OKI Data Americas, a world-class printing technology leader, today announced its ColorPainter series of printers has earned an ICS Performance Guarantee from Avery Dennison that guarantees ColorPainter graphic output for up to seven years. The program has launched in the North American market and will expand globally to other regions.

• Esko and Clarity show power of workflow
  19 Jun 2018

  At a well-attended open day at the offices of Leicestershire based Data Image, Esko and Clarity Software demonstrated their latest product offerings.

• VGL signs for the new Durst P5 250 HS flatbed printer
  7 Jun 2018

  VGL, the Reading-based screen and digital print company, has become the first company in the UK and Ireland to sign up for a specialised version of Durst’s next-generation platform, the P5 Series, which was announced globally earlier this year.

• Launch of the Océ LabelStream 4000 series
  6 Jun 2018

  Canon, leader in imaging solutions, today launches the new Océ LabelStream 4000 series, an industrial-scale UV inkjet press with optional flexo printing, embellishment and finishing units.

• Kernow Coatings to show media for HP Indigo at Dscoop
  5 Jun 2018

  Kernow Coatings, the global leader in the development of digitally printable synthetic substrates, will be showcasing a new portfolio of HP Indigo printable synthetics at this year's Dscoop Conference in Vienna.

• XAAR wins 'Innovation of the Year' at 3D Printing Industry Awards
  22 May 2018

  Xaar plc, the world leader in industrial inkjet technology, has been awarded ‘Innovation of the Year’ at the 3D Printing Industry Awards 2018.

• Historika AG upgrades high-quality graphics using the EFI VUTEk LX3 Pro
  21 May 2017

  

  Electronics For Imaging, Inc. has announced today that the Oberuzwil, Switzerland-based advertising technology company Historika AG will install an EFI VUTEk LX3 Pro production-level LED printer. The company replaced a previously installed printer with the higher-productivity hybrid roll/flatbed EFI model, which was showcased at FESPA in Hamburg this year.

• Hollywood Monster growth continues as UK’s first EFI VUTEk 5r is installed by CMYUK
  14 Mar 2017

  

  Unless you’ve spent the last few years intentionally ignoring who is doing what in the wide-format digital print market, you’ll already be fully aware that Hollywood Monster is a pretty big deal when it comes to the volume production of retail sign and display print.

  There’s a well-known saying by Aesop – he of Fable fame – that states 'A man is known by the company he keeps'. If we accept that quote as accurate then we have to conclude that Hollywood Monster are currently right up at the top of the wide-format retail print hierarchy, as they’ve have been hanging out with some very illustrious company of late: at a recent thought leadership event, organised by Hollywood Monster and hosted at its Birmingham headquarters, speakers included Andy Street, Managing Director of John Lewis; Gareth Hudson, Head of Development at McDonald’s; Myf Ryan, the Chief Marketing Officer for Westfield; and Social Chain CEO, Steven Bartlett – assembled to investigate and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the £339bn retail sector.

  In fact there’s rarely a month goes by without some news from Hollywood Monster, be that a big retail contract win, a new printer installation, or even news of expansion into new territories around the UK – they recently opened up a new operation in London.

  So what’s new at Hollywood Monster right now? Well how about the installation of the UK’s first 5-metre wide EFI VUTEk 5r printer just a matter of days ago.

  Supplied and installed by EFI distributor CMYUK, the West Midlands-based display specialist selected the 5m-wide machine for its ability to meet the productivity levels required from its rapidly expanding retail customer base.

  Featuring high-quality output with 7 picolitre greyscale imaging in resolutions up to 1,200 dpi, the new VUTEk 5r model offers the fastest throughput in its class, giving Hollywood Monster the ability to maximise quality, performance and efficiency.

  Other standout features of the EFI VUTEk 5r printer include: powerful LED-curing technology; unique feature sets such as easy and accurate double-sided backlit and blackout printing; carriage height adjustment and wrinkle analyser to avoid head strikes; handling of rolls up to 750kg; and a raft of other well thought-out operator-friendly features that make the 5r intuitive to use.

  In terms of the production speeds achievable, Robin East, Group Director of CMYUK, comments: “We’ve run some initial tests on the new EFI VUTEk 5r, and we’ve already established that we can print saleable quality mesh at 455m²/h , and PVC banner at 212 m²/h. Pretty much any other material we throw at it can be printed in perfect quality at 148 m²/h.”

  Just as importantly in terms of overall productivity, the 5r features an inline XY finishing system for cutting and slitting, which enables the production of trimmed-to-size print straight from the printer. Hollywood Monster is now maximising its production time, with a fast print system and less downtime between jobs thanks to this integrated cutting function.

  Simon McKenzie, Managing Director at Hollywood Monster, explains: “Prior to the EFI VUTEk 5r installation, we would typically move printed output over to a cutting table for finishing. However, the 5r model’s XY cutting eliminates that process, removing significant delays.

  “It’s not unusual for us to print off hundreds or even thousands of banners for big events. Previously they would all have needed trimming on our cutting table, or – dependent on size – even by hand. That entire process is now completed on-the-fly during the print process. It’s a huge productivity boost.

  “Being a long-time UV-LED printer user, we already expect increased reliability, instant on/off of the curing lamps, the ability to print sensitive and thin materials, reduced costs of replacement lamps and reduced energy consumption. However, the EFI VUTEK 5r goes beyond that and delivers a number of new features aimed at running cost and waste reduction, including higher ink efficiency and a reduction in media wastage (just 40cm of wasted material per load).”

  McKenzie elaborates: “With multiple roll changes daily, combined with the volumes that we print, the reduction in media waste will result in us saving many thousands of square metres annually – over its lifetime, the media savings alone will make a significant contribution towards the machine's purchase cost.

  “All told, the EFI VUTEk 5r is a printer that appears to have been designed in association with experienced operators, as almost every new feature seems to solve a problem, improve a process or make the day-to-day running of the system easier and more efficient. For a busy business like Hollywood Monster, that can only be a good thing.”

  Robin East concurs: “The VUTEk 5r stands out in its field. EFI is now embedding technology within its printers that dramatically increases overall productivity. Aside of delivering the best in class quality at speed, with inline XY finishing, exceptional media handling and ease of operation, there is simply nothing else out there currently that can compete with this incredible printer.

  “This is the sixth VUTEk printer we have installed for Hollywood Monster in the last 12 years. We continue to work closely with the company, and keep them informed of any interesting technical developments. It’s exciting to work with a business as dynamic as Hollywood Monster; a business that embraces technology and innovation to solve problems, increase productivity and continually drive its own success.”

  

   

   

• Ottimo Digital installs UK’s first EFI Quantum 5LXr printer
  8 Mar 2017

  

  We’ve all heard about start-up businesses that began in a bedroom, garage or shed, that then go on to become a huge success. However, perhaps not all of them have managed that feat during the biggest UK recession in recent times.

  In 2009, Nick Lindwall and Lee Crew took the decision to walk away from paid employment to set up Ottimo Digital, with a dream of building a successful wide-format print business on the simple premise of providing outstanding print and exceptional customer service.

  Starting out in a bedroom-sized printroom in Newport, South Wales, and equipped with just one modest roll-fed solvent printer, the business grew rapidly. New business was won and customer retention was the default. This naturally led quickly to necessary investment in additional print hardware.

  The growth continued apace and in 2012 the Ottimo Digital HQ was relocated to a 5000-square foot production facility, with a printroom now equipped with a wide array of printers including a 3.2m wide roll-to-roll and an 8’ x 4’ flatbed.

  Fast forward to 2017 and that same printroom now boasts a large number of aqueous, eco-solvent and latex roll-to-roll printers, two UV flatbed printers and a 3.2m wide automated cutting table capable of cutting, creasing and routing.

  Pride of place is currently occupied by the most recent acquisition: the UK’s first 5-metre wide EFI Quantum LXr5 printer.

  The EFI Quantum LXr5 UV-LED printer – featuring powerful LED-curing technology with dramatically lower power consumption – is a seven-colour system with optional white ink and unique feature sets such as double-sided printing, wrinkle analyser and many more. The printer offers high-quality imaging with 7 picolitre greyscale imaging in resolutions up to 1,200 dpi.

  Additionally, the Quantum printer benefits from labour-saving inline finishing and single-operator media handling capabilities. It sets a new benchmark in reducing waste in media handling, with only 40 cm of wasted material per roll.

  The achievable print quality makes the EFI Quantum 5LXr ideal for exhibition graphics that are often viewed at much closer ranges than output such as signage, banners and billboards.

  Ottimo Digital Director Nick Lindwall explains: “Our business is primarily in exhibition graphics for retail and trade, and late in 2016 we identified a need for a roll-to-roll UV printer big enough to cope with high-quality 4-metre high exhibition stand graphics printed as a single piece. We were also keen to streamline our finishing process as that might have become something of a bottleneck if we began producing output that was too large to fit on our 3.2m cutting table.”

  Following investigation of the options available – and having spoken to EFI supplier CMYUK – Ottimo was recommended the EFI Quantum 5LXr, which offers the desired LED-UV ink curing, very high print quality, and – importantly – an in-built cutter that allows for the production of finished graphics straight off the printer.

  Nick continues: “We were invited by CMYUK to visit the EFI demo facility in Belgium to see the Quantum 5LXr printer in action. During this presentation, it quickly became apparent that the Quantum ticked pretty much every box. We came away suitably impressed and were confident that it was the right machine for us. We placed an order with CMYUK shortly afterwards.”

  Since installation last month (February 2017), and with the assistance of CMYUK, the EFI Quantum 5LXr has already begun to produce live customer work, with the first jobs being produced during the training process.

  Joint Ottimo Digital Director Lee Crew comments: “We are over the moon with this latest purchase. Entering the 5m-wide market, along with our already comprehensive range of equipment, means that we are perfectly placed to handle absolutely any project that customers require.

  “In addition to this, the Quantum is the only 5m-wide machine to offer full in-line cutting which will speed up our finishing process, enabling us to offer extremely short turnarounds.”

  CMYUK’s Robin East concludes: “Ottimo Digital are such an impressive operation, they’ve got a very loyal customer base and I can only see them growing further as their capabilities lead to them winning more new business. The addition of the EFI Quantum now enables Ottimo to offer its clients faster turnaround and superb quality. We’re delighted that CMYUK has been able to play a part in helping Ottimo move on to the next level in the development of their business.”

  [Photo shows: Ottimo Digital's Lee Crew (left) and Nick Lindwall (right) with the UK’s first EFI Quantum LXr5 UV-LED printer.]

• Epson to showcase 'power of SureColor range' at SDUK 2017
  18 Feb 2017

  

  At Sign & Digital UK, Epson will show the power of its SureColor range of wide-format printers, used to produce a wide variety of high-quality value-added applications.

• Nazdar SourceOne recognised as 2016 EFI Dealer of the Year
  12 Feb 2017

  

  Nazdar SourceOne has been recognised as 2016 Dealer of the Year by EFI.

• Minprint chooses EFI VUTEk Hybrid LED printer to meet expanding market demands
  30 Jan 2017

  

  Electronics For Imaging announced the installation of the EFI VUTEk GS3250LX Pro LED inkjet printer at Minprint, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

• EFI reports record fourth quarter, full year 2016 results
  26 Jan 2017

  

  Electronics For Imaging, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced preliminary results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016.

• New EFI VUTEk 3r LED inkjet printer enables same-day delivery on superwide graphics
  24 Jan 2017

  

  Campus Digital Imaging has invested in an EFI VUTEk 3r superwide-format roll-to-roll LED inkjet printer.

• Growth in inkjet graphics sees Kingswood iOptus invest in EFI print equipment
  4 Jan 2017

  

  Kingswood iOptus has augmented its wide-format digital print offering with the purchase of an EFI VUTEk GS3250lx Pro LED superwide-format printer and an EFI H1625 LED wide-format printer.

• New EFI Fiery DFEs announced for updated Xerox Colour C60/C70 Printers
  6 Nov 2016

  Electronics For Imaging today announced the availability of two new EFI Fiery digital front ends (DFE) for the updated Xerox Color C60/C70 Printer.

• Xerox's Jeff Jacobson to Deliver Keynote Address at EFI Connect 2017
  1 Nov 2016

  

  Electronics For Imaging has announced that Jeff Jacobson, president, Xerox Technology, will be a keynote speaker at EFI Connect 2017 - the EFI users' group conference in Las Vegas.

• i-Sub adds EFI VUTEk FabriVU 180 & 340 to soft signage printing range
  12 Oct 2016

  

  Specialist distributor and reseller to the textile printing market i-Sub has added the powerful and cost-effective EFI VUTEk FabriVU 180 and 340 high resolution fabric printers to its extensive portfolio.

• Shining a light on Northern Print's expanded VUTEk fleet
  11 Oct 2016

  

  Merseyside-based Northern Print has expanded its fleet of EFI VUTEk printers with a new HS100Pro from wide format print specialists CMYUK.

• 4walls purchases first EFI VUTEk GS2000LX Pro with UltraDrop Technology to feature clear ink at SGIA Expo
  18 Sep 2016

  

  4walls is enhancing its growing décor production operation with the addition of the first EFI VUTEk GS2000LX Pro with UltraDrop Technology LED inkjet printer to feature clear ink.

• Discover Roland DG, Discover #WithRoland blog series
  20 Jun 2016

  

  Roland DG has launched a new, innovative cross-EMEA initiative designed to connect with its customers: the #WithRoland blog series.