Graphicolor Printing, Inc., a Milwaukee-area based full-service commercial printer has doubled year-over-year wide format revenue with its line-up of Acuity digital inkjet presses from Fujifilm, including the Acuity Select 26, a versatile and high quality flatbed press offering print service providers like Graphicolor opportunities to expand output capabilities on rigid and flexible substrates.
Upwards of 20 years ago, Graphicolor Printing, Inc. opened its doors as a commercial printer, added cut-sheet digital, and then successfully transitioned into wide format, serving a variety of high-profile clients including a popular movie theater chain and two well-known Midwestern grocery store chains, with 24 to 48 hour turnarounds on most jobs.
“We chose the Acuity Select 26 from Fujifilm because we needed a higher quality press and the ability to print on a variety of substrates, quickly,” said Jeff Huebner, operations manager, Graphicolor Printing, Inc. “Our clients require a variety of different substrates for point of purchase, backlits, displays, posters, and in-store signage. Previously we were not able to print on substrates two inches thick, and now with the Acuity Select 26, we are able to offer our clients a variety of options. We’ve grown our grocery business tremendously over the years, and with the service and quality we are providing with our Acuity Select 26, our clients know they can trust and rely on Graphicolor.”
The Acuity Select 26 builds on all the advantages of the globally-successful and well-known Acuity platform, with the same ultra-high print quality, while adding new features that improve production efficiencies and extend its versatility, allowing for a wide range of applications.
Print performance is optimized by Fujifilm’s uniquely formulated Uvijet inks. These incorporate the company’s proprietary ‘Micro-V’ dispersion technology that consistently delivers wide adhesion, superb color vibrancy and excellent durability in every print.
Increased revenue and quicker turnarounds with outsourcing eliminated
“Our revenue has doubled in 12 months, as a direct result of the Acuity Select 26,” says Mike Huebner, president, Graphicolor Printing, Inc.
“Prior to the Acuity Select 26, we were spending a considerable amount on outsourcing, as we didn’t have the capabilities to meet the needs of our clients,” said Jeff. “With outsourcing, we had no control over quality, turnaround times, and costs. With the Acuity Select 26 we are now able to retain jobs in-house and also earn new jobs while outputting with much higher quality and quicker turnarounds.”
Fujifilm’s Uvijet KN Series ink improves ROI
“With the Acuity Select 26 we are definitely using less ink,” said Mike. “The ‘instant dry’ of this ink allows for efficient production; we can print, immediately take it to the cutting table, package the job, and it’s out the door.” The Uvijet KN Series is a high quality UV curable inkjet system, for Piezo Drop-on-Demand print heads, specifically developed for use with the Acuity Flatbed Series of printers from Fujifilm. The inks offer superb dot reproduction, lightfast bright colors, and adhere to a wide range of rigid and flexible uncoated materials. “Uvijet KN is a great ink, the wide color gamut is impressive and its adhesion properties are fantastic,” said Jeff. Uvijet UV Curable Inkjet Inks are designed exclusively for the Acuity Series of printers.
Graphicolor’s wide format line-up of Fujifilm innovations also includes two Acuity LED 1600 II presses. This hybrid printer offers groundbreaking image quality and class-leading productivity, allowing Graphicolor to efficiently roll print nearly 2,000 posters per month for their grocery store markets.
