Multi award winning large format digital print production company Imaginators is predicting at least a 20% turnover jump in a year with the purchase of Durst’s largest and most advanced digital printing machine, following funding from HSBC.
Imaginators, a privately-owned family business, prints and installs large format graphics for a variety of industries. These include stage branding for the music industry, music festivals, live entertainment and live events, sports branding, exhibition, experiential marketing, retail and point of sale graphics, giant building wraps and outdoor advertising.
The new semi-automated 5m wide Durst Rho 512R joins existing Durst technology already installed at Imaginators. The new Durst 512R enables Imaginators to print at resolutions of up to 800dpi and speeds on 350m2/hour at 5m wide.
With the backing and support of HSBC Mr Tydeman added: “We have banked with HSBC since 1976, and with the bank’s understanding of our business, industry knowledge and professional guidance we have been able to stay ahead of the competition and provide our clients with a great service supported by some of the worlds most advanced printing systems available.”
Russell Marchant, HSBC’s Area Director of Business Banking in East London, said: “HSBC has financed the last eight pieces of equipment for Imaginators over the past 12 years, with the last piece of equipment resulting in Imaginators winning many new clients which is a fantastic achievement. The company is well established within its industry with some high profile, prominent brands and, with an ambitious business plan, Imaginators are well-placed to continue expanding.”
This has now enabled the 40-year old business based in Essex to approach new clients in the retail, event, exhibition and sports markets, as the new machine meets the demands of these markets. It has also allowed the company to improve its services to its current client base, including some of the most iconic music festivals in the UK including those for BBC, Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds festivals, V Festival, Wireless and others together with retail brands Diesel, Alfred Dunhill and Marc Jacobs.
Matt Tydeman, Director and Founder of Imaginators, said: “The Durst 512R is considered one of the best digital printing systems available today with its unparallelled quality and incredible print speed which has already had a huge positive impact on production time shifting production from weeks to just days. We can now produce stage sets – a recent one was 90 metres wide and joined seamlessly – within a week, thanks to the speed of the Durst. In the past this would have taken at least two weeks due to the complexity of printing and finishing especially for multiple content. Since the installation, we’ve really benefited from the quality and output speed of the new Durst 512R press”.
“The success is already opening up further opportunities for high-resolution printing within our established business areas including event, retail and exhibition work, as well as for sports brands and their stadiums. Business is good and we’re confident of at least a 20% turnover increase in our first year, plus a return on investment certainly within two years”.
