Making its worldwide debut in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the 3.3m Vutek Q3h XP hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED printer is designed to provide high-quality imaging and production-level printing for faster turnarounds, according to EFI. The printer is available with four (CMYK) or six (CMYK, lc, lk) colours and optional white and clear inks.

Featuring an industrial build for multiple-shift operation and 24/7 printing, the Q3h XP printer produces up to 905sqm/hr, equivalent to up to 96 8 x 4ft boards per hour, and features advanced board/sheet and roll-to-roll media handling and high-speed automation options, to minimise labour requirements.

The new 3.2m EFI Pro 33r roll-to-roll LED printer is based on the successful Pro 32r+ model, with a significant enhancement to overall printer performance – up to 35% faster in PoP mode – and higher imaging quality, reliability and dot accuracy with the new 5pl Ricoh Gen 6 printheads. Standard features that improve efficiency include an integrated mesh kit for printing on porous substrates, a wrinkle analyser to help avoid printhead strikes, built-in backlit proofing lights, and a built-in Fiery digital front end (DFE).

Value-added options that add versatility and further efficiency include white and clear (UltraClear Coat) inks, Y-slitters, automatic blockout and backlit printing. With print speeds up to 260sqm/hour, the Pro 33r platform is intended to help customers be more competitive and profitable, win more jobs, confidently commit to larger capacity runs, and lower their operational costs, says EFI.

Other exhibits on EFI’s stand at Fespa include the 558sqm/hr Vutek Q3r roll-to-roll LED printer, Fiery DFEs, and samples from the Nozomi 14000 SD single-pass corrugated printer and the EFI Reggiani EcoTerra pigment-based textile printing system.

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Founded in 1991, The Delta Group, which includes Delta Creative and Delta Display, create visual communications for UK brands in retail, out of home, events, entertainment, drinks and health and beauty.

Described as ‘heavy-duty printers,’ the Agfa Jeti Tauro H3300 can handle large workloads, multiple-shift operations and 24/7 printing. The UV LED curing and low ink usage of its Greenguard inks are said to offer ecological benefits that help print businesses lower their carbon footprints. Both the HS and UHS models within Delta support six colours plus white and primer.

According to the COO of Delta Display, Martin Shipp, who has been with the business for 25 years, the Agfa investment offers the business increased flexibility and agility.

Mr Shipp commented, ‘We did look at other print suppliers, but when we analysed everything – the cost per square metre, reliability, quality, source of inks and supply chain – the Agfa presses were the right decision for our business.

‘We’ve been running the machines now for a few months and we’re happy with their ability to improve speed without impacting on the quality. We are also very impressed with the ability of the machine to print white at speed. The Tauros can print white at 250-400sqm/hr, they can print larger format than our silk screen printers, offering 3.3m widths, and they are more cost-effective than our silk screen machines. The new Tauros are certainly delivering on our expectations.’

The Agfa Tauro HS LED machine was delivered in September 2023 and the Tauro UHS LED machine was installed in January 2024. At this time, the company’s original Tauro HS was decommissioned and moved to the company’s Biggin Hill facility where it has replaced an Inca S40i printer.

Mr Shipp concluded, ‘Our market and customer demand are forever changing and the Agfa Tauro engines are keeping us agile and helping us to flex and deliver. In retail, for example, we can now personalise the POS we send out to stores, it’s no longer a one-size-fits-all solution. Today a POS campaign may require 20 items delivered to each store quickly and all delivered with bespoke sizes and messaging. The Agfa machines are coping beautifully with this type of work.’

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Founded in 1848, Dornans offers services including small format digital printing, litho printing, direct mail, and CNC routing, while its digital wide-format department services the retail, education, and exhibitions market sectors.

In the company’s previous set-up, an InkTec Jetrix flatbed was used for wide-format printing. With the evolution of the business, the senior team chose to upgrade to the Mimaki JFX200-2513 EX. This decision was driven by the printer’s perceived qualities; fast and simultaneous white ink printing, ‘excellent’ print quality, ‘impressive’ speeds, and cost-effectiveness.

Steven Shalmani, Dornans’ client services director described the installation as a ‘robust leap forward’ with the printer being capable of handling white ink for window vinyls for its national retail customers. Mr Shalmani also described the machine’s ‘relatively compact footprint’ as a ‘big bonus,’ allowing the company to have a ‘physical closeness between printing and finishing’ as the JFX200-2513 EX sits next to its new digital cutting table.

The machine features a new print head configuration that is said to double output speeds when printing with white in all print modes. Other benefits include its ability to print onto a range of materials including acrylics, glass, metal, polyester, wood, stone.

The Mimaki uses variable dot technology that enables it to print with three different dot sizes, small, medium, and large. These tri-sized drops mean high resolution graphics can be produced smoothly, without a grainy appearance, at high speeds and in low resolution mode.

Mr Shalmani concluded, ‘With this strategic investment in Mimaki technology, we’re not just ready for the future but are actively shaping it, ensuring unparalleled service and quality for our customers.’

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The HP Wrap Camp will take place at the new PressOn facility in Whitstable on 13 March 2024, while the HP Sustainability Bootcamp will run on 14 March 2024 at the nearby PressOn Chatham site.

The HP Wrap Camp will offer attendees insight into the vibrant market of vehicle wrapping. The event will aim to help visitors learn about the entire wrapping process, from printing via laminating and cutting to applying graphics onto vehicles.

Paige Walton, founder and CEO of The Vehicle Wrapping Academy, will be in attendance and carrying out live demonstrations of wrapping, offering further guidance and advice to visitors.

The second event, in Chatham, will focus on the value of sustainability for the modern wide-format print and signage business. Hosted by the Make it Happen signage consultancy, on behalf of HP and PressOn, the Sustainability Bootcamp is a workshop that hopes to bring together corporations, companies and individuals to learn, discuss and share knowledge and ideas. In addition to highlighting how HP Latex print technology could support visitors with their long-term environmental goals.

Sarah Magee, the marketing manager of the Make it Happen signage consultancy, and Steve Lister, formerly head of sustainability at HH Global and now founder of Rethink Retail, will both speak at the event about the importance of the environment and offer advice to attendees about how their businesses can become more sustainable.

Jane Rixon, business development manager of large format production at HP spoke on the importance of teaming up with PressOn and other companies. She said: ‘We are delighted to be teaming up with our long-term partner PressOn to host these two special customer events.

‘While the events are very different in subject matter, both are equally important in terms of the value they offer to visitors.’

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The Big Ink Tank offers a range of services, specialising in exhibition graphics and large-format work for galleries and museums. It works with a number of high-profile clients including Peugeot and the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as more local customers such as Coventry Building Society and Coventry University.

Being constantly on the lookout for new opportunities was a key factor in the firm’s decision to invest in the VeloBlade Nexus 2516, a wide-format digital die cutter with a bed size of 2500mm x 1600mm. Combined with a CNC router, the system enables users to work with materials up to 25mm thick, such as Dibond, MDF and acrylic.

Purchased in December 2023 and installed in January 2024, the Nexus has become an important part of the production setup at The Big Ink Tank. The cutter has been put to work on a range of applications, with its automation capabilities said to make life ‘much easier’ for staff.

‘The VeloBlade Nexus fits in with our existing workflow by allowing files for cutting, routing and creasing to be automatically uploaded with minimal input from our team, The Big Ink Tank’s founder, Ty Power, said. ‘We are really benefitting from the speed of the machine; we no longer have to change the tools as they are automatic.

‘The quality of the cutting is also excellent, while the fact that the vacuum keeps the cuts so clean results in a huge time saving. We are still learning about new processes that we can then launch into the market.’

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Speaking about the co-location of SDUK with Printwear & Promotion Live (see preview on p40), event director Tony Gardner said, ‘Sign & Digital UK 2024 is the first SDUK under our ownership, and we are really looking forward to seeing how the co-located event works. All shows must continue to develop their offering and we believe a co-located event is key to help grow the show, and to attract a new audience into the world of sign-making and large-format digital printing. Visitors will have the chance to explore the latest technology and innovations first-hand, with many of these advancements being showcased in the UK for the first time.’

The exhibition will be complemented by the International Sign Association (ISA-UK) Explains Lounge. Now in its third year, the Lounge will host a series of presentations and panel discussions designed to inform and educate visitors to the show on the latest developments, trends and innovations and how they will impact the large format printing, sign-making and visual communications industry.

Topics include managing your sign business, business advice sessions, daily panel and feature sessions. The Women in Sign and Graphics session focuses on their contributions to the industry, while The Printing Charity will share ways to support mental well-being within the sector.

On the show floor, Hybrid Services, the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Mimaki Europe, is introducing three new printers at the event. These are the Mimaki TxF300-75 direct-to-film printer launched in August 2023, the UJV100-160Plus LED UV printer announced in September 2023, which will have its first UK exhibition showing, plus the first showing of the Mimaki UCJV330-160 LED UV integrated printer/cutter. The latter is a 1.6m production machine that Hybrid says offers ‘highly creative capabilities coupled with ultra-low running costs’.

RGB and Oki Europe are teaming up to support motor vehicle number plate printing with a complete ‘business in a box’ solution. They will be featuring the A3+ Oki Pro9542 printer, which includes white toner, and the Oki C650, described as ‘the world’s smallest high performance colour printer’  but still suitable for commercial print.

UK Feather Flags will showcase various products, including a new line of Eco fabric exhibition display solutions that it says demonstrate its commitment to sustainable signage. The company aims to build brand awareness, forge new business relationships, and gain insights into emerging market trends.

Sign Trade Supplies plans to display its range of sustainable aluminium profiles, sign fixings, and components, emphasising value to customers. The stand will also feature an interactive element, adding a ‘fun and engaging dimension for attendees’.

Assured Signage aims to use the show to highlight the potential of digital signage as a new revenue stream for traditional sign-makers and printers. It will present its media player, Sureview Genesis, which is claimed to offer offering exceptional performance and a low cost of ownership. The stand will also feature displays from Papercast, showcasing e-ink displays ideal for outdoor applications.

Roland DG  is taking space at both SDUK and Printwear & Promotion. At the former, it will showcase its new VersaObject MO-240, which replaces the company’s popular LEF2 Series and is designed to enhance direct-to-object printing with new levels of productivity. For those interested in signage, interior design and vehicle wraps, the company will also be showcasing its TrueVIS AP-640 resin printer, plus the popular TrueVis LG-640 UV print and cut device, and the 2.4 x 1.2m VersaObject EU-1000MF flatbed that can handle objects up to 95mm thick. These will be backed by demonstrations of the DG Connect software app.

Brownings, in partnership with Magnwall, plans to showcase novel wireless electrification systems at SDUK 2024. This allows users to mount electrical accessories onto the face of tension fabric systems, eliminating the need for complex wiring. The stand will also feature Brownings’ range, including TexSign tension fabric systems, Flex face products and bespoke snap frames.

BestSub will showcase its latest engraving machine, craft heat presses, Otter DtF system, and a comprehensive selection of craft supplies, materials, and tools.

InkTec had been planning to show a brand new printer, the Jetrix LXa5 flatbed, but the conflict around the Suez Canal has delayed it, so the firm will focus on sustainability, showing how Jetrix printers can be upgraded to move with the times and continue to deliver on their initial investment. The Jetrix LXi8 UV flatbed will be present, sporting a new user interface that improves the nesting and mapping capabilities of the printer to minimise media wastage. There will also be the first showing of the Jetrix XGR320 3.2m UV LED roll printer. Both machines will be printing with GreenGuard Gold accredited inks.

QPS will feature four LED UV printers from ColorJet on its stand – the 49sqm/hr Verve 2513M flatbed, the Verve Mini 1050 x 1650mm compact flatbed, the 2m width Vulcan Hybrid X and the 3.2m Vulcan 3201M which offers at top speed of 76sqm/hr. Collectively these cover a full gamut of wide-format applications from small signage and promotional items to high volume roll substrates, plus rigid materials including ACP, foam, board, flute board, glass, ceramic tiles and wood. QPS will also feature the Nazdar range of inks.

Drytac won’t have a stand of its own, but its products will feature on Epson, Hybrid Services and Roland’s stands, as well as that of exclusive distribution partner Premier Paper Group. While Premier will display a selection of Drytac materials and can advise about the full range, Epson will feature SpotOn Floor 200 and ReTac Textures Sand wallcovering films, while Hybrid will be printing Polar Chrome reflective PET, Polar Choice White film and Visiprint films. Roland’s stand will show ReTac ChalkMate, which yields a blackboard-type finish.

Another first will be the debut of the SC-V1000 A4 flatbed printer from Epson. This is an entry-level flatbed printer aimed at small businesses in the promotional goods industry. Described as highly compact and affordable, V1000 can print directly on a wide range of substrates with a thickness of up to 70mm, including acrylics, polycarbonates, PVC, aluminium, metal, polyester, foamboard, styrene, wood and stone, making it suitable for creating promotional and personalised items.

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The Vutek 3m h3+ and 5m h5+ feature media handling improvements that that will come as standard on new printers: an upgraded vacuum table allows for better control of thicker media and thin, light-edged materials, thanks to doubled vacuum strength on the print table. All new media hold-down rollers mount to existing Media Edge Guide (MEG) rails and the spring rollers force media into the vacuum, often eliminating the need for MEG skis entirely. When MEG skis are needed, they are now available in three thicknesses.

The h+ series offers new optional colour configurations as well, with double CMYK (including ‘lights’) plus clear and white or double white for greater opacity.

This allows two new clear ink options for Vutek h+ series users. EFI’s UltraClear Coat flexible ink that was introduced for its superwide roll-to-roll LED printers, is now available for the h3+ and h5+ printers. A second clear ink, EFI Vutek Endura Clear, which has a harder surface finish for increased protective qualities, is also now available for the h+ models.

Both UltraClear Coat and Endura Clear inks can be used for decorative applications – to enhance an entire image (full flood) or selected areas (spot) to add extra ‘pop’ to colours or special effects to graphics – as well as for a protective coating. They print inline, simultaneously with the image, with a gloss or matte finish.

In addition to the clear inks, an optional Gloss+ print mode achieved by controlling the UV curing process, as in some Inca/Agfa and Canon wide-format printers, can be used to add a flood or selective gloss effect to graphic prints. EFI describes this as a ‘perfect way to add value to short-run, speciality jobs, without the use of clear ink’.

‘We are excited to bring these new printers to market,’ said Todd Zimmerman, senior vice president/general manager Display Graphics & OEM Ink at EFI. ‘Vutek printers have been the leader in the hybrid category in signs and display graphics for more than two decades, with more than 300 installations worldwide. The Vutek h+ series answers some of the key pain points for our customers, all while improving ease of use and offering the LED environmentally friendly benefits you expect from EFI Vutek technology.’

EFI has also announced the availability of Transform-TF inks for thermoforming applications. Compatible with the h+ printers, the inks are suitable for first- and second-surface interior and exterior and non-backlit and backlit applications where common thermoforming is specified. EFI says the Transform-TF inks exhibit outstanding elongation characteristics while maintaining excellent adhesion and opacity, and provide ideal characteristics for heat bending and routing of acrylic sheets with no chipping or loss of adhesion.

Further developments for the h+ series are planned, with enhanced double-sided printing for high-value block-out applications expected ‘soon’. Existing Vutek h3 and h5 printer owners can upgrade their current unit with most of the new enhancements of the h+ series.

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The introduction of the EFI Pro 30f was important for a ‘speed boost’ to increase the company’s production capacity. John Paragian, owner and president of American Image said, ‘We were looking for a printer that would fit in our space-constrained facility and give us the speed boost we were looking for. The EFI Pro 30f ticked all the boxes. It has allowed us to print items we were not able to print before in terms of size, and it has also allowed us to consolidate our print production, putting multiple jobs on the printer at one time, adding to our ability to meet tight time-to-market requirements.’

The value of the printer to the company became more prominent with its ability to give users the power to print on clear and coloured media, as well as speciality and heavy media like wood, metal or glass with a total weight of 181 kilograms, backlit double-sided applications, and spot white to increase image vibrancy.

A decision on the investment in the EFI Pro 30f was made easy after seeing the printer in action and having interacted with the EFI team. Mr Paragian said, ‘If you are going to invest in a piece of equipment, getting to know the team that is responsible for it is a big plus.’ An investment which has paid off for Mr Paragian as he concluded, ‘If I had the room,’ he said, ‘I would acquire another one in a heartbeat.’

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Hollywood Monster CEO Simon McKenzie commented, ‘As a Birmingham-based business, we were delighted to play our part in the Commonwealth Games last year, supporting our long-standing customer CSM Live, in dressing our great city and helping to showcase everything it has to offer in front of a worldwide audience. Birmingham Festival ‘23 was another great opportunity to promote our vibrant and diverse culture and the communities that live and work here in the West Midlands, and we are honoured to be a part of that.

‘Our team worked tirelessly to provide graphics and designs that were displayed proudly throughout our hometown, with the bold designs and bright colours encouraging the vibrant party atmosphere. The extraordinary success of the Birmingham Festival is a testament to the hard work and dedication of numerous volunteers and partners who contributed to its resounding triumph, and we are thrilled to have played a part in that.’

The event was commissioned and supported by Birmingham City Council, with principal partners Arts Council England and University of Birmingham joining Hollywood Monster as presenting partner. The supplier of print and signage solutions is a big user of EFI Vutek wide-format printers, having installed its 10th unit in 2022.

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Taking a 50.1% stake in the Lithuanian company, Roland aims to strengthen the combined businesses’ presence in the wallpaper market through the continued development, sales and support of the Dimense and Ecodeco proprietary technologies of UAB Dimense. Dimense parent Vieka showed its novel digital wallpaper embossing technology at Fespa 2017 and established UK distribution via Colourgen in 2018. 

Using Veika’s technical capabilities and combining them with Roland’s manufacturing expertise and global-scale sales network, Roland says it will drive the development and sales of unique and high-value-added new digital printing solutions, with the goal to further expand the market by capitalising on these strengths.

Kohei Tanabe, Roland DG Corporation president and representative director, said, ‘I still vividly remember the day I first saw Dimense’s wallpaper solution in 2019. Today’s announcement marks a momentous fusion of our mission, ‘bringing new opportunities to society through digital technology’, and our purpose, ‘to empower creativity and excitement worldwide’, with Dimense’s unique and innovative digital embossing printing solution.’

Aleksey Etin, CEO of UAB Veika CEO stated, ‘Veika and Roland DG have been business partners since 2015. I believe that this joint adventure with Roland DG will be a great opportunity to benefit from the best that the two companies have: Roland DG’s expertise in printer development and distribution capabilities around the world and Veika’s know-how in inks and media development. This partnership will allow us to speed up the progress of Dimense and Ecodeco technologies, as well as take them to a new level.’

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