LFP - Large-Format-Printing
Ellis Studios upgrades to faster printing on larger media with the Inca Spyder V flatbed inkjet printer
Wednesday 29. July 2009 - When Ellis Studios realized it was time to replace its Inca Eagle 44 flatbed inkjet printer, it decided to upgrade to a faster production printer--a new Inca Spyder V printer.
Founded in 1947 and located the greater Toronto area in Aurora, Canada, Ellis Studios’ 22 employees create POP graphics and displays. While they started as a hand lettering company and graduated to screen printing, which they still do, the company invested in digital flatbed printing with a used Inca Eagle 44 a few years ago. They also have roll-fed print capabilities.
Recently the company realized that it had outgrown its Eagle 44 and decided to upgrade to something new, with greater productivity, a larger print format, and increased capabilities. While they looked at other machines, they decided that a Spyder V would be best for them–in part because of the superior features and in part due to the excellent service they had always received from Inca Digital.
The Spyder V printer, with a print area of 126″x 63″ on substrates as thick as 1.18″, has a unique Inca designed printhead array to achieve a faster throughput than the Spyder 320 printers. Print speed is up to 1,001ft2/hr in production mode with a maximum speed of 1,399ft2/hr. While the standard color set of the Spyder V is four color CMYK, a six-color version is also available with the option of using Fujifilm Sericol’s unique Uvijet Ultratone color system. The Inca Spyder V’s 25-picolitre drop size, combined with Inca’s own print module technology and motion system, delivers precise ink drop placement, producing the excellent print quality for which Inca is renowned. Its color management flexibility and easy file set-up make it a highly adaptable system for the display printer, producing a range of close viewing point-of-sale materials, external displays, backlit/frontlit displays and graphics.
“The Inca Spyder V had exceptional quality and speed, and we knew we’d receive outstanding service. One of the primary reasons we decided to purchase a Spyder V was due to the support we have received in the past, and the support I expect in the future from Fujifilm Canada. I knew if I needed help, it would be there,” comments Brian North, Ellis Studios president. “The machine is a bit more expensive than some others we looked at, but it was obviously a better-made machine, built for production. While we still print some one-offs, we focus on large print runs. The Spyder V is faster than comparable machines and, although we bought a CMYK printer, we can expand to six colors in the future.”
When they purchased the Eagle 44, Ellis built an air-conditioned, dust-free room and though it prints a larger sheet, the design of the Spyder V gives them much more space. In fact, Ellis could put two Spyders in the room.
“In this economy, the printing business has changed. Customers are cutting budgets and, although they do not print such long runs, they still insist on high quality,” says North. “The Spyder V has allowed us to get jobs we could not have landed in the past. Also, the 63″ x 126″ size made a big difference compared with the smaller sheets we previously used.”
Speed is still important, too. “Previously, when jobs came in, we expected them to be ready the next day. With the new Spyder V’s increased speed, we are able to print and deliver jobs the same day.” adds North.
I knew with the Spyder V I was getting a quality printer, capable of printing quality work,” concludes North. “The Inca Eagle 44 built new business for us and in these changing times, we believe that the Inca Spyder will continue to do that for us going forward.”