LFP - Large-Format-Printing

Oldest sign maker in The Netherlands uses Roland DG printer for sublimation

Monday 13. December 2010 - The Van Sprang family business was founded more than 50 years ago. Father and son print everything: from business cards to large billboards. They use a Roland SJ-1045 for sublimation on textile, tiles and aluminium. The results are said to be sublime.

Ton Van Sprang graduated in the early 1950’s as an accountant. Soon, he knew that this wasn’t his calling. He experimented at home with printing and not long after he founded his own offset printing company. In 1984, his son joined the business. This computer fanatic immediately bought the first cutting machines. In the early 90’s, they added full colour printing to their range. Today, Van Sprang offers its customers from the advertising business all available large format printing techniques.

Sublimation is gradually becoming more important for the company. They make all sublimation prints with a Roland SJ-1045. Father Van Sprang explains: “We started about a year ago with sublimation as an additional service. Now, our regular customers’ demand for sublimation prints and sublimated products is high. In time, sublimation should generate about a quarter of our return.”

Van Sprang’s sublimated aluminium plates are magnificent. Jean-Peter Van Sprang: “We sublimate on plates of 1.5 by 3 meters at the most. The sublimation technique is more durable than other full colour techniques. These sublimated plates even have an outdoor life-expectancy of eight years. Moreover, they bend easily, so there are many opportunities to make something special.”

The Van Sprangs are very satisfied with the Roland printer. Father Van Sprang: “The print quality is very high and the machine is extremely reliable. The machine is always running smoothly. We didn’t need a training to learn how to work with the printer. I have been working with similar machines for 25 years and the Roland is easy to use.”