LFP - Large-Format-Printing
Media Graphs New EFI VUTEk h5 Printer Opens a World of Opportunities and Creativity
Thursday 13. May 2021 - Like many businesses across the globe, Media Graph has had to make some adjustments during the coronavirus pandemic. But that hasnt stopped the 26-year-old print and display company from keeping its mission to always push the boundaries of innovation and maintain the highest quality equipment on the market.
The recent investment in a new EFI VUTEk h5 UV LED hybrid flatbed/roll-to-roll printer from Electronics For Imaging, Inc. will help Montreal-based Media Graph expand its client base, “opening up the possibility to offer clients a whole new range of products and solutions in retail, hospitality, and office space,” according to Media Graph President David Sellam.
Adding the advanced, 126-inch wide high-volume production printer for premium-quality display graphics addresses a number of key applications. The company specializes in high-end digital printing, along with fabric frames, surface lighting, and light boxes with a large client base of retail and architecture companies. With an eye to the future, Media Graph President David Sellam planned a year ago to expand and began researching UV and UV LED print solutions that would have the potential to help the company grow its client base.
A premium-quality one-stop shop
With the new hybrid print solution installed, Media Graph is preparing to take advantage of future opportunities, leveraging its comprehensive range of lightbox and display graphics offerings in a recovering economy.
“When the pandemic hit, we believed there would be fewer competitors down the road, which is sad, but a fact,” said Sellam. “But we are a strong company that has different divisions and will survive this and be ready for the day after.
“The advantages we bring to the market are based on a few elements, including our inhouse capabilities as a print shop, metal shop, and lighting division, which is very unique here,” he added. “So we can combine and provide for our clients a one-stop shop and quality control in managing and distributing complete campaigns.”
Media Graphs capabilities with the VUTEk h5 stand out locally, as the company is one of the first few businesses in Quebec to adopt this advanced superwide-format digital print production platform.
Prints on almost any substrate
The printers “cool cure” UV LED technology cures prints at lower temperatures, giving Media Graph the ability to run thin or challenging substrates that cannot withstand the heat required in UV or latex printing. The lower-temperature curing also translates into lower energy costs compared with similar UV and latex printers.
According to Sellam, the versatility possible with the printers UV LED inkjet imaging was a key motivating factor. “The printer can print on almost any substrate, so it really can take us to different domains,” he said. “Because we deal with architects, they can lead us to any kind of request and solutions that their clients might require. Interior design applications are endless.”
“We did a survey among our clients to see what they use,” Sellam added. “Substrates like Sintra, different kinds of cardboard, adhesive vinyl, plexiglass – all of those will be part of the samples we create on the new printer.”
Media Graph team members have also contacted major substrate manufacturers with whom they would like to partner. Currently, the company is designing new branding and marketing materials as Media Graph speaks with new and existing clients about the expanded capabilities the new printer delivers.
The EFI VUTEk h5 printer provides superior efficiency and quality in eight colors plus white, and up to nine-layer print capability. With a resolution of up to 1,200 dots per inch, the printers eight ink channels can be employed in a faster CMYK x 2 mode capable of producing up to 109 boards per hour. Media Graphs printer runs with an EFI Fiery proServer digital front end, combining faster RIPing with enhanced color management and screening features.