LFP - Large-Format-Printing
Spandex Installs Europes First Gerber Solara ionx Wide-Format, UV Inkjet Printer at Alpha Sign Systems
Saturday 07. June 2008 - Spandex, the pioneering one-stop supplier of complete and innovative solutions to the digital printing and sign making industries worldwide, has announced the first European installation of its recently announced Gerber Solara ionx flatbed/roll-to-roll, wide-format, UV inkjet printing solution.
UK-based, Alpha Sign Systems took charge of the versatile Solara ionx at the end of April, after deciding that the printers numerous feature-rich attributes and cost-effectiveness provided the best all-round package to enhance its wide-format digital offering.
According to John Teteris, Alpha Sign Systems Managing Director, the Gerber Solara ionx stood out from the competition, thanks to its very favourable price/performance ratio, which he believes, will reduce production time to around a third. Mr Teteris was also impressed with Gerbers low-temperature Cold Fire Cure technology and advanced GerberCAT cationic UV inks, which are cured at room temperature to expand the range of printable substrates. The combination means that heat sensitive plastic, vinyl, fabric and paper-based materials can be printed without concern over ink adhesion or material damage.
“Cold Fire Cure technology and GerberCAT inks give us the ability to print onto a vastly increased range of flexible and rigid materials as they enable a strong and flexible mechanical bond that is immediately usable”, he explains. “Unlike UV flatbed printers that cure in the traditional way, the Solara ionx delivers printing with no thermal impact to the media. This will significantly extend our capabilities, as well as ensure that printed output will meet and even exceed the standards expected by our customers.
“Im also pleased at how Spandex has positioned the Solara ionx on price”, he adds. “Certain other machines we looked at were much more expensive and didnt offer the blend of speed, quality, versatility and value that, together, make a real difference to revenue.”
Should they require it, the Gerber Solara ionx also provides Alpha Sign Systems with additional flexibility by managing certain applications, such as vehicle graphics, that can only currently be produced on the companys solvent printer. “Thanks to the ultra-flexible GerberCAT ink bond and an ability to easily switch from true flatbed to true roll to roll formats, we have the piece of mind that, if increased production demands called for it, the Gerber Solara ionx could handle vehicle graphics with ease”, says Mr Teteris.
Another key feature that persuaded Alpha to select the Gerber Solara ionx was its ability to deliver high print quality at impressive speeds. As a result, Mr Teteris and his team are able to produce print output at up to 60m2/hr on rigid and flexible, outdoor-durable graphics that are immediately usable.
“Although we have yet to truly put the Solara ionx through its paces, it is already evident that the printer is much faster than our existing inkjet equipment”, he says. “In terms of production time, the Solara ionx performs better, as it reduces the number of processes involved. We can now print a full, four colour image directly onto a composite panel, whereas this would have previously entailed printing an image onto flexible film, then laminating it with a clear film, before final lamination to the panel. I would estimate that, for such jobs, the Solara ionx reduces production time to around a third. This will increase our efficiency incredibly, save us valuable time and allow us to deliver jobs to customers more quickly.
“Basically, we are confident that both our service offering and competitive advantage will be greatly increased as a result of this installation and look forward to introducing its capabilities to our customers”, Mr Teteris concludes.
Alpha Sign Systems celebrates twenty years in business this year and provides full project management across a large and diverse portfolio of signage applications; including banners, POS, advertising hoardings and modular sign systems.