LFP - Large-Format-Printing
Icon moves to EFI technology to gain speed and quality advantages.
Wednesday 05. February 2014 - UK's First VUTEk HS100 Pro Goes to Consolidated Event Specialist
The move that finalises McKenzie Clark’s integration with Icon, following acquisition by Chime Communications, has led to further investment being made with the purchase of a VUTEk HS100 Pro high-speed digital press, the first to be installed in the UK. As a first-time purchaser of EFI technology, the company’s new flat-bed and roll-fed UV-curable 3.2m platform is complemented by the Fiery proServer digital front-end, enabling both throughput and quality to be addressed on the same device without compromise, and is an important addition to increase productivity of point-of-purchase and event graphics.
The amalgamation into a single site for the former McKenzie Clark and Icon brings together two diverse areas of wide-format display requirements as precision photographic quality output combines resources with sport and event brand management in one production area. Managing directors Graham Clark and Keith Goodwin believe that the variance in print criteria is easily addressed with the high-speed VUTEk HS100 Pro press, which features the latest greyscale print-heads plus EFI’s innovative pin and cure technology that allows for greater droplet control and different finishes across a variety of materials.
For Icon, the key necessity was to supersede its existing Lambda output with newer, more sustainable technology without compromising the superlative quality for which the company is renowned. “It is vital that we maintain consistency across colours with the option for matte, satin and gloss finishes so that we can easily meet the results expected by our clients, many of whom specialise in the beauty and fashion sectors,” states Clark. “Our prior experience of wide-format printing technology has increased our expectations of what we can expect from the right platform. Although this is our first ever purchase from EFI, we are confident that the VUTEk HS100 Pro is the right machine for all of our requirements.”
“The contrast in print needs created by the complementary markets in which Icon specialises means that our newest wide-format printer must give us the best of both worlds,” explains Goodwin. “It is essential that it addresses very fine standards of print with precision colour matching for close viewing, yet accommodates extremely high throughput speeds for jobs which are going to be observed from a distance.”
Formed by the merger of Speedway Signs and Aerosigns, Icon’s roots go back to 1937. The company is the UK’s largest event branding specialist, handling major events worldwide including the forthcoming Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, which it is sponsoring, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. McKenzie Clark was founded in 1963 and its expertise in live events and retail is complemented by full design and management services. The acquisition of the two companies by Chime Communications consolidates the strengths of both businesses and accelerates continued expansion. The investment in the EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro and EFI Fiery proServer increases their wide-format capabilities with the steady growth in production demands.