LFP - Large-Format-Printing

On Cloud 9 with Roland SP-540i

Tuesday 13. January 2015 - It has been just over a year since Dublin based, Cloud 9 Graphic Solutions, a traditional lithograph printer, made the decision to enter the wide format digital printing market. In November 2011, Cloud 9, purchased a Roland SP-540i from Sign+Digital and in the words of Peter Carroll, Owner and Managing Director at Cloud 9, the decision has been a complete 'game changer' for the business.

Specialising in short format print and graphic design, Cloud 9, like many small format printing companies, found they were outsourcing almost all of their wideformat print work. With a lack of control over deadlines and print quality Peter identified the opportunity to improve their customer offering by investing in a large format digital printer. When it came time to choosing which machine to invest in, Peter commented: “We looked at a lot of machines before deciding on the Roland SP-540i. One thing that stood out to me about the Roland technology was that it didn’t matter what size the project you were printing was, whether it be a poster, roll up or large banner, the quality of the print never varied and you could be guaranteed a consistent print every time. Peter continues: “I was also very impressed by the Roland VersaWorks and its ease of use as well as the print and cut functionality of the SP-540i which I knew would be a big time saver for our production team.”
The Roland VersaCAMM SP-540i is an easy-to-use machine, producing superior print quality on a wide variety of applications. Available in both 30″and 54″models, it comes with a low initial investment and is the ideal entry level model for graphics professionals and commercial printers.
Since installing the Roland SP-540i Cloud 9 has gone from strength to strength. With the recruitment of 4 new staff in the last year including a new Graphic Designer and Print Finisher, the company has almost doubled in size. Peter explains: “We have now moved our whole production unit in-house and are actually now selling more large format print than outsourced litho. In the past we had busy periods and quiet times like every business but now we find we are constantly busy throughout the year with ongoing projects.”
Cloud 9 Graphic Solutions purchased the Roland SP-540i from Sign+Digital. Peter explains “When we were deciding where to purchase the SP-540i our decision didn’t come down to price, for us it was all about service and making sure we had the back up support that we needed.We also had to be confident that our wide format printed materials matched with the quality of all our short format print, for Cloud 9 quality and consistancy is everything. With Sign+Digital I always knew the back up support would be there. In a busy production unit you need to know you have the proper technical support and I haven’t been disappointed once. I have been so satisfied that I know the next machine we invest in will only be a Roland. “