10What They Need 12 13 Exchange - Efi

The three managing directors:Robert Schmidt (l), Sylvio May and Alexander Augustin.The EFI VUTEk GS3250lx Pro prints 60 1.20 m x 2.40 m boardsan hour.Alexander Augustin (l), Clemens Wurster, EFI Technical Sales Specialist and Karel Hošek, EFI Professional Services Consultant (r).SAME QUALITY ONROLLS AND BOARDSPRINT ON PRACTICALLYANYTHINGThe GS3250lx Pro printer’s LED-curedinks adhere to practically all absorbentand non-absorbent surfaces. And theprinter can quickly change from oneprinting mode to the other. “We wantedto offer the entire range at the samequality for our customers,” says Augustin. “We have definitely achieved thatbecause today we can produce the samequality on flexible and rigid materials.”The GS3250lx Pro cures the inksusing LED lights so films and plasticscan be printed without difficulty.“LED curing was especially important forus,” explains Augustin, “because it allowsus to print on a wide range of substrates:in addition to cardboard and paper, wecan also print on textiles, PVC, mesh,tarpaulin, self-adhesive films and vinylfor floor coverings.”IMPROVING IMAGES WITH WHITEFLEXIBLE, GOOD AND FASTThe GS3250lx Pro prints with 8 coloursthat can include either double CMYK inksor CMYK plus four light CMYK colours. Inaddition, there are two colour channelsfor white, which can be printed in onepass with the process colours. So oncoloured substrates, users can applygleaming white under the whole printedimage to make the process coloursappear more brilliant. They can alsoapply the white under parts of the image,which, when done on products like filmsfor light boxes, provides the same highcontrast on an image in transmitted lightas in reflected light.“We chose the EFI LED printer becauseof its great flexibility, quality andspeed,” Augustin adds. He gets greaterflexibility with the printer because itprints on boards or rolls and can handlea practically unlimited range of substrates. It offers high quality becauseit always prints with 1000 dpi resolutionand smaller 12-picolitre droplets. Ineight colours plus white, it prints at arate of about 110 square metres anhour. The LED lights have no problemcuring this, so the company canfinish boards and rolls immediatelyafter printing.AUTOMATING THE WORKFLOWTo complement their VUTEk printersand achieve the production efficienciesthey were looking for, the Printesso teamchose EFI Pace MIS software. The Pacemodules they chose included Price ListQuoting (PLQ), Inventory, Job Control,Job Shipment, Job Billing.Printesso uses PLQ to create quotes. Itworks this way: they send a customisedquote letter to customers, convert thequotes to jobs, use a customised JobJacket, create and track shipments andcustomise Delivery Notes from Pace, billjobs (including consolidated invoices)and send a customised Invoice report tothe customer.Printesso also uses a Job-Status workflow to have a high visibility of the jobsfrom a management point of view andfrom a production point of view.Pace Material Management is Printesso’snext step. The management trio hope toachieve more transparency, the ability toreduce on-hand inventory and to automate purchasing.5

YOUNG World FacesCollection by RobertYoung, Fabricated byMcRae ImagingTHE BENEFITS OFSOFT SIGNAGEDigital textile printing brings new applicationopportunities to display print businessesToday many wide-format print service providers are eager to determine potential newmarket opportunities, with prospects basedon topical technologies that can determinehow their jobs are going to be produced inthe coming years. Over time we have seenink formulations reach various levels ofdevelopment, with some becoming morepopular than others according to application type and end user requirement. But,at the same time, other chemistries mighthave been demonstrating their potentialbut, while many of these seem to bringmore advantages than disadvantages, theystill haven’t caught on.One often-discussed area, and certainlynot new within the realms covered bytechnologies suitable for display andretail applications, is that of digital textileprinting. For many years, the term softsignage has been bundled in with other6options when technologies are discussedbut, while some manufacturers and endusers have achieved great success, manyhaven’t found the process to be as immediately worthwhile as originally envisaged.Without doubt there are huge benefits tobe engendered when working with fabricsboth for interior and exterior applications.But no one will deny that there is a learningcurve to get the best of the technology –and this is an element which needs to beunderstood by everyone involved frommanufacturer down to display producer andprint service provider.Despite established opportunities andfurther potential for more traditional inktypes used for display production, marketdemands are showing the need for the useof lighter weight materials, easier logistics,and more environmentally friendly routes.For print service providers to offer theircustomers a wider range of options thereis a growing segment where alternatives totraditional processing requires a differenttype of print technology combined withthe necessary workflow and finishingprocesses. The concept of soft signageis not a new one but, although the use ofpolyester-based fabrics is widely realisedas a good alternative for many applicationtypes, the essential mix of hardware andsoftware expertise has not always beenavailable as a dedicated solution.The acquisition by EFI of established fabricprinter manufacturer Reggiani has lednot only to new opportunities in industrialproduction; it has also has broadened thescope for businesses wanting to enter thesoft signage market. The combination ofexperience and expertise from both companies now means that digital textile production can be taken to a new level for users in

the display segment who want a green yet versatile substitute for flexible graphics. AlthoughUV-curable inks can be used very successfullyacross a vast range of roll-fed media, with manyoptions that successfully emulate traditionalfabric printing, there are nonetheless manybenefits to be gained from using dye sublimation as an alternative. Primarily, durability and“hand” or feel are both very important factorsin applications where the result needs to drapeor hang naturally and this is not easy to achieverealistically without a dedicated textile platform.Because the sublimation process mean that thedyes, or inks, bond direct to the fibres of polyester based fabrics, applications have excellentlongevity and retain their strong saturation andpowerful colours with the additional advantagesof very high abrasion resistance without fading.Finished jobs are easy to handle without fearof creasing and, because of their lightweightnature, delivery costs are also lowered. Additionally, many applications used within a simpleframing structure are easy to replace in retailenvironments, removing the need for specialistinstallers or fitters.While most businesses are aware of the potential for soft signage the market is still largelyuntapped and offers huge growth potential fordisplay specialists, sign-makers and print service providers looking for new revenue streams.The ability to be able to produce very finequality graphics that compete with continuoustone images, along with strong block and solidcolours plus crisp text, is one major strengthgained by working with polyesters andmixes using low-energy dye sublimation orhigh-energy disperse dyes. However, of increasingimportance to brand owners and agencies isthe need for an environmentally friendly optionusing materials that are suitable for recycling.Likewise, the attraction of aqueous based inktechnologies brings with it a complete lack ofodour so that displays can be installed immediately following calendering or fixation.but also incorporates the right digital frontend and productivity software. These must bedesigned to optimise working with fabrics andthe idiosyncrasies of the sublimation process,with heat fixation being another vital ingredientfor finishing. Unlike machines which incorporate an integrated calender, independent unitsadd higher levels of flexibility and throughputoptions enabling users to run multiple printersand streamline their workflow.Although the principles are not new for printing,either as a two-step dye sublimation process using a carrier paper before transfer onto the finalmaterial or direct to the end fabric, the displayindustry as a whole has been relatively slow toaccept digital textile production as a valid alternative to existing technologies. Some potentialusers have shown concern about the learningcurve required while others believe the entireprocess is too complicated to be considered apractical option. Historically many machineshave offered relatively inexpensive choices buthave failed to stand the test of time or to reachexpected productivity and standards. A good return on investment must be based on high quality results that offer the right levels of durability,along with workflow and throughput capabilitiesthat allow businesses to generate good marginson both time and cost per print.EFI Reggiani is positioned strongly in the softsignage sector by unifying many decades oftechnology experience based on the transitionfrom analogue to digital production which isincreasing in importance throughout the textilearena. Many of the principles that are alreadyapplied successfully within the industrial fabricprinting segment have been refined so that,now, display producers are able to reap thebenefits that can only be gained through themanufacturer’s long-term expertise andmarket knowledge.The combination of the technologies availableboth from EFI and Reggiani results in a series ofprinters that not only offer the rugged reliability essential when producing soft signageThe introduction of the 3.4m wide EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340 and its smaller counterpart, the1.8m wide EFI VUTEk FabriVU 180, heralds acompletely fresh and innovative approach tosoft signage printing. These wide-format digitaltextile printers blend together new and established technologies that are based on sound andlong established manufacturing standards withintegrated state-of-the-art productivity capabilities. With these ingredients, users are assuredof reliability and superiority with streamlinedworkflow leading to high—quality results.Without doubt, the market is poised forsignificant growth within the soft signagesector, and this runs parallel to the increase indemand for industrial textile machines that nowdemand the ability to produce low volumes withmass customisation. For businesses wantingto extend the types of application that can begenerated using greener, easier to handle, durable and colourful print, dye sublimation nowprovides a formidable alternative for myriadinterior and exterior graphics.These images created for the PanAmGames and DKNY were printed usingEFI Reggiani technology by soft-signageproducer MacRae Imaging (Canada). Thedifference the Reggiani ReNOIR Pro madeto their business was “mind boggling,” saysco-owner Bob Murray. Read about McRae’smove to textile printing here:resources.efi.com/McRaeFabric Light Box, Printedby McRae Imaging7

HANDS-FREE CROSSMEDIA MARKETINGEFI Digital StoreFront version 9.0 releaseDigital StoreFront 9.0with DirectSmileCross Media CampaignsEFI Digital StoreFront 9.0 adds powerful integration with EFI’s leading cross-media marketing solution – EFI DirectSmile.EFI DirectSmile lets you create and manage cross-media marketingcampaigns, which include email, VDP Printed items, pURL, gURL, mobile pages, text messages and social media apps. DirectSmile makesit simple to build templates, add data and manage each step of thecampaign lifecycle.The integration of Digital Storefront with DirectSmile Cross Media,lets you offer marketing campaigns directly in your web-to-print store.Your customers can easily select a predesigned campaign, customiseelements such as images and text and then upload their own data.You retain control over the original artwork, enabling you to maintainbranding consistency while your customers are able to customisetheir campaign elements to suit their target audience and message.By offering campaigns in your web-to-print portal you get the benefitof continuous utilisation of campaign templates. In the past, your customer needed to contact your CSR for any changes to the campaign,which also required one of your operators to spend time implementing these changes. With the new integration into DSF, your customerscan make these changes themselves, leaving you with higher margins.Now, one campaign template can generate recurring revenue overand over again with minimal cost to you.Your customers can order campaign items like any other product inthe web-to-print system. As they configure items the pricing will beupdated to reflect the final costs. When they are finished they areasked to confirm the purchase through a standard checkout process.The simple and intuitive user interface enables even first-timeusers without any cross-media marketing experience to order andmanage campaigns.8The CampaignDashboardOnce the campaign is up and running, the Campaign Dashboardallows your customers to track and measure performance. Herethey’ll see live campaign analytics and response rates for both activeand past campaigns.The printed VDP components of the campaign can be automaticallyconverted to a job and sent to the Fiery controller for output – givingyou fully hands free end to end automation. This ensures that ordersare accurately and quickly converted to jobs, with minimalmanual intervention.The combined web to print and cross media offers an easy to useintuitive e-commerce platform, combined with the power ofDirectSmile’s multi-channel marketing solution.Download the Digital Storefront 9.0 Webinar to learn age Personalizationby EFI DirectSmile

THE PRINTER THATTAKES YOU TO THEBEST OF BOTH WORLDSEFI VUTEk HS100 ProThis revolutionary digital inkjet press delivers print quality approaching offset at the speed ofscreen—with lower operating costs than screen. It prints in white and has a full suite of automationand material handling options. Take off with EFI. Call 0808 101 3484 or 44 (0)1246 298000 orvisit vutek.efi.com/HS100Pro for more information. 2015 Electronics For Imaging, Inc. All rights reserved.9

Giving CustomersWhat They NeedCestrian expands capabilities, increases capacity and providesmulti-channel marketing—all while increasing efficienciesCestrian Imaging Ltd, based in Cheadle U.K., isa visual communications company employingover 80 people. Cestrian’s aim is to bring brandcommunications to life, from design to production. The company is an industry leader in PVCbanner and textile printing for retail point-ofsale signage as well as an expert in personalisedmarketing communications.10Most recently, the company invested in theEFI VUTEk HSr Pro, a dedicated roll-to-rollinkjet printer – part of a dual-press purchasethat also included an EFI VUTEk HS100 Prohybrid roll/flatbed printer. The company chose theEFI presses because of their robust productioncapabilities. The printers’ precise ink lay-downenables production-quality imaging at full-ratedspeeds. This enables highly consistent, reliableink adhesion on a wide range of substrates.“At Cestrian we pride ourselves on developingand processing materials which provide our customers with the best solution for their requirements, including those products that have highenvironmental credentials.

However, our innovative approach toproduct development is not without itschallenges, with some materials providingprint instability and ink adhesion issues,for example. The EFI VUTEk printers giveus the flexibility to process these materialswith a low amount of waste, offering highquality at a competitive speed,” said PaulGibson, Cestrian’s production director.CUSTOMER FOCUSWith 20 years of experience in the outdooradvertising market, Cestrian is known fordelivering high-quality, timely results for itsclients’ outdoor graphics and poster printing needs. The EFI VUTEk printers meetCestrian’s high standards with multiplerunning speeds and print quality settingsthat give the company the ability to quicklyprocess standard out-of-home graphics, aswell as high-end backlit display prints.One of the first companies in the UK tooffer inkjet billboard printing, Cestriantoday can also wrap an entire building,transforming any given urban landscapewith dramatic advertising images.Cestrian uses the latest-version of theEFI Fiery proServer technology to reduceRIPing times while ensuring consistent,high-quality imaging on its printers.The company also is a long-time userof EFI DirectSmile software, whichCestrian uses to develop personalisedmarketing materials.has been able to take advantage of its timesaving capabilities, allowing the companyto set up a campaign, schedule it for a specific time and leave it to distribute.“The marketing industry ischanging rapidly, with multichannel communicationsconsidered the most effectiveway of engaging consumers.”Emma Baker-Smithtargeted, follow-up campaigns.”DirectSmile’s personalisation capabilitywas another major deciding factor forCestrian. “Personalised marketing materials evoke an emotional and impactfulreaction from the recipient in a way thatmass communications just can’t,” says NeilBather, managing director, Transeo Media.“Statistics show that marketing materialshave just seconds to catch the attention oftheir target audience. For this reason alone,it is essential to get the right mix of creative design, messaging and fulfilment andpersonalised content can increase a campaign’s chance of success dramatically.”TRAINING AND SUPPORTMEETING DEMANDS FORMEASURABILITY“The ability to create, test and dispatchfrom one screen dramatically increasesthe speed with which we can complete anddistribute a customer campaign,” saysBaker-Smith. “Being able to track campaignresponses and measure activity is also trulyinnovative. This allows us to improve ourcustomers’ databases as well as strengthentheir customer relations through better“The training provided by Transeo Mediawas excellent, and the support team arealways on hand to provide a quick solutionto any query. Even when we were interested in doing something that the system wasnot developed to do, the team were keento help us devise a new way of fulfillingour needs and ensure our satisfaction.Ultimately, with the help and advice fromTranseo Media, DirectSmile has opened oureyes to what can be achieved,” concludesBaker-Smith.MULTI-CHANNEL MARKETINGWhen Cestrian was looking for a systemthat would seamlessly synchronise print,URLs, Email and SMS whilst trackingresponse rates to deliver increased ROIfor its customers, the company chose EFIDirectSmile. Not only was DirectSmile ableto provide this solution, but it also provedextremely easy to use and enabled Cestrianto streamline operations.Emma Baker-Smith,Marketing Manager, CestrianThe EFI high speedprinters in Cestrian’sproduction hall“The marketing industry is changing rapidly, with multi-channel communications considered the most effective way of engagingconsumers,” says Emma Baker-Smith,marketing manager, Cestrian.“Following the demonstration and valuableadvice from Transeo Media, UK distributor of EFI DirectSmile, it was clear that itwould offer us an easy-to-use solution thatwould enable us to realise fully integrated,targeted marketing campaigns that deliverincreased ROI. Since its installation, thesystem has already proved to be moretime and cost efficient than our previousplatform, allowing us to be more profitableas well as provide a quicker service.”As DirectSmile is fully automated, Cestrian11

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a sufficiently fine resolution. Only EFI had machines which met their needs and, with 1,000 dpi and 12 picolitre drops, printed the highest quality at the fastest speed. They chose the EFI VUTEk GS5000r and the EFI VUTEk GS3250lx Pro. WELL-TRAINED When the VUTEk printers were installed, EFI provided thorough product training.