Speed improvements and direct to substrate printing with the new UV LED 3.2m hybrid printer open new opportunities
Signcraft, a third generation-family-owned sign business based in Middlesex, has transformed operations with the installation of an EFI Pro 30h UV LED hybrid printer from CMYUK.
At 3.2m wide, the EFI Pro 30h delivers significant speed improvements and expanded capabilities that have transformed workflow efficiency and further enhanced customer satisfaction. The investment was driven by the need for greater competitiveness and versatility.
The Pro 30h replaces an ageing flatbed printer and offers the business intrinsic versatility encompassed within a hybrid printer, able to handle rigid and roll materials on a single platform. Initially, Adam White, Sales Manager, was apprehensive about using UV on flexible roll materials, due to past experience, he was concerned about ink adhesion issues. However, as soon as he saw the Pro 30h in action at CMYUK, his misgivings simply evaporated.
“I had a set of assumptions that were 100% outdated,” he admits.
The EFI Pro 30h is a 4-colour printer that also offers standard white ink for high value prints. Its advanced UV ink formulation provides superior adhesion enabling it to print to the widest range of substrates for numerous applications. EFI’s UltraDrop technology also ensures 7pL greyscale printing in resolutions of up to 1200 dpi, while a magnetic linear drive guarantees precise drop placement.
This is the first time that Signcraft has used direct to substrate UV white ink in-house, and the transition has significantly transformed printing operations. Staff no longer need to manually cut and apply white vinyl as a backing to glass and acrylics, and this direct-to-substrate print capability is opening new opportunities.
“We were facing significant pressure to match competitor speeds while maintaining quality,” says Adam. “The EFI Pro 30h has completely transformed our ability to meet tight deadlines and handle larger volumes efficiently.”
The speed improvements have been particularly dramatic, with Adam citing an example of an 80-meter hoarding, which prior to the EFI installation, would have taken four days to print, but printed by the Pro 30h in a single morning.
This printer handles up to 230 sq. m or 60 boards per hour. A continuous board feature optimises speeds for large boards or multiple small ones – up to four at once. Transitioning between rigid to flexible printing is fast and easy, while dual roll printing further turbo charges operations.
After making initial contact with the CMYUK sales team, Adam attended one of the regular open house events at its Demonstration and Training Centre in Shrewsbury.
“Once we saw the Pro 30h, we just knew it would be a gamechanger, giving us the flexibility moving forward to do roll-to-roll applications,” he says.
Adam was really impressed with CMYUK’s approach and expertise. “They helped facilitate an excellent deal on our equipment purchase and were supportive through the implementation process. Training was also very good; I had no complaints from the guys,” he says.