The Big Ink Tank doubles its print capacity and improves quality with the installation of the Agfa Anapurna Ciervo H3200 hybrid printer.
The Big Ink Tank, a Coventry-based provider of high-impact large-format print and installation services, has announced a significant upgrade to its production capabilities with the installation of an Agfa Anapurna Ciervo H3200. The new hybrid UV LED inkjet printer replaces an older Anapurna H3200i model, which had served the company since 2018.
Founded in 2009, The Big Ink Tank operates as a specialist unit focused on bespoke projects, including museum displays, gallery graphics, and complex exhibition signage. The investment in the Ciervo H3200 was prompted by increasing order volumes and the need to meet tightening client deadlines without compromising the creative, high-value service that defines the business.
The Anapurna Ciervo H3200 is a 3.2-metre hybrid system capable of printing on both rigid and flexible substrates at speeds of up to 192 square metres per hour. It features a six-colour plus white ink set (CMYKcm + W) and utilizes quick-release tables that allow the team to switch between roll-to-roll and flatbed configurations in minutes. According to owner Ty Power, the new platform has effectively doubled the company’s throughput while simultaneously improving print sharpness and ink efficiency.
Regarding the transition, Ty Power said, “Everything we do is pretty much bespoke, and our margins are based on adding value through creativity and service rather than just chasing volume. The decision to bring in the Ciervo H3200 model was a strategic step for us as a business. The new platform has given us a real leap forward. For example, the print quality of the Agfa wide-format inkjet printer we were running was perfect for the work we were doing but as technology has moved on, the new model’s print quality is even sharper and smoother.”
The upgrade also included a transition to Agfa’s Asanti workflow software, an automated production hub powered by the Adobe PDF Print Engine. Asanti handles colour management and pre-flighting, which Power noted has simplified production for his six-person team. Power explained, “Moving from our older RIP to Asanti was probably the biggest worry. But after a few weeks it just became normal. Asanti is so intuitive and user-friendly that now we’d struggle to go back.”
A key factor in the decision to reinvest with Agfa was the established support relationship. Power cited Agfa’s ability to provide rapid technical assistance and overnight software updates as essential for a small, agile business. He added, “We’ve effectively doubled our throughput without needing a bigger team. For a business of our size, that’s huge. It gives us a solid five-year platform where we know we’ve got the capacity and quality to grow.”
James Argent, Sales Manager (UK South) at Agfa, noted that for companies like The Big Ink Tank, hardware investments must deliver measurable reliability. Argent said, “Companies such as Ty’s are the bread-and-butter of the print industry. They are producing great work for a loyal customer base. So, when they choose to invest, it is a major step for them and must be the right choice to help them cement their position and grow their business.”