U.K. Print Shop Continues Technology Investments
Cheadle, U.K.-based Cestrian Imaging, a print shop that serves customers worldwide, has become one of the first companies in the world to invest in anEFI VUTEk HSr Pro, according to the Fremont, California-based printer manufacturer.
The purchase of the HSr Pro, a dedicated roll-to-roll inkjet press, was part of a dual-press purchase that Cestrian made from EFI. It also bought an EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro hybrid roll/flatbed press.
In the past three years Cestrian has invested more than 2 million British pounds—or nearly $2.9 million—into the latest printing technology.
“At Cestrian we pride ourselves on developing and processing materials which provide our customers with the best solutions for their requirements, including those products that have high environmental credentials,” says Paul Gibson, the company’s production director. “However, our innovative approach to product development is not without its challenges, with some materials providing print instability and ink adhesion issues, for example. The EFI VUTEk presses give us the flexibility to process these materials with a low amount of waste, offering high quality at a competitive speed.”
One of the first companies in the U.K. to offer inkjet billboard printing, Cestrian today can also wrap an entire building. The new VUTEk HSr Pro roll-to-roll press can handle flexible substrates up to 126.5 inches wide, and it comes with an elevated unwinder and rewinder system and multi-roll capability with two 60-inch rolls.
Along with its two EFI presses Cestrian also uses the latest version of EFI’s Fiery proServer technology to reduce RIPing times with the presses.
The addition of the two new EFI presses are just the latest additions to the company’s extensive equipment list. It also uses several printers from HP; as well as printers from Inca, Agfa, Durst, Mimaki and MTEX; and other equipment includes an Esko Konsberg digital cutting table; FIAB welders; Fotoba trimmers; a Miller heat-sealing system; andMonti heat presses.
Cestrian has been around for more than 20 years and employs more than 80 people. It has a reputation for delivering high-quality, timely results for its clients’ outdoor graphics and poster printing needs, and it has even developed its own proprietary software to streamline the entire customer service process with online bookings, proofing and approvals.