EFI MyVUTEk Editorial

It’s been my pleasure to bring you articles written to help you with your business. On the pages of MyVUTEk you find news about EFI, technical advice and stories about how printers around the world are using VUTEk technology to stand apart from the competition. I can honestly say that with this issue of My VUTEk I have come across the most unusual application of all. The story is about an enterprising businessman in the Netherlands who uses his VUTEk to make coffins. That’s right, coffins. Read below about this amazing use of UV flatbed technology.

Our lead story is about how another enterprising printer in France used his VUTEk to win business from one of the largest agencies in the world. His formula—dazzling resolution and deadline-driven productivity.

It is also important to point out that getting the most out of your VUTEk is not limited to the RIP and the engine alone. Having an efficient, client-focussed workflow is equally important. Learn how the EFI workflow experience can help you to boost profits. In addition, you’ll want to see how Fiery XF support services can increase your return on investment. The same article will tell you how you can get the most from your hardware with a Fiery XF proServer.

I hope the articles in this edition of MyVUTEk will help in your effort to make your operation run smoothly and to be more profitable. If you have a VUTEk story you’d like to share contact me at adriana.puccio@efi.com.

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MAXPRINT Reap the Rewards of Planning and Differentiation

Large-format printer grows its business throughout France.

 

Some things never change. And for MAXPRINT, a large-format printer in Ozoir-La-Ferriére, France, that is a very good thing because what never changes is the company’s continued improvements, technical expertise, and uninterrupted growth.

Every year since its founding in 2004, the ambitious firm has added new markets and clients, thanks to its corporate value system.

"We invest in more efficient printing and finishing systems every year," says cofounder Valérie Lemaire, who, with her staff right behind her, adheres by several additional business philosophies to reach her goal:

"One, you have to be in love with your industry, which we are. Two, you have to have respect for colour and graphics, and everyone at MAXPRINT has that respect. Three, you have to create an environment where nothing gets in the way of workflow, from the client order to final delivery of the project, and we maintain a system where workflow can be consistently uninterrupted. And four, you must learn how to deal with extremely tight timelines and deadlines. That’s what we’re known for."

Maximum Experience

MAXPRINT produce print for the event industry, including posters, banners, exhibition stand graphics and more.

"I realised right away that MAXPRINT's success depended on combining the highest quality with the tightest deadlines. That’s what most clients require, and that’s our niche," says Lemaire, who led the concerted effort to select only the most innovative large-format print technology.

"We were already aware that 70 percent of our business came from elaborate and intricate exhibition stands, but we wanted to improve our position even more with addition of oversized signage and point-of-sale advertising," Lemaire says. "EFI seemed to be the company to go with for that."

Following a comprehensive comparative study, MAXPRINT selected the EFI VUTEk QS2000, a flatbed printer that could achieve high-definition quality at high production speeds.

"At that time," Lemaire explains, "we were able to accurately assess the professionalism and expertise of EFI’s product support team, as well as their availability. That was also a deciding factor."

Point of Differentiation

Following the purchase, MAXPRINT expanded in precisely the way they had hoped, taking on many more signage and POS jobs. They also continued their emphasis on flexibility and what Lemaire calls a “tailored organisational structure.” As a result, the company has been able to differentiate itself further from its competitors.

Recently, MAXPRINT aimed even higher by targeting shopping centres that typically use massive billboards to tie into holidays such as Valentine's Day, Christmas and New Year, the new school year, etc.

With a new facility and a new goal for a new year, MAXPRINT selected an EFI VUTEk GS5000r, a five-metre roll-to-roll UV printer.

"We didn't really need to do a comparative study this time because we were already completely reassured by the reliability of our previous EFI purchases," Lemaire says. "We were also convinced of the reliability of their customer service and technological teams, their ability to listen and provide advice, and their commitment to the success of our organisation.”

The VUTEk GS5000r features ultra-high resolution for premium indoor graphics, and multi-roll printing for high throughput and production flexibility. It is the perfect printer for the kind of billboard printing MAXPRINT was now hoping to turn into another in-house specialty.

One of MAXPRINT's first new customers who came aboard after learning of the GS5000r installation was Havas Event and Publicis, the second largest advertising agency in France and seventh largest in the world.

A busier and more proactive printer in France would be hard to find—yet MAXPRINT continues to prepare for the future. New projects and programmes are already in the planning stages. And that’s because for certain companies, some things never change.

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Get Hassle-Free Hardware, Software, Support & Maintenance from One Source – EFI

Get the most from your VUTEk Printer with EFI Fiery proServer

In any economy, you need to make the most of your resources, equipment and budget. With EFI™ Fiery® XF proServer, a high-performance turnkey RIP solution, you can accomplish all three goals by maximising your EFI VUTEk® GS or QS printer’s productivity and reliability, while producing consistent and accurate colour. This scalable solution comes with integrated options, works with third-party software and integrates other EFI products from creation to print. Plus, this complete solution comes with complementary technical support and a service option, to meet your growing needs through one company.

This complete offering:

- Optimises throughput and minimises processing times, so you can reduce your printer’s idle time.

- Lowers your overhead costs by using your existing equipment, resources and budget more effective.

- Is installed and configured with your VUTEk printer to ensure the solution works seamlessly.

- Includes a complementary 13-month hardware and software warranty.

- Integrates with other EFI Solutions through JDF technology.

- Extends your VUTEk printer’s capabilities even more with optional Fiery XF Services in North America, Benelux, United Kingdom and Germany now and in the rest of Europe soon. Read More about the Fiery XF proServer.

New EFI Fiery XF Support Services Increase your Return on Investment

The new Fiery® XF Colour & Workflow Support Services are another way to increase your return on investment on the Fiery XF production RIPs for your EFI VUTEk® printers. The fast, high-performance Fiery XF RIP boosts colour quality and productivity, so businesses can do more work and deliver vibrant colour every time. Under this program, a Fiery expert comes onsite to execute money and time saving installation and implementation services that help customers quickly produce quality prints, while reducing downtime and waste.

The Fiery XF Colour & Workflow Support Services cover three-day, on-site training that includes: 

- Pre-implementation site survey and workflow assessment. 

- Product training. 

- Workflow optimisation. 

- Colour management. 

- Complete implementation report. 

- Health check-up via phone one month after service. 

- Travel and expenses for Fiery expert. 

- Twelve-month XFPlus Maintenance and Support Plan.

“No one knows Fiery XF software better than Fiery experts. As a result, we can deliver faster deployment times and develop the most reliable, high-performance solution that stretches clients’ budgets and resources further,” said Waiman Cho, director of Customer Advocacy at EFI.

The service costs 5,995 € or 5,195£. To read more about the plan visit http://w3.efi.com/Vutek/Support/Fiery-XF-Support-Services. To purchase it, interested parties should contact an EFI sales representative today nearest them or send an e-mail to fieryxfonsiteservices@efi.com.

EFI Fiery XF XFPlus Plan Gives Customers Greater Competitive Edge

Get an edge over their competition using your Fiery XF RIP to boost your productivity and colour quality for your EFI VUTEk® printers. The plan allows you to receive target response times, target resolution times, and free upgrades of your Fiery XF production RIP during the twelve-month plan period.

Overview of response times of the EFI Fiery XF XFPlus Plan

Priority:    Target Response:        Target Resolution:
1              Four business hrs        Three business days
2              Four business hrs        Five business days
3              Eight business hrs       10 business days or next software release

Why Sign up for the Plan?

The XFPlus Plan comes with many benefits that help customers increase your profits, while lowering your overhead costs. It helps them:

- Achieve higher productivity.

- Save precious time by downloading upgrades and new features online.

- Get fast support easily by contacting EFI directly via phone or e-mail for questions and suggestions on Fiery XF RIP.

- Work more efficiently and save time by using our remote support tools powered by WebEx. With these tools, our seasoned professionals can login onto the client’s Fiery XF RIP to help find answers to their questions quickly and to provide tips on how to best use the product.

“In today’s competitive business landscape, maximising products and personnel are critical to any client’s business success. With the EFI Fiery XF XFPlus Plan, our customers can be sure that their systems stay fast and running reliably to meet their deadlines. They also can produce more work, and can make sure that their staffs know how to use Fiery XF to its full potential” said Waiman Cho, director of Customer Advocacy at EFI.

The service costs 2000€ or 1,500£ To read more about the plan, visit http://w3.efi.com/Vutek/Support/XFPlus-Maintenance-and-Support. To purchase it, interested parties should contact an EFI sales representative today nearest them or send an e-mail to fieryxfonsiteservices@efi.com.

 

^{*Special Notes on Fiery XF Colour & Workflow Support Services Pricing}

^{1. To get the 5,995 € or 5,195£ pricing, customers’ VUTEk printers need to be under its original 13-month manufacturer’s warranty.}

^{2. If the customer’s VUTEk printer is out of warranty, there is a back maintenance fee of 400€ or 300£.}

^{3. XFPlus Maintenance and Support Plan benefits apply to a single Fiery XF license.}

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Printer’s Passion

Turning a Sad Occasion into a Celebration of Life

Already successfully running a retail sporting-goods company in Maasbracht, NL, Jeroen Cremers happened upon an unusual opportunity. With the idea in mind that he would like to put his business prowess to work in a new venture, he learned about LifeArt, an Australian company that specialises in making personalised coffins out of Enviroboard, an environmentally friendly material that performs especially well under the extreme heat of cremation.

The LifeArt concept is simple. The company offers various sized templates from which you can build a beautifully designed, personalised coffin that celebrates the deceased’s life. The images are printed directly on the material, cut lines and score lines are programmed in so the Enviroboard goes directly from the printer to the cutting board. The complete process to finish a coffin takes about one hour.

 

Caring for the environment
The beauty of focusing on life rather than death was the first thing that attracted Cremers to LifeArt. The second was the benefit to the environment. Enviroboard, tagged “clean coffin technology”, is a wood fibreboard that completely burns leaving no residue in the cremation chamber and sending no toxic fumes into the environment. It is also biodegradable should a family prefer burial.

His passion for the environment is also the reason he loves his EFI VUTEk QS220 printer. “We can print directly on the board. This very important,” he says, “because if you use an adhesive backed material it will produce dangerous fumes when heated at high temperatures. Plus, it would take much longer to produce a coffin”.

Using the right technology
According to Cremers, none of this would be possible without the right technology. The VUTEk QS220 is extremely reliable; it is fast, yet prints with photographic quality. “I chose this printer because it was the printer of choice for LifeArt Australia. They tested a variety of technologies and found this to deliver the best overall performance for our needs. Why would I question a proven formula”?

The same is true of the Esko Kongsberg XP24 cutting unit. “The laser cutter gives us precise edges that line up perfectly. We wouldn’t be able to produce LifeArt coffins so fast without these two technologies. There are absolutely no hiccups. Plus we get excellent service from both companies”.

Cremers also appreciates EFI’s UV inks. In addition to being environmental sound, he has found that when he adds a 5% yellow in the non-imaged areas, all the way to the end of the material, it makes the Enviroboard completely waterproof—essential in rainy climates.

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High levels of interest at ITMA confirm EFI’s direction with VUTEk TX3250r

EFI and Klieverik demonstrate ease of workflow

       

As the largest textile machinery exhibition in the world, ITMA this year saw a significant increase in digital ink-jet technology familiar across other graphic arts and display sectors. Not surprisingly, with EFI’s expertise in wide-format solutions extending to fabric printers, the company chose to show its VUTEk TX3250r direct and two-step dye sublimation printer at the event, with very positive results.

Traditionally attracting buyers from all areas of the textile industry, the event proved to be the perfect platform for EFI, with visitors flocking to see its latest fabric printer put through its paces. The machine created high levels of interest from market sectors, with many learning for the first time about the potential for mixing their existing, traditional printing operations with the versatility of producing durable and high-quality output from a wide-format ink-jet platform.

AT ITMA, EFI teamed up with Klieverik whose calenders were used to demonstrate the ease of workflow and excellent results, which can be produced with the VUTEk TX3250r. The fast and efficient throughput showed a range of polyester-based textiles being printed and finished in a straightforward process.

“This was our first experience of exhibiting at ITMA and, judging from the numbers of visitors who showed interest in the VUTEk TX3250r, it was a very worthwhile experience for EFI,” states Emmanuel Swolfs, International Field Marketing Manager for VUTEk. “The growing interest in digital textiles has been confirmed by the wide variety of specialist companies who visited us at the show and were eager to watch the printer and calender in action. This response has endorsed our commitment to the fabric sector and to users who want a high-quality, industrial-strength printer for producing dye-sublimation applications.”

ITMA 2011 took place from 22 to 29 September 2011 at the Gran Via in Barcelona.

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Successful Double Sided Printing

The Double Sided Printing (DSP) feature of EFI VUTEk GS Series roll-to-roll UV inkjet printers automates the production of double-sided banners and day/night backlit displays. With the unique, user-defined software available right at the printer’s user interface, the DSP function provides everything you need for simple and accurate registration of images on both sides without any additional pre-press work. Following is a brief tutorial on how to successfully use the DSP feature.

Banner and Backlit Modes

The DSP function has two available print modes for the production of double-sided banners and backlit displays (see Figure 1). The banner mode prints the image in the same orientation on both sides, so the banner can be viewed from both sides. The backlit mode prints the image on the front side and a mirror image on the second side, giving day/night backlit displays a color boost and greater opacity.

Getting Started

To get started, RIP the images to the desired format. For banner print jobs, you would typically use identical images and color settings on the front and back. However, the GUI will accept two different images. Backlit print jobs, on the other hand, use an image for the front and a mirror image on the back that is less dense, for example.

Then, load and tension the media on the printer. To ensure accurate registration, the DSP function uses an edge tracking mode to track media drifting on a single roll up to three meters wide. During printing, the media edge detector scans the media and adjusts the printer settings to compensate for media drifting, maintaining image alignment throughout the printing process.

Creating the DSP Job

In the printer user interface, right-click the image to open the Options menu to add a double sided job. From the Double Sided Print dialog box, you will add the first file as the Front side, and, by clicking the Back button, add the back image. You can either select the same ripped or RTL image that was used on the front side or a different image.

You then select either Banner or Backlit from the Type dialog box and click OK. From the Double Sided Print dialog box, you simply hit the Create button to name the DSP job and send it to the print queue.

Printing the Front Side

First, set all of your print options. For backlit print jobs, select Tick Marks, a set of short bars printed next to the image for alignment (see Figure 2). Banner print jobs require a printed alignment bar, a single straight line printed in between the images, across the entire width of the media to align images (see Figure 2). The Alignment check box is checked by default and the Tick Marks box is cleared. The alignment bar will print in between each of the front side images.

Select your additional Print Options (Copies, Mode, Smoothing, etc.) next. Then, you are ready to start printing.

Printing the Back Side

Unload the media roll from the printer rewinder and, maintaining the same roll orientation, load the media on the rear side of the printer.

Your GS printer is equipped with a tick mark sensor (see Figure 3) that must be set in the proper location to find the tick marks or alignment bar printed on the front side. Manually move the tick mark sensor over the media. When the sensor finds the tick marks or alignment bar, the left-most orange LED sensor with light up.

To set the print options for the second side, right click the image in the Print Queue and click on the Back radio button in the DSP Options menu. This alerts the DSP software to print the second side image.

If you want to change any of the print options (Mode, Smoothing, etc.) for the second image, you would do so now.

When printing the second side, you will notice the media reverses to align the printed alignment bar or tick marks behind the tick mark sensor. The media, then, slowly steps forward until the sensor detects the alignment bar or tick marks. If it cannot find them, an error with appear in the printer’s user interface. The media reverses again and slowly moves forward until the alignment bar or tick marks are positioned over the sensor. The media steps forward to a position where the edge of the front side print is under the print position of the carriage. The system prints the second side image and returns to home position when complete.

There are five LED bars situated across the media path on the front of the printer that assist in aligning media via the alignment bar. Proofing light assists in alignment by illuminating the image from below.

1- LED light bar

2- Web media

3- Notch in LED bar

4- Alignment bar illuminated by LED light bars

 

Figure 1: Available print modes: Banner, Vertical Banner and Backlit.

 

Figure 2: Alignment bars, left, and tick marks, right, are indicated by arrows.

 

Figure 3: Tick mark sensor with LED lights identify tick marks and alignment bars.

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EFI Expands its Commitment to the Wide-Format Space

At EFI™, we strive to give our customers the best products, solutions, services and support in the markets we serve. That's why we've integrated Rastek™ and VUTEk® solutions, to ensure you know the Rastek products come with the same high-quality and performance standards that you have come to expect from EFI VUTEk printers.

This integration gives you several key benefits, including:

o An Inkjet Product Launch Program, which guarantees that all Rastek products meet a standardised set of launch criteria before they go to market.

o Inkjet Quality Assurance Programs, which ensure that all Rastek products meet a standardised set of quality criteria before going to market.

o Inkjet Service, Training and Support Certification Programmes that are similar to VUTEk's to ensure your customers get the same high return on investment on all Rastek solutions.

Intentieverklaring executive – Scott Schinlever

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Fiery XF Makes Workflow Bidirectional

Download your EFI Fiery XF 4.5.2 update now!

What’s new?

• Innovative bidirectional communication between EFI™ Fiery™ XF and the EFI VUTEk® GS printer series

o Automatic transmission of jobs into the VUTEk Print Station queue - no more manual loading of RTL files

o Bidirectional job status synchronization

o Monitoring of ink and media consumption

o Printer parameter setup (resolution, print mode, smoothing, curing and much more) in EFI XF "Special" tab

• New printer driver support

o EFI VUTEk GS3250LX

o EFI VUTEk GS3250r

o EFI VUTEk TX3250r

o Canon iPF6000S/ iPF8000S/iPF9000S RGB Contone

o Epson Stylus Photo R3000 RGB Contone

o Roland VersaUV LEJ-640

• New measurement device support

o Barbieri Spectro LFP TEX

• Functional enhancements

o Adobe PDF Print Engine updated to version 2.5

o Massive improvements for layered printing with Roland DG printers

o Updated Advanced VUTEk linearisation

• Various bug fixes in Client and Server

EFI XF 4.5.2 (Print Pack 2) is a free-of-charge update for users of EFI XF 4.5 / 4.5.1. Download now via the EFI XF Control.

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How to Boost Profits

Experience the Digital Workflow

There are two ways to grow profits: sell more jobs or find ways to retain more money from the jobs you’ve already sold.

Integrated acquisition, management and production workflow can reduce touch points, improve communication, eliminate waste, and speed production. A glance at the Digital Workflow Experience (below) illustrates how a streamlined workflow can improve your bottom line.

Start with the creation of a specification in Digital StoreFront®; EFI’s advanced Web-to-Print solution. Digital StoreFront gives your customers a virtual front door to your business with the ability to specify, review, submit and track orders on-line. The key to Digital StoreFront is that it is a “smart” Web-to-print solution, capable of automating the submission of a job, moving it into your business and into production without the delays, touches and rekeying other submission processes require.

 

The next step is automatic. EFI Print MIS/ERP will create the job file, develop the job plan, dynamically build a schedule and dispatch the job – with its files – to EFI Fiery® servers or controllers for digital page production or EFI Fiery XF, a production RIP, for superwide and wide-format production.

For page production, the Fiery station RIPs the file and delivers it to the production engine. For wide-format production, the Fiery XF station RIPs the file and delivers it to a VUTEk® or Rastek™ printer.

The beauty of the digital workflow is that once a job is generated in Digital StoreFront, it can move throughout the workflow with virtually no additional keystrokes. And, as work is completed, the management, costing, and invoicing files are updated automatically with information from the shop floor—all with no additional keystrokes.

The Digital Workflow Experience demonstrates how an integrated, intelligent solution can eliminate multiple touch points on a repeatable basis, reducing costs and improving accuracy.

Your customers will appreciate the smart workflow and reward you with loyalty and additional business. And your ability to produce more work more efficiently in a collaborative setting will attract new customers.

EFI also offers industry-focused workstation groupings designed to demonstrate the potential of an integrated, intelligent workflow for your specific business. These groupings include: Commercial Printing; Publishing/Mailing; On-Demand; In-Plant/Commercial Reprographic Departments, and Labels and Packaging.

Contact your local EFI rep for an analysis of how a digital workflow can improve your bottom line.

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