Oct. 17, 2005—The art and industry of wide-format printing has changed in the past five years and at the rate it is continuing to advance, the odds are good that the marketplace will look completely different in five more years. Evolving technology and innovative projects are shaping a world full of large, colorful graphics in a variety of locations that were unheard of just a short time ago.

One of the technologies promoting this change is Durst Phototechnik AG’s Quadro Array print head. The new inkjet heads allow for crisp, clean graphics, and very fine detail, which opens up a variety of applications for larger-format than the standard billboards to be viewed from afar. It achieves print speeds up to 1,600 sq. ft. per hour at up to 600-dpi; an array is made up of four nozzle plates with a total of 512 nozzles—nearly twice that of standard configurations. Each array prints from 400 to 600 dpi, applying variable drop sizes—between 40 and 55 picolitres—depending on the user-selected setting.

“We recently printed and installed, for a major record company, graphics of various recording artists onto the entire wall in its Toronto head offices,” said Tony Johnson, co-owner of Photo Imaging Techniques Inc., based in Ontario, Canada. “Sourcing the files with the assistance of various photographers and record company staff members was a challenge, and then getting items approved by all was an extremely important part of the process. As with any wallpaper, you have to live with it on a daily basis,” he added.

Mr. Johnson’s company, which started as a photographic lab in 1993, is using the new Durst Rho 600 large-format flatbed UV inkjet printer, one of the first machines with the new Quadro Array technology. In addition, the company has a Durst Lambda; Rho 160 Plus; a finishing facility with a variety of equipment; and two iCut systems, which are digital die-cutting machines. The firm is building a business based on bringing as much work in house as possible.

“[We outsource] less and less as time goes forward,” noted Mr. Johnson. “With the introduction of the Rho 600, the items that we used to send out for silk screening, due to the quantities, can now be brought back in house.”

Style and Color
Print technology and innovation isn’t just staying on one side of the ocean or in one area of the world either. Geneva-based graphics specialist, Mathys S.A., used a Vutek three-meter UltraVu II 3360 printer to produce photographic-quality vehicle graphics for the high-profile international fashion label, Hennes & Mauritz (H & M). Installed on five trams measuring 40 meters long each, Mathys S.A. is now using the H & M job as a case study to attract additional business for its new three-meter capability.

A total of 56 printed panels, featuring beach and summer retail images, were adhered to the tram’s eight carriages (see cover). Once installed, the panels formed eight different images, designed to promote H & M’s summer swimwear collection. In addition, Mathys S.A. has produced work for firms such as Breitling, Chrysler, HP, Honda, Nestlé, and Rolex.

“We are one of the only printers in Switzerland to offer three-meter printing, so [clients] talk to us when they need high-quality graphics on a grand scale,” said Richard Mathys, director of the visual department. “But it is the print quality from our UltraVu II 3360 that ensures repeat business and sets us apart from the competition.”

Another Vutek user, ARTFIX of Sao Paulo, Brazil, used the company’s UltraVu 3360FC and UltraVu 2360FC printers to produce more than 18,000 square meters of graphics to wrap 1,200 vehicles for the Brazilian beverage giant, AmBev. With strict AmBev corporate identity guidelines to follow, ARTFIX produced graphics that matched the company’s corporate colors and were consistent from section to section. It was equally important that the vehicle wraps withstand a wide range of weather conditions, especially high temperatures and humidity. The graphics were printed directly onto adhesive vinyl to produce more than 15 square meters for each vehicle wrap.

Roberto Valentim, commercial director, ARTFIX, commented, “AmBev approached us because of our vast experience with vehicle wrap technologies and the quality of output provided by our Vutek printers. We have a designated area in our plant for the installation of vehicle wraps, and have specially developed vinyl substrates that feed both quickly and easily into our printers. As a result, we are able to produce consistently stunning, high-resolution graphics that are colorful, vibrant, and create a lasting impression.”

Since it was established in 1992, ARTFIX has been considered one of Brazil’s leading large-format printers. Employing more than 200 people, screen printing still remains the company’s main business focus, but its printing capability attracts customers from around the world.

Global Demand
Hong Kong-based Standard Chan has been creating award-winning advertising and display print for three decades now with a blend of innovation and traditional craftsmanship.

Production Manager Tony Chan said, “Over the last few years, we have not only seen a considerable upturn in demand for large-format work, but the digital side of our business is now on par with our traditional screen printing production.” He attributes the demand for digital to the fact that continued advancements in the technology are eating into the screen printing market at both ends. The mainstay of Standard Chan’s business is in wide-format billboards and what Mr. Chan describes as transit media, such as the “I’m lovin’ it” McDonald’s ad, being used on more than 40 buses in Hong Kong central.

Another huge success for digital technology came last year, when Hungary joined the European Union. Two huge banners were stretched across the Elizabeth Bridge over the Danube River, celebrating the return of the country to Western Europe (see page 4). A little of the glory rubbed off on OSG Hungary Ltd., the firm that produced the banner on a Scitex Vision XLjet 5+. “If it is big and outside, we are printing it,” said Balazs Végh, chief technical officer of OSG Hungary Ltd. He is responsible for equipment and production in this modern company. OSG Hungary recently outgrew its former location and moved to a larger facility on the outskirts of Budapest.

OSG Hungary, of which the Italian packaging group GPP is the majority shareholder, is part of a group of companies, employing roughly 40 people. A little more than half work on the digital printing side. In early 2000, OSG Hungary entered the digital printing market and now the company owns two Scitex Vision TURBOjets and an XLjet 5+. It also has in-house prepress and finishing departments.

“Selling advertising on these huge, temporary billboard sites makes sense,” said Csaba Mile, managing director. “Advertisers get a truly eye-catching display, which is seen by thousands of people every day, and the building’s owner gets additional income to help with the renovation. For getting attention in a new market, T-Mobile, Heineken, Siemens, and Samsung could not have made a better choice.”

Digital printing is bringing color and life to places that just a few short years ago would have been off-limits to printers. With the pace that technology and the industry are growing at, and the creativity and talent across the world driving it, large-format graphics have a bright future, indeed.