Computer Controlled Cutter

Large format digital printing goes form strength to strength. Full colour marketing and advertising literature can be produced faster and cheaper than ever before. There is a steady stream of new large format digital display printer being launched (sometimes referred to as grand format)

The increase in speed means bottle necks in sign makers and print shops is moving. At http://www.digital-display-printing.co.ukwe experienced a bottle next in artwork preparation and design. Investment in faster MAC equipment helped but ultimately the only solution is bums on seats.

Once that problem was solved there were potentially 3 other bottle necks in the large format printing department. Capacity of large format digital printers, Laminating printed graphics such as exhibition graphics, trade show panels and posters and finally finishing.

Large format printing capacity. Two options available run shifts (if you can find the staff!) Buy more machines, invest in faster machines. We choose the latter option because staff like a life, we are short on space and the new large format digital printing machines from HP not only offer much faster digital print speeds but also offer better print quality lower running costs and pigment based archival inks. The new inks and a wide range of new media means that large format printers can look at opening up new markets. Fine art, Canvas printing, UV stable window graphics, advertising banners, indoor posters, backlight graphics……..

With new designers and the latest HP large format graphics printers the bottle neck shifted to laminating. While there was less requirement to laminate and encapsulate graphics because of the more durable pigment inks the new HP printers offer an additional 50% print capacity. This one is easily solved with a new seal wide format laminator. A reliable industrial strength tool ideal for finishing off banner stand graphics, pop up exhibition graphics, trade show boards, point of purchase displays.

Now the bottle neck becomes finishing. One of the downsides to roll to roll large format printing is the need to trim the print to size once they are finished. Unlike screen printing where you are often printing finished panel size or have a lay up mark making guillotine cutting an option traditionally finishing large format digital print has been by hand. As large format printers get faster it becomes much harder to keep up with the output.

Our solution was to invest in a Zund flat bed automatic camera controlled cutter. The zund large format graphics cutter uses an automatic vision registration compensation system which means pre-printed graphics such as vinyl sign banners, custom printed posters, stickers, and decals can be square cut contour cut or kiss cut with amazing precision.

The cutter is capable of contour cutting everything from paper posters and flexible pvc banners to rigid display panels up to 5mm thick. The extra router attachment makes easy work of 10mm foamex display boards. It has a massive 3m x 1.8m cutting bed plenty big enough to accommodate large retail displays and trade show boards.

From the sign makers or large format printers point of view it saves time, waste and offer better accuracy than even the most experienced person time and time again. The client gets improved quality, faster delivery and potentially lower cost for all types of large format print that requires finishing.

Graphics finishing is only one of many industries that the large format cutter is suitable for. I’m sure as the months go by we will find many new uses that can lead to new innovate display products so watch this space.

10 reasons to exhibit at a trade show

Why exhibit?
There are many reasons to exhibit but it is essential to focus on your own particular situation. Some to consider may include the following:-

1. Generating sales leads Sale of products from your stand
2. Increase brand awareness in the marketplace.
3. Reach a specific targeted audience.
4. Meet your customers, competitors and suppliers.
5. Launch new products and services.
6. Live product demonstrations.
7. Recruiting distributors or dealers.
8. Educating your target audience
9. Prospecting for new business.
10. Support your other marketing efforts.

more helpfull hints and tips at www.discountdisplays.co.uk