PRINTACTION
Cheers Redcliff
Warwick Printing takes on the challenge of creating a store-length mural P.4
WIDE FORMAT RESOURCE GUIDE DIGITAL
PLUS Westkey adopts new workflow solutions P.6
Meet the new owners of Etendard P.9
Highlighting new products from Roland, Epson and Agfa P.14
PRINTACTION
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4
Warwick installs a tricky mural
Warwick Printing successfully printed and installed a wall mural for a liquor store in Redcliff, Alta., in a single day
6
Automating workflow
Westkey Graphics transforms business with MIS/ERP solutions
9
Meet the new owners of Etendard
Quebec-based Etendard was recently acquired by three entrepreneurs. We spoke to one of the owners about his plans for the print shop
12
Factors shaping the industry
Guayente Sanmartin, general manager at HP, shares with us some of the trends she’s tracking in the wide-format sector, and why
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14 Showcasing latest offerings from Roland DGA, Mutoh, Agfa, Epson, Canon, Mimaki, SwissQprint, Neenah and Sydney Stone
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Warwick prints a store-length ‘cheer’
By PrintAction Staff
Warwick Printing of Lethbridge, Alta., used Drytac ReTac to complete a wall mural project for South Country Co-op Liquor in Redcliff, Alta.
The client required Warwick Printing to design, print and install 48 individual wall panels to create a mural spanning the entire store, but Warwick had to work around shelves of fragile stock while doing so.
The mural was designed to promote the spirits, beer and wine that were on sale. It also included a ‘Cheers Redcliff’ message. The installation took approximately 11 hours, including the set-up and tear-down of scaffolding, as the team had to work around the bottles that were on display.
“The main challenge was figuring out how to
reach the 17-ft install height with racks up against every wall without having to empty the whole store,” said Lee Weighill, owner of Warwick Printing. “There was not enough space for even the smallest scissor lift or boom lift, and regular A-frame ladders would not get us close enough to the walls in the right position. We ended up using painters’ scaffolding, and had to stack two units to get high enough, but it was still a 26-in reach to the wall, which made it a little more difficult.”
However, the project was ultimately successful. “It was a good day’s work and not one bottle was knocked to the floor,” Weighill added.
The team ran over 260 ft of Drytac ReTac Smooth 150 through its HP Latex 360 printer to create the murals. The 150 μ white polymeric printable PVC film is coated with ReTac ultra-
removable adhesive technology on one side, which allows easy installation, repositioning and removal of printed graphics from surfaces.
Over the last two years,Warwick Printing has evolved from mainly offset press commercial printing to more digital wide-format work, which has helped the company reach new customers and stay successful amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The shop has pivoted to using Drytac FloorTac in its HP Latex printer to create COVID-related floor graphics and provide marketing materials for re-opening businesses.
“We have fared pretty well so far during COVID-19,” said Weighill. “Overall business was down significantly, as much as 65 per cent in the beginning, but we have seen some major gains in our wide-format and signage division
during the same period. I estimate we have done more volume during the pandemic than we did in the previous year-and-a-half.”
Warwick Printing used Drytac ReTac to create a mural spanning the entire South Country Co-op Liquor store in Redcliff, Alta.
One-stop shop integration
Westkey Graphics transforms business with MIS/ERP solutions
By PrintAction Staff
Westkey Graphics is a full-service, one-stop printing company offering commercial, labels, packaging, wide-format, business forms, new media, mailing, and warehousing and distribution services.
With roots that go back to the 1930s,Westkey is one of the largest printing and graphics firms on Canada’s West Coast. Headquartered in Greater Vancouver,Westkey has manufacturing
facilities in Greater Vancouver, Kelowna and Edmonton, and six sales offices in British Columbia and Alberta.
Business transformations can be tricky. Company leaders have to perform the balancing act of shedding business models and markets that are no longer viable while transitioning to new and, often, unfamiliar services. It’s a process that requires vision, discipline, business acumen and usually the right digital infrastructure to drive new, complex, and more
tightly integrated business operations.
Westkey Graphics has successfully navigated that transition. It has moved from a business forms printer to its current incarnation as a full-service shop. EFI workflow solutions have played a key role as the company transitioned through the process.
“Business forms began to decline around the turn of the current century, so we had to go down the path of diversification before many others in the industry,” says Gregory Don, vice-
Westkey Graphics is a full-service, one-stop printing company offering commercial, labels, packaging, wide-format and warehousing and distribution services.
president of finance, Westkey Graphics.
Over several years, through organic expansion and several strategic acquisitions, Westkey added commercial print operations, wide-format services, a digital division, labels and packaging offerings, and full e-commerce capabilities while maintaining its original business forms, mailing and warehousing functions. During the last four years the company also expanded into new media services with a sister company called Thinkingbox Media and De-
sign, which provides augmented reality, NFC, 3D animation and app development and other platform executions.
As its services multiplied, Westkey needed to address productivity and efficiency needs, as well as the challenge information silos posed.
Automating functions
The company’s use of an MIS software over the past decade attuned the Westkey Graphics team to the advantages of a print-specific MIS plat-
form. They began to digitize some of the functions that they had been doing manually, such as purchase orders, time sheets, and estimating. This saved them a lot time.
Recently, Westkey invested in an integrated, automated ERP program that delivers a full range of functions for print operations. Westkey’s complete implementation includes components for estimating, customer relationship management (CRM), order management, business intelligence (BI) dashboards and re-
porting, analysis, purchasing, receivables, shipping, costing and financials.This investment has allowed Wetkey Graphics to integrate its diverse operational divisions, all of its e-commerce services as well as support operations, from estimating to accounting.
The new workflow solutions are also helping Westkey address the challenge of information silos. As Westkey Graphics expanded, divisions continued to operate somewhat independently, creating silos of information that were not al-
Westkey digitized some of its functions, such as purchase orders, time sheets and estimating to save time. These new workflow solutions have helped to breakdown the information silos at Westkey.
ways shared with other departments.
“It gives our experts an opportunity to have their say in how to build standards and processes, so non-experts can use the programs to come up with estimates, for example, without having to know all the nitty gritty of the operation because they are built into the program,” says Don. “It allows the experts to let go a little bit. It helps to break down those silos as well as to provide greater accessibility and transparency.”
The new owners’ plans for Etendard
By Nithya Caleb
Quebec-based Etendard specializes in large-scale printing. Established in 1995, Etendard owns a 100-ft wide printing press. The company is able to handle textile sublimation projects on nylon and polyester.
A small, but niche player in the flag printing market, Etendard’s main clients are government and defence organizations, cities and municipalities, unions and sports associations. Etendard produces the flag that flies on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Every year, 274 flags of 7.5 x 15 ft are created and delivered to Parliament so that a new one can be raised every day (the withdrawn flag is actually sent to a citizen; the
waiting list for this is now over 40 years). These flags are assembled and sewn by hand by Etendard employees.
The 25-employee company was recently acquired by three entrepreneurs—Rémy Vézina, president of 2nd Skin, Mario Trahan, a chartered professional accountant, and Patrick Coutu, an engineer. I caught up with Vézina to discuss the new ownership’s plans for Etendard.
What motivated you to buy Etendard?
RV:The initial goal was to obtain a 360-degree services offer with all textile printing services for 2nd Skin customers. The wide-format textile printing techniques developed by Etendard, notably on nylon and polyester, offer great possibilities for the development of promotional products.
What are your plans for the company?
RV: We are still defining our strategic plan, as we already have a large part of the official Canadian flag market. We wish to develop the promotional and the event markets with popup tents, beach flags and exhibition kiosks. We also plan to develop several other complementary products as well as intend to enter the U.S.
Patrick Coutu, Mario Trahan and Rémy Vézina.
market in the medium term.
What prompted you to buy a print company now?
RV: With a mainly institutional clientele for flags, L’Etendard did not experience any great difficulty during the pandemic. Certainly, the small portion of customers who went to events were not available, but an official flag flies in
Every year, Etendard is commissioned to produce the Canadian flag that flies on Parliament Hill, Ottawa.
Etendard has a 100-ft wide printing press for textile sublimation projects.
the wind and may need to be replaced whether there is a virus or not. Various levels of governments have placed regular orders, which has kept production at 100 per cent. With the synergy and economic recovery that we will experience in a few months, we expect good sales growth.
What kind of technology and machinery are used at Etendard?
RV: Etendard has a Zimmer press imported from Austria. The 100-ft long flatbed equipment can print six colours. We print with a metal rode and a magnetic implusion system that impregnates the dyes in the fabric. This equipment is unique in Canada, it of-
fers exceptional quality, allows an excellent cost of returns and a good speed of execution for large runs. We also have three Dupont units with 16 print heads; two of them have been modified to direct print on nylon and one is mounted for direct print on polyester and satin. We also have an Epson and a Roland to perform sublimation. In addition to 20 sewing machines, we have several specialized equipment for textile finishing, particularly, a Salvade Spa (steam drying chamber) from Italia.
What is the most exciting aspect of this acquisition?
RV: What I like the most about this transaction is the new association with Mario and Patrick.
We really form a nice trio with each of our expertise. Mario is an accountant with a lot of experience. He will keep the company’s finances healthy.
Patrick has worked with many companies on manufacturing optimization. He will know how to bring good practices needed to improve production processes.
Since I know textile screen printing techniques as well as the market due to my company 2nd Skin [2nd Skin is also a Quebecbased company that specializes in printing promotional material], I will be focusing on sales development. With the 25 employees of Etendard and the 45 of 2nd Skin, we want to position ourselves as a leader in Canada.
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Factors shaping the industry
By
HP
According to Guayente Sanmartin, general manager of HP’s large-format business, “In the past year, print service providers (PSPs) have become even more resilient and innovative in dealing with fast changing customer needs. These demands have seen the acceleration of the three main trends of versatility, connectivity and sustainability, which will continue to shape the large-format print industry in the coming years.”
Versatility
Sanmartin believes versatility will continue to
be paramount for PSPs, as the ability to say yes to faster turnaround times and deliver shorter runs will open up new revenue streams.
“We saw requests for printed communications, such as social distancing floor signs, or requests for PPE, flood into PSPs almost overnight at the start of the pandemic. As we rebuild from the global crisis, we expect the print sector will have to continue displaying similar levels of versatility and speed,” she said.
Connectivity
According to Sanmartin, greater tech connectivity continues to change the way print service
providers operate.
“Recent innovations in product offerings, such as HP PrintOS, lets users manage their print system from anywhere, at any time, accelerating workflows and making collaboration easier than ever,” she said.
This allows PSPs to be more agile while operating, configuring and maintaining devices, including doing so remotely. Additionally, PSPs are now able to predict, monitor and manage issues
Versatility, connectivity and sustainability will determine the future of the large-format industry.
more effectively, contributing to an increase in their uptime and profitability.
Sustainability
Being sustainable is not only the right thing to do, but also the right business decision.
“Through eco-friendly innovations, PSPs are able to sharpen their sustainability edge. As end-customers demand greater responsibility in this regard, PSPs displaying sustainable impact will win market share,” she said.
Guayente Sanmartin
Detailing new offerings from Roland DGA,
Mutoh, Agfa, Epson, Canon, Mimaki, Sydney Stone, SwissQprint and Neenah
The TrueVis VF2-640 is a 64-inch eco-solvent wide-format printer.
Roland DGA TrueVIS VF2-640
Roland DGA Corporation has introduced the TrueVIS VF2-640, a 64-in., eco-solvent wide-format printer designed to provide unparalleled colour gamut expansion and print quality. The VF2-640 offers advanced colour control and vibrancy, making it easy to produce colour-accurate signs, vehicle graphics, labels, decals and heat transfer apparel.
Roland DG’s first “print-only” model within its TrueVIS series, the VF2-640 includes a number of features from the TrueVIS VG2 series of
printer/cutters, and can also produce previously unattainable colours.With VF2 comes a new TR2 green ink which, when combined with TR2 orange ink in process colours, allows for a significantly wider colour gamut. This specially formulated TR2 green ink is available for use with the TrueVIS VG2 series.
The VF2-640 features a new True Rich Color 2 Preset, which allows users to combine vibrant colours with neutral greys, smooth gradations and natural skin tones to produce vivid, photorealistic output. The expansion of green colours in True Rich Color 2
provides additional process colours, while a Green Roland DG Color System Library with 142 spot colours allows for enhanced colour matching and reproduction.
The VF2 incorporates four FlexFire print heads, which provide colour vibrancy and detail, even in high-speed modes. It also includes a new, even more stable TU4 media take-up with two modes for versatility, a newly designed pinch roller system for simple media loading and improved tracking accuracy, and smart new media clamps that increase ease of use and streamline workflow. The VF2 is also equipped with Roland DG Mobile 2, a feature that allows test printing, cleaning and troubleshooting from either a tablet or smartphone.
Mutoh launches XpertJet 1682WR
Mutoh America has launched a 64in. dye sublimation printer, the XpertJet 1682WR. When paired with Mutoh’s new DH21 dye sublimation ink, the printer provides usability and reduces operational workload, which will ensure high-quality prints, high production output as well as userfriendly operation.
The printer features standard
Mutoh’s XpertJet 1682WR is a new 64-in. dye sublimation printer that pairs well with the company’s DH21 dye sublimation ink.
staggered dual head design to provide high quality and print speeds. It is available in four-colour (CMYK) and seven-colour (CMYK, Lc,Lm,Lk) configurations for DH21.
The XpertJet platform includes all new features designed to enhance the user experience, workflow and output quality, including new features to improve transport and printing of thinner papers. The XpertJet was designed to output various types of dye sublimation, including textile, hard surfaces, personalized products, signage and more.
Agfa InterioJet
Agfa’s InterioJet 3300 is a multi-pass, water-based inkjet system for printing on decor paper used for interior decoration, such as laminate floors and furniture. The InterioJet is built
on the same inkjet printing platform as the Agfa Jeti Tauro LED UV printing press.
“The InterioJet 3300 will accelerate the transformation from analog (gravure) to digital printing in the laminated surface market,” said Tom Cloots, director, Industrial Inkjet at Agfa. “It is the ideal cost-efficient solution for medium and short production runs. “Its limited start-up time and high flexibility will enable suppliers of laminated surfaces to gain new business by responding to evolving market demands, including printing on demand and just-in-time delivery. The system allows interior decoration designers to let their creativity run free and create customized designs for every order.”
The system can print on two rolls at a time, each with a width of up to
Agfa’s InterioJet 3300 is a multi-pass, water-based inkjet system.
155 cm and a weight of up to 600 kg, at speeds of up to 340 m2 per hour. The printer provides superior contrast, sharpness and colour saturation, matching typical decorative industry colour profiles. The printer features Agfa’s signature ‘Thin Ink Layer’ technology to provide low ink consumption, reducing production costs and footprint.
The InterioJet features Agfa’s Asanti workflow software, which allows for the controlling, simplifying and automating of the entire printing process, from prepress to finishing. It is also fully compatible with the latest AVA CAD CAM products.
Epson SureColor
Epson has expanded its presence in the signage market with the introduction of the SureColor R5070 and SureColor R5070L, 64-in., roll-to-
hot swap technology for uninterrupted printing.
roll resin signage printers that use six-colour resin ink on a variety of substrates with consistent, repeatable colour.
The new printers deliver output ready for immediate lamination at true production speeds up to 290 sf per hour. Both printers feature 1.5L ink packs, and the SureColor R5070L includes 3L per colour with
UltraChrome RS Resin ink delivers instant-dry scratch-resistant output, ready for immediate lamination, at a lower cost per mL. Featuring a new 2.6-inch user-replaceable PrecisionCore Micro TFP print head, the new printers are able to ensure projects with multiple panels have consistent, repeatable color. A new Quality Print Mode separates delivery of optimizer and colour ink to create a stable base layer for output. The SureColor R5070L also includes a hot-swappable ink system that automatically switches from an empty ink pack to a new ink pack mid-print for uninterrupted printing.
The SureColor R5070 and SureColor R5070L incorporate a threeheater system to promote even drying
with pre, platen and post heating. A 4.3-in. touchscreen control panel provides easy access to print functions, including quick start heaters, media selection, colour mode, and estimated print completion time. The replaceable fabric wiper system cleans the printhead and removes dust prior to printing, resulting in manual maintenance only being needed monthly.
The SureColor R5070 and SureColor R5070L include the new Epson Edge Print workflow software featuring an Adobe PostScript 3 engine for layout and print management, colour management and seamless workflow integration. Access to the Epson Edge Dashboard provides users with remote oversite and control of their Epson printer fleet.
Canon Canada Arizona 2300 Series UV
The Arizona 2300 Series from Canon features a stationary flatbed table structure and is built around the new Arizona FLOW technology, a vacuum technique that supports a zoneless, multi-origin table layout. FLOW offers up to 20 per cent more productivity, as it requires less masking and taping, and is supported by three-sided pneumatic registration pins to secure the substrate in place on the table. The pins also allow
printing from edge to edge on the substrate, to align substrates to either the left or the right edge of the table, or both. Users can also easily and accurately print double-sided, as well as on odd-shaped, heavy, smooth or pre-cut media without using a jig.
The Arizona 2300 Series offers customers the ability to print up to 1,001 sf per hour. The automated maintenance system gives hands-free printhead maintenance and reduces downtime by restoring nozzle function in as little as 24 seconds—including white ink, which can be difficult to maintain. Additionally, its high-resolution camera alignment system enables easy, quick and precise printhead alignment and flatbed table mapping.
The Arizona 2300 offers UV-LED curing for 40 per cent less energy consumption than traditional curing systems and has been safety-certified by TUV and DGUV for the North American market.
The Arizona 2300 uses less than 0.74 ml of ink per square foot on average, including maintenance.The right ink droplet size is used across each print for low ink consumption, and the series’ UV inks have been UL Greenguard Gold certified. An air filtration option is also available.
The Arizona 2300 features VariaDot printhead technology,
Epson’s SureColor R5070 and SureColor R5070L expand the company’s presence in the signage market.
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which offers bright white inks and a clear, glossy varnish. It also features a roll media option, which allows customers to choose thin, heatsensitive media, and offers the ability to switch between rigid and flexible media jobs without machine prep.
Mimaki TS100-1600 and Tiger-1800B Mk III
Mimaki USA’s TS100-1600 is sublimation transfer inkjet printer and Tiger-1800B Mk III is a high-speed textile inkjet printer with belt conveying system. The former is an entry-level, high-performance sublimation printer that meets a diverse range of on-demand production. It provides operators with the ability to produce highly detailed, photographic quality prints with a wide array of colours, gradient capabilities and tonal quality with print speeds up to 753 ft per hour.
These printers can now use 1-L bottled ink that will help reduce running costs by about half when compared with conventional models.
The Tiger-1800B Mk III features Mimaki Printer Controller (MPC), a touch-screen operation software that allows faster operation and tighter control of production and quality. This printer includes the Nozzle Re-
Mimaki USA’s new TS100-1600 and Tiger-1800 Mk III are new inkjet printers for textile and apparel applications.
covery System (NRS) and MAPS4 to ensure consistent, stable and quality printing. 10GB-T Ethernet is also supported for efficiently loading large production jobs.
The Tiger-1800B Mk III combines high productivity with a maximum print speed of 4,144 ft per hour and operating stability. It features 10-kg ink tanks for increased runtimes and lower running costs, allowing customers to choose between high-speed printing for productivity, or highquality printing for finer detail.
SwissQprint Karibu S
Karibu S is expected to provide high-speed performance on roll production jobs, such as billboards, short-lived posters and large-scale mesh prints. Karibu S stands on the same foundations as Karibu, so it offers the same features like Cassette
Neenah has expanded its wide-format line to include the Endura Poster in a new seven mil, 500-ft roll.
system for fast roll handling, a mesh kit for clean mesh printing and Tip Switch Vacuum for simple, targeted vacuum control. These features relieve pressure on operators during day-to-day work, are reliable and boost process efficiency.
Neenah Endura
Neenah has expanded its popular Endura wide-format line to include
Endura Poster in a new seven mil, 500-ft roll. It is also adding a 17-mil matte finish Endura Art to the portfolio. These additions are in response to market demand created by wideformat equipment enhancements while providing a “trusted, durable and cost-efficient” signage solution for various retail, hospitality, attractions, and commercial art businesses.
“The new 500-ft roll is a gamechanger for our printing partners. The new sizing means fewer interruptions of print runs for reloading, less
stopping to purge and clean the printer, and more manageable time, effort and labour per project,” said Jason Leonard, business development manager for Neenah.
Wide-format films from Sydney Stone
Sydney Stone has launched an exclusive range of wide-format media and laminates called EZ Media in the Greater Toronto Area. This includes self-adhesive vinyl, wall and floor media, banner media, pressure sensitive laminates and backlit film media.
“If you are looking to reduce your costs, we are very confident that the quality and price will turn you into an EZ Media customer,” said Dylan Westgate from Sydney Stone. “The wide-format market has had some big changes in the last 12 months, and our small business carries a large inventory that will ship quickly along with technical applications specialists that can work with you.”
The Karibu S printer from SwissQprint provides high-speed performance on roll production jobs such as billboards.
The new blueprint for wide format
The all new Acuity range from Fujifilm
With a track record of pioneering innovations, Fujifilm has helped thousands of sign and display printers transform their businesses. But in a world where change is constant, three years ago we decided to go back to the drawing board to define a new blueprint for UV inkjet print performance.
The result is a brand new range of Acuity printers designed and developed by Fujifilm that redefine price/performance and transform print ROI. They bring new meaning to versatility and value and reset the expectations around ease of use. And being developed by Fujifilm, they come fueled by the best UV ink on the market and a guarantee of outstanding quality and reliability.
The new range of Acuity printers designed and developed by Fujifilm.