Kicking World Cup Goals with the New EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ Visual Solutions Australia made a big impression at the Women’s World Cup; Managing Director Marshal Beaumont explains how things are going with their new EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ printer. Based in Moorabbin, Victoria, Visual Solutions has a strong presence in the events and exhibitions sector, producing fabric banners and backlit signs. They also do a range of POS and retail signage and offer project management and installation services. One of the first production jobs run on their new EFI printer, installed in June 2023, has made an impact in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup in Melbourne. The company printed a 6 metre by 7 metre Matildas jersey for client Art vs Commerce, working to create an activation for Qantas. The jersey was initially placed at Federation Square, flat on a stage, allowing fans to write messages of support across the massive display; it was then moved to Marvel Stadium to support the Matildas at their warm-up match against France, where it was displayed at the stadium entrance. Luke Killingly, the owner of Art vs Commerce, says
the installation started on the Friday before the game, but they had to roll the giant jersey up and secure it due to high winds and concerns that the activation wouldn’t hold up overnight. The fabric was attached to the frame using white socks and steel wires that stretched the fabric taut and displayed the jersey upright. Printed in two parts and joined down the middle, Beaumont notes that the lines of the diagonal uniform design match up perfectly on the enormous, finished piece. He also noted the incredible colour depth and precision in this and other jobs, adding that Visual Solutions have moved all the printing of their backlit fabrics to the new EFI printer, “On the older printers, sometimes the blacks would show up as green when lit up. With this new printer, the blacks are black, and when you light it up, the quality of the black is just amazing. We’re moving much of the work we would have done on the flatbed to VUTEk FabriVU 340i+.” Beaumont is also delighted with the speed of printing, saying that the new EFI is three times faster than his previous machine and can print an entire roll within 20 minutes. Official production speed for the printer is up to 250 sqm per hour. Paul Whitehead, Business Unit Manager – Sign & Display at Currie Group, said, “We were delighted to work with Visual Solutions installing their third EFI machine. The EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340i+, with its incredible speed and unmatched colour depth, has enabled the company to produce a brilliant campaign in support of the Matildas for the Women’s World Cup at a blistering speed, and I can’t wait to see the future campaigns that the company will produce.” Beaumont has nothing but praise for Currie Group, saying the EFI was up and running within five days. After a week of training, Visual Solutions was printing production jobs, and it hasn’t stopped since, “The machine hasn’t stopped; it’s been running every day since installation. Alex Bloch, the Sign & Display Specialist from Currie Group, came in and did all the calibrations and colour management and got everything looking good. He was good to deal with,” concludes Beaumont.
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