ScreenTec invests in Canon Océ Arizona 480 GT to boost output capacity

Wales-based print service provider ScreenTec has invested in an Océ Arizona 480 GT from Canon to enhance productivity and expand its portfolio of services.  Inspired by the success achieved with its existing Océ Arizona 350 GT â€" which has underpinned its growth from a traditional screen printer to a multi-purpose PSP â€" ScreenTec has purchased an Arizona 480 GT to boost output capacity and pave the way for potential new revenue streams.

The company is looking to further strengthen its position in both the point-of-sale and industrial print markets, and was attracted by the Arizona 480 GT’s capability to produce multi-layer specialist applications including window graphics.

Harry Palmer, ScreenTec’s Sales Director, says, “Digital wide format printing has galvanised our business, increasing the speed and range of applications we can offer to our customers. Further investment in UV wide format technology was the next natural step for our business. Scouring the market for what technology was out there, we just couldn’t look past Canon and its Océ Arizona solutions â€" which have served us well. Picking another machine from the Océ Arizona stable was an easy decision for us to make.”

Two key drivers for the company in selecting its new investment were the reliability of the technology and Canon’s back-up service. With competition high during times of economic uncertainty, PSPs must be more meticulous than ever when it comes to selecting the right supplier and product to help them move their business forward.

Palmer explains, “I have learnt from experience that it is absolutely vital to have a machine that is dependable and that will provide you with minimal downtime. That may sound obvious, but the complete package is not always there. Machines do need servicing now and again, but it’s critical that the supplier provides efficient support and service to ensure any problems are dealt with effectively to minimise downtime. The Arizona 350 GT’s reliability â€" coupled with the service and support provided by Canon â€" has been the cornerstone of our recent business growth, as it means we never have to say ‘no’ to a customer or let them down.”

Canon’s Océ Arizona 480 GT met the company’s search criteria. The market’s leading UV flatbed wide format printer offers remarkable application versatility and productivity, while maintaining the uncompromising print quality favoured by Canon customers. It features speeds of up to 32.8m2/hr with eight independent ink channels capable of varnish for decorative gloss effects, double opacity white option and two additional channels for cyan and magenta (CM2) for smooth production printing.

Palmer elaborates on the appeal of the new machine: “We will be able to meet growing customer demand for shorter runs, with high quality applications more cost-effectively â€" all delivered quickly thanks to the high throughput and batch-printing mode. Meanwhile the opportunities afforded by the additional channels have already attracted interest from our customers â€" including the option to produce specialist applications like window graphics. We will be inviting them to the factory as soon as the new printer arrives, to demonstrate what it could mean for their business.”

Duncan Smith, Wide Format Printing Group Director, Canon UK, says, “We’re delighted that ScreenTec has decided to continue its journey with us. It is an example of a company that recognises both the vast potential of the wide format market and how digital printing technology can drive success. Such is the image quality of our digital Océ Arizona UV flatbeds, they can complement more traditional printing methods â€" such as screen-printing â€" to drive productivity and efficiency. Meanwhile the eight-ink channel configuration offers customers a panoply of creativity possibility â€" the bigger picture really has got bigger.”