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Vutek and Quarmby : Kitting out Manchester United
The Manchester United suites include scale cut-outs of players, produced by printing to Dibond substrate before cutting to shape
Quarmby has expanded its superwide format printing capability, with the addition of a Vutek QS2000 UV-curing, superwide format inkjet printer from EFI. The QS2000 joins Quarmby’s existing Vutek PV200, which has proved a huge success since its installation in July 2005.
Recently, Quarmby used its two Vutek printers to produce work for football giants, Manchester United, following construction of two new wings at the club’s Old Trafford ground. The extension comprised nine new hospitality suites, each decked out with between 50 and 100m2 of stunning large format graphics produced by Quarmby. In total, the project involved the production of approximately 600m2 of vibrant printed output and included various wall-mounted Foamex panels, plus a number of vinyl prints fixed to cladding around bar areas. The suites also included scale cut-outs of key players, produced by printing to Dibond substrate before cutting to shape.
According to Quarmby’s managing director, Damian Quarmby, the addition of the QS2000 was a logical development in the company’s growth strategy and was selected because of its high definition printing (HDP) capability and, in particular, its superior production speeds of up to 70m2/hr.
Quarmby said: “The PV200 set the standard in terms of quality when installed almost two years ago and during that time opened up many doors for us. We were looking to strengthen our printing capability and the great success we have experienced with this printer led us back to Vutek and the QS2000. For me, it is the best direct-to-substrate solution available and equips us with a winning combination of price, speed and quality.”
Amazing speed
So pleased was Quarmby with his initial Vutek purchase and the relationship formed with the company, he made the decision to install the QS2000 without even viewing it.
Quarmby explained: “As soon as I saw the specification for the QS2000 and the print sample that was sent to me, my mind was made up. The first time I viewed the QS2000 actually running was the day it was delivered. We were so impressed with the quality of output and amazing speed that we set it to work immediately.
“We are constantly switching media as each print job changes and the all-round capability and easy-handling of the QS2000 allows us to change from one job to another in a matter of seconds, so downtime is minimal.”
The QS2000’s arrival coincided with the company’s requirement to produce some 200 banners for a recent, nationwide army recruitment campaign. The 3 by 1m banners comprised ten designs and were produced on 450µm banner material.
Quarmby continued: “The QS2000 cut its teeth with the Army job and impressed us with its ability to print at 70m2 per/hour.”
The company also operates eight thermal inkjet printers, but due to reduced ink/finishing costs and higher speed, almost all production has now been moved to the Vuteks. The QS2000 also strengthens Quarmby’s ability to execute high speed production of roll-up banners for indoor and outdoor displays.
Quarmby concluded: “The QS2000 prints onto virtually anything and allows us to produce large quantities of retractable, waterproof and scratchproof banner stand graphics. Importantly, we experience zero colour shift, so in a run of 200, the first banner will look exactly like the last. This is not possible with our other printers, achieving colour consistency entails production delays.”
The company is about to upgrade its PV200 to a second QS2000, further strengthening its all-round service offering. The company is also considering EFI Logic, EFI’s print management solution which focuses on integrating all aspects of the production process.
