Wide Format Inkjet Outpaces RIP

Colourgen reseller Newcastle Computer Services has delivered a new Encad Novajet 1000i wide format inkjet printer to Pre-Press Digital (PPD).

Colourgen reseller Newcastle Computer Services has delivered a new Encad Novajet 1000i wide format inkjet printer to Pre-Press Digital (PPD).

The 1000i joins PPD's existing Encad printers, including the Novajet 700 and Novajet 850.

Based in the North East, PPD provides a digital print service to the graphics art industry.

The company said it believes in investing heavily in the latest technology in a range of digital services.

Typically, the company produces print for everything from exhibition graphics, outdoor banners and point-of-sale to flyers, brochures and other marketing material.

Chris Hill, PPD's director for large format printing, commented: "We have an excellent reputation for delivering high quality graphics for a variety of applications and we do everything in our power to make sure we deliver on time.

To do this, we need printers that are fast and flexible and that can produce the highest possible image quality.

We have always found these criteria are best met by Encads." Hill has been using Encad printers for as long as anyone in the UK, first working with the Novajet 1 10 years ago.

"When I joined PPD six years ago, the large format department consisted of one HP.

I quickly put the case for the latest Encad (at that time the Novajet 700) and demonstrated that in terms of speed, quality and the range of media available, that it was was a much better option.

We also invested in a Seal Image 62 Plus laminator, which further enhanced our ability to deliver a range of applications," added Hill.

Since then, PPD has grown to become a leading producer of large format printing solutions in the area.

Hill explained: "Our success has come from providing solutions not just prints.

We have sourced a range of pop-up displays that are ideally suited to our customers' needs.

These are low cost, easily transportable signage solutions which, when used with the high quality Encad prints, have proven to be highly popular.

We also provide solutions on a range of substrates, such as banners, back-lit films and lenticular, all of which deliver perfect prints on the Encads." Earlier this year, Hill heard about the new Novajet 1000i and was keen to see it in action.

"We had previously purchased the Novajet 850 and were really happy with the prints we were getting from this and also the 700.

However, when we saw what the 1000i could deliver, we were blown away," he commented.

As well as the quality of the prints, he was impressed with the speed of the printer and its ease-of-use.

"In the past, it has always been the case that the RIP software would be waiting for the printer to catch up with it resulting in a lot of hanging around.

With the 1000i it is the other way round - the software can't RIP the file fast enough.

The 1000i has added another important dimension to our operation of unattended printing.

We can set a job up and leave it to print overnight knowing that it is likely to be OK.

Even if there is a problem, the printer knows to stop completely to make sure we don't waste ink or media.

This capability allows us to meet important jobs at very short notice, including one customer that ordered a full exhibition stand at 5.00pm on a Tuesday for collection by 5.00pm on Wednesday," he added.

The Novajet 1000i has resolved some of the issues not met by other large format inkjet printers, including drying claimed Colourgen.

"Encad has got the drying spot on with the 1000i.

It works by actually heating the paper to ensure fast, even drying without the risk of the ink being 'moved on the media'.

Prints coming off the 1000i are dry enough to go directly on to the laminator, which gives us a massive time saving.

I am also happy with the ink delivery system.

With the new system, Encad guarantees that the quality of the ink is maintained from one cartridge to the next.

This is essential for the high quality graphics we produce for our customers.

The Quantum inks also more economical and deliver improved cost per print," said Chris Hill.

PPD has worked with Colourgen for many years and has developed a solid relationship.

"Colourgen is an honest company that delivers first class support, is very responsive and will always tell you what's what.

They know their products inside out and can always provide the right solution and always at very short notice if required.

The Novajet 1000i is an excellent production machine that can deliver pretty much anything you need for indoor graphics.

For exhibitions, point-of-sale and other indoor applications, it is quite simply better than anything else on the market.

You could produce the same prints on machines that are five times the cost and you would say that the 1000i prints were better," concluded Hill.

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