Cestrian Imaging Ltd. Increases Production Levels with Two EFI VUTEk HS Pro Inkjet Presses

Cheadle, U.K.-based Cestrian Imaging Ltd. is one of the first companies worldwide to have invested in the EFI VUTEk HSr Pro, a dedicated roll-to-roll inkjet press – part of a dual-press purchase that also included an EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro hybrid roll/flatbed press. The company chose the EFI presses because of their robust production capabilities; the presses’ precise ink lay-down enables production-quality imaging at full-rated speeds – a unique advantage of their highly consistent, reliable ink adhesion on a wide range of substrates.
 
Cestrian, a business that services customers all over the world, has invested more than 2 million GBP in the latest printing technology in the past three years. The added capacity fits with the company’s extensive facility, which includes a large range of sheetfed and hybrid inkjet printing equipment, cut-sheet digital presses, fabric and textile printers, trimmers and cutting machines as well as welders.
 
The company, which is known for delivering high-quality, timely results for its clients’ outdoor graphics and poster printing needs, has 20 years of experience in the outdoor advertising market and has built proprietary software to streamline the entire process with online bookings, proofing and approvals. The EFI VUTEk presses meet Cestrian’s standards with multiple running speeds and print quality settings that give the company the ability to quickly process standard out-of-home graphics, as well as high-end backlit display prints.
 
One of the first companies in the UK to offer inkjet billboard printing, Cestrian today can also wrap an entire building, transforming any given urban landscape with advertising images. For these large-scale applications, the new VUTEk roll-to-roll press helps the company raise its productivity and image quality levels. The press handles flexible substrates up to 126.5 inches wide, has an elevated unwinder and rewinder system and multiple-roll capability with two 60-inch rolls.
 
EFI 3M SuperFlex ink available for the press is ideal for outdoor graphics applications and has solvent-like elongation characteristics and withstands heat installation without cracking.
 
Operating at speeds up to 100 boards per hour, the EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro press represents an alternative to analog equipment, offering throughput comparable to screenprinting, with print quality that approaches offset on a wide range of flatbed or roll-to-roll print jobs. The press includes fully automated loading and unloading to accessories for more-efficient production of one-off jobs to longer-run work traditionally suited for screenprinting or offset presses.
 
Both of Cestrian’s new EFI VUTEk investments feature EFI’s Pin & Cure imaging technology, which offers precise ink lay-down, gloss control and greater imaging accuracy. Plus, the presses provide true, variable-drop grayscale imaging for higher image quality and accurate spot-color matching. Highly opaque white ink and a unique, multilayer printing capability on the presses ensure high-end visual appeal on backlit displays and other applications.
 
Employing over 80 people, Cestrian’s aim is to bring brand communications to life, from design to production. The company is an industry leader in PVC banner and textile printing for retail point-of-sale signage and the diversity of Cestrian’s state-of-the-art equipment – including the new inkjet press pair – enables the company to deliver successful projects, no matter the complexity or scale.