Yorkshire-based AD Bell has installed a Jetrix LXi7 flatbed, allowing the signage firm to take advantage of direct-to-substrate printing.
The company, already involved in production of window graphics, interior and exterior displays and signage as well as vehicle livery, had recently moved into new larger premises in Wetherby and was keen to expand its offering.
It identified a need for a printer that could take some of the capacity from its roll-to-roll machines, freeing those up to solely produce vinyl wraps and flexible signage. The search was on to find a new printer to tackle the flat direct-to-substrate work.
As director Simon Bell explained, ‘We’ve been going for over 20 years and during that time have constantly innovated and broadened what we are capable of producing. A lot of the work we do is vinyl vehicle wraps using roll-to-roll printers; however we also frequently produce large scale flat signage too.
‘Previously, this has been produced by printing the vinyl on a roll machine and then sticking it to board. However there is always a risk involved in doing it this way in terms of durability and resilience, which is why we wanted to look at some flatbed printer options.’
The AD Bell team explored several options but, after successful demonstrations and tests, the Jetrix LXi7 was chosen. Mr Bell concluded, ‘While the cost of the Jetrix was extremely competitive compared to the other options out there, our purchasing decision was based on much more. We were also keen to look at understanding the lifetime running costs, the quality and cost of inks and their durability. As a result, all of these factors were paramount in making our decision.
‘The Jetrix really does do exactly what it promised and more. It is faster than our existing roll-to-roll printers and so is doing things quicker and eliminating the additional stages in the process that we were going through using the roll-to-rolls.’
