Verve Display, manufacturers of displays, has invested in two Agfa wide-format print engines: the Oberon RTR3300 roll-to-roll and the Jeti Mira MG2732 HS LED flatbed; installed as of March this year.
According to the company, this investment has improved its production capacity and sustainable credentials allowing them to take on larger projects while retaining quality.
Simon Perkes, founder of Verve Display, said the new-found capacity provided by the Agfa machines has allowed Verve to print all its work in-house, a preference of its customers – with the projects being handled completely by the company as an extension of their team. Mr Perkes outlined the ability to maintain high-quality standards as a key benefit, highlighting the Oberon roll-to-roll’s two sets of print heads, enabling it to print twice as fast without compromising on quality. Additionally, it has allowed a switch from UV bulbs to LED curing, reducing energy usage, he added.
The Agfa Oberon RTR3300, powered by the Asanti workflow, is a 3.3m roll-to-roll printer. It offers media diversity and a range of applications, including mesh and backlit prints. The printer comes in a four-colour plus white or a six-colour version. There is also a dual-roll option capable of handling two rolls, each up to 1.6 meters wide, doubling the total output.
The Agfa Jeti Mira HS LED, also powered by the Asanti workflow, is a flatbed printer that utilises UV LED curing to deliver high-quality prints on a wide range of materials. This printer features a moving-gantry design and can print borderless on rigid media up to 2.69m wide and 3.2m long. The Jeti Mira uses six colours (CMYKLcLm) and white, with optional (3D) varnish or primer.
David Blackholly, production manager at Verve Display, said the company visited the Agfa showroom in Antwerp in late 2023 and decided to purchase two machines dedicated to its specialty. Despite a trend to shift towards hybrid printers, the company were impressed by the two dedicated models, deciding to purchase both to protect themselves from any breakdown issues, outlined Mr Blackholly.
He added, ‘The trip to Antwerp was invaluable; it ensured that we reviewed a number of solutions and ended up making the best choice for our business.’
As part of a total investment of £750,000, the company decided to purchase the Jeti Mira flatbed printer to replace its Arizona engine and the Oberon roll-to-roll to replace its old roll-to-roll Anapurna. The investment also covered improvements in the complete workflow and finishing area and included the purchase of a Kongsberg cutting table.
Mr Perkes concluded, ‘Over the years, Agfa has provided exceptional support to Verve Display, which is why we continue to choose them as our print partners. As a business, Agfa has consistently demonstrated innovation by introducing new products with additional functionality. Their technical team possesses extensive knowledge, is easily reachable, and promptly provides accurate answers, making them a reliable and valuable asset to our operations.’