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After 60 years of producing textile and garment printing equipment, the Reggiani Macchine company joined burgeoning global digital giant EFI. |
Reggiani had produced rotary and flatbed analogue machines for 50 years, then a decade ago, it began developing digital solutions in response to the growing demand for short run or just in time work.
Michele Riva, sales and marketing director at EFI Reggiani, stopped off in this part of the world recently, speaking enthusiastically of this developing technology partnership. He says, “We had been growing rapidly in digital printing, up by 25 per cent a year for the past four years. We were at a size where we could either stick where we were, or move forward, but to move forward we needed a partner. EFI was the perfect opportunity, with its unrivalled digital expertise in both colour management and printing.
“While visiting this region, my aim is to meet with printers and share with them our vision and help them understand the developing high-margin opportunities and how to exploit them.”
Soft signage incorporates banners, flags and display graphics printed on lightweight materials, rather than vinyls. The demand for soft signage output continues to experience dynamic growth worldwide, with a predicted compound annual growth rate of eight per cent over the next four years.
Riva sees the growth mainly driven by new ink jet technologies that have the ability to deliver customised micro-runs with shorter turnaround times. On top of that, the product weighs less to transport; delivers a high value; offers more durability and a range of substrates. He says, “Soft signage is set to enjoy stellar growth thanks to the short run just in time features of digital printing. By being able to combine short run work with repeatability, EFI is enabling print providers to exploit a whole new market.”
EFI has just announced the release of the FabriVu 180 soft signage printer. A 1.8m aqueous ink printer for direct-to-textile or transfer paper printing, the new device offers speeds of 93-186sqm per hour; a wide colour gamut with ultra-high resolution; and four-level grayscale imaging.
Riva says, “The FabriVu 180 is an ideal solution for businesses looking to capture dynamic opportunities in the fast-growing digital textile soft signage market.”
He adds, “The EFI VUTEk FabriVu 180 represents a new category in digital display graphics production: industrial performance at entry level price. Designed specifically for the soft signage market, its competitive price point promises an easy to use, all in one small foot print package.”
EFI lists the benefits the FabriVu 180 delivers:
- More productivity than its competitors
- Lowest cost per metre in its category
- Deeper colour saturation and POP quality: 300dpi to 4800dpi
- Wider colour gamut: CMYK + Fluorescent Yellow & Magenta
- Better ink viscosity: easy dry due to less water content
- Ink recovery and a no waste water system
- Ability to manage future substrates including lighter paper and fabrics
- A green solution with no waste water and low energy consumption
Riva adds, “Print business owners looking to move into niche markets that are set to show significant growth should be talking to EFI.”
