When Gauteng printing company Imajez Technologies decided to go outdoors - they went grand format, with a Scitex Vision XLjet3 outdoor printer from local agent First Graphics.

Imajez Technologies specialises in large format digital printing for advertising agencies, exhibition companies and signage manufacturers. The company needed a new grand format outdoor printer in order to keep abreast of growing market demand for fast yet high quality outdoor printing and to improve on their existing smaller-format and slower technology.

Always a challenge in South Africa's variable climate, the Scitex Vision Xljet3 uses solvent-based inks to withstand UV exposure and weathering in general. The printer has a 3,2 m printing width and is suitable for billboards; backlit applications; P.O.P./P.O.S. including double-sided; exhibition graphics; truck-side curtains; theatre and TV backdrops; textiles, including carpets; vehicle and building wraps; floor and window graphics.

One of Imajez Technologies, co-owners, Dario Torrente, says, "This printer offers high production speed and quality, which enable us to offer our customers a fast yet high-quality printing service. The Xljet3 prints up to 10 times faster than our current indoor machines, with printing speeds of up to 86 m²/hour, allowing us to produce a much larger volume of work. Our customers want immediate results, and we are able to meet this need, printing their job in a matter of hours, if required."

He adds, "Where previously we could print up to widths of 1,3 m, we can now offer a print width of 3,2 m, which allows us access to a whole new market, including billboards, vehicle wraps and even building wraps. The vehicle wrap market is a big advertising medium in Europe and we see it taking off here in a big way. What better way to advertise your company or service than on a moving billboard?"

Torrente particularly likes the fact that backlit and double-sided jobs are easily accommodated. "On backlit jobs, the Xljet3 allows for double-sided printing, which means you can now maintain the same quality image both day and night through double-sided printing on virtually any width, length and thickness of media such as canvas, mesh, tyvek, flex-face banner, vinyl, fabrics, carpet and paper."

He says that since the printer's installation in mid-June, it has been hard at work and customers have expressed their pleasure with the combined speed and quality of their print jobs.

For more information contact Melody Pereira, First Graphics, 011 799 3800.