Super Signs first to install Arizona 1300 UV flatbed

WA business Super Signs has installed the first Océ Arizona 1300 series flatbed UV in Australia, and is already reaping rewards from the new printer.

Owner Scott MacKinnon says the Arizona 1360XT will bring a range of benefits to his customers. He said, “The printing capabilities we now have with the Arizona open the door to new market opportunities, ensuring we have plenty of new avenues to pursue to guarantee the future growth of our business.

“For example, we are already using Océ Touchstone software in conjunction with the new printer to supply other signage companies with braille and tactile signs, and can see the opportunity to use the 2.5D dimensional print in many applications in future.”

Super Signs had identified a gap in its production capacity, and set about looking for a flatbed printer that would enable them to handle a broader range of applications – and their research led it to the new Arizona 1360XT.

“When you’re making such a significant investment it is really important to investigate all the options carefully,” MacKinnon said, adding “and once we did so, we identified some obvious advantages that the Arizona could deliver to our business.

“This included substantial increases in our production volume and efficiencies within our digital printing capabilities – and the ability to print directly onto a wide variety of substrates was also obviously a key factor in this decision.”

Over its nearly 50-year history, Super Signs has proven its ability to nimbly move with the times. Initially established in Bunbury, the company was founded on providing traditional signwriting services. Today, however, there is not much in signage, display and graphics that the company doesn’t do.

At its base in Balcatta, the company houses some of the world’s best commercial printing technology, as well as flatbed routers, two roll-to-roll digital printers, a metal fabrication workshop, acrylic fabrication, sandblasting and painting booths.

MacKinnon says Super Signs is able to provide custom solutions for just about any signage requirement, from fabricated acrylic signs, to aluminium composite panels and signage, LED illuminated signs and digital screens, neon signs, pylon and 3D sky signs, large format printing and banners, window films and graphics.

Océ is a key innovation centre for Canon, global leaders in consumer and professional imaging, and the 1300 range is the culmination of more than a decade of R&D and flatbed development. Released around the globe last year, Océ says the range was designed in response to dual market challenges – the need for businesses to boost productivity and to open up new market opportunities by diversifying their applications portfolios.

According to Océ, having a flatbed area of 2.5m x 3.08m means the Arizona 1360XT can handle a wider range of materials than similar flatbeds – anything from wood and glass, to canvas and tiles; it also features LED curing, which cuts production time, and allows businesses to meet the needs of the most sensitive markets by using LED-UV Greenguard certified inks. The Arizona Xpert job preparation software further contributes to the printer’s ability to help businesses operate smarter, faster and more cost-effectively.

The range also takes advantage of Océ’s new Touchstone technology, which opens up even more opportunities with 2.5D dimensional print, allowing for raised and textured surfaces.

“All in all, we could see that the Arizona was a perfect fit for our core business, and an ideal complement to our existing print infrastructure,” MacKinnon said.

Since installation, the machine has more than lived up to the hype, with MacKinnon saying its implementation into Super Signs’ workflow has delivered an immediate reduction in both materials’ consumption and labour inputs, compared with its existing production infrastructure.

MacKinnon said the new Arizona fits the Super Signs strategy, he said, “Our vision is to ensure our business continues to grow and thrive, becoming a trusted market leader in the provision of quality signage products and services,” he explains. “Quality, safety and attention to detail are vital at every stage of the process – and that requires not only the best equipment and systems, it has to be backed with the best people.”

“We are lucky to have a team of highly skilled signage professionals in all roles across the business, from design, to fabrication and installation, all of whom share our dedication to achieving the highest standards of products and services in the signage market.

“It is also great to have reliable support from suppliers like Paul Salmon and the team at Océ Australia. Their local Perth-based service and support infrastructure were a key factor in giving us the confidence to proceed with this investment. And we’re delighted with how it’s turned out.”