CEO Rob Franco explained the showroom is open to customers who would like to test their media and run their initial production while they are waiting for their machine(s) to arrive and be installed. ‘Additionally, the showroom represents a good model for how they can run a clean production environment in their print shops,’ he noted.
‘GSW is the number one African distributing partner of Mimaki and EFI printing technologies because we focus on helping our customers to maximise their profitability levels with our range of large- and grand-format printers and cutters,’ Rob enthused. ‘We now have 20 sub-dealers across our sub-Saharan Africa network and 10 newly-appointed dealers in South Africa, who fit into our common vision of customers achieving the best possible results at a cost-effective price point.’
GSW offers customers who can’t afford to purchase the equipment upfront rental options as well as trade-in and trade-up programmes for when their business and application needs expand. ‘This means that they can grow their businesses without any excess stress on their cashflow,’ he explained.
Rob also revealed that GSW is now the distributor of Klieverik rotary thermo-processing equipment (heat presses or dwell calenders) for advanced textile printing and finishing. ‘With over 40 years of experience in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of stand-alone equipment and complete production lines, Klieverik adds value to and improves the efficiency of textile operations,’ he stated. ‘Our business values are aligned because Klieverik also believes in partnering with customers before, during and after a sale is made; providing knowledge and spare parts support and service as well as creating new products in its R&D Centre to establish proof of concept prior to purchase.’
The Johannesburg branch team was very excited about showcasing the capabilities of the first EFI VUTek Pro 30h hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED entry-level production printer being demonstrated in Africa.
EFI sales director of Display Graphics: MEA, Sidney Ouahnoun, attended the three-day event to assist interested customers in the VUTek Pro 30h technology, which is suitable across a wide variety of substrates and applications, broadens print service providers’ (PSPs’) capabilities, versatility and productivity at an attractive price point. ‘With productivity rates of up to 230m2/hour, PSPs will be able to take on more jobs and keep them moving to satisfy customer demand for faster turnarounds. Operators can also change over from rigid to flexible printing quickly and easily thanks to the dual-roll printing feature and employ the continuous board printing feature to maximise full production speeds for large boards or multiple small boards,’ he explained.
According to Sidney, the 3.2-metre EFI Pro 30h is ideal for commercial printers, sign shops and in-plant printers looking to start, upgrade or add board and roll-to-roll print jobs to their wide-format capabilities. ‘This CMYK printer comes standard with two channels of white for high-value prints. It features UltraDrop Technology via seven picolitre printheads with greyscale printing up to 1 200dpi for outstanding smoothness in shadows, gradients and transitions as well as superb quality with four-point text in both standard and high-quality modes, and more clarity in all print modes. Additionally, a magnetic linear drive for better drop placement results in a greater colour gamut,’ he reported.
The Pro 30h includes an EFI Fiery® proServer Core digital front end (DFE), featuring Fast RIP acceleration technology, plus RIP and print on demand functionality or the ability to print pre-ripped files. ‘Its production, colour and layout features ensure truly exceptional print results via the Spot Colour, Cut Marks, Colour Verifier and Colour Profiler options,’ Sidney enthused.
Sidney also highlighted the benefits of EFI’s VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ soft signage printer, which features advanced media control, enabling PSPs to print directly to a wide range of polyester-based materials up to 3.4-metres wide. Its range of applications include exhibition graphics, backlit graphics, retail fixture wraps, front lit graphics, blockout banners, and flags, as well as fabric interior décor.
The FabriVU 340i+ offers ultra-high resolution up to 2 400dpi and three-level greyscale printing with seven-, 12- and 18-picolitre drop sizes. ‘High-resolution printheads optimise the ink drops with no overlay for smooth transitions and perfect crispness. The result is dramatic four-colour printing with a wide colour gamut, rich blacks and deep colour saturation for exceptional high-quality, backlit fabric displays,’ Sidney enthused.
This printer’s industrial design enables PSPs to reliably deliver jobs with tight turnaround times or large volumes in a single shift thanks to production speeds of 480m2/hour in outdoor print mode, 248m2/hour in production mode and 166m2/hour in high-quality backlit print mode.
Commenting on EFI’s six-year partnership with GSW, Sidney described GSW as a true partner for EFI customers in South Africa and other sub-Saharan countries thanks to its long tradition of offering technical training and the latest technologies from leading manufacturers to provide a fully integrated print solution.
He explained that EFI’s install base has increased by ten machines during the past two years, mainly in South Africa, but also in neighbouring countries because GSW has helped EFI to further develop existing markets and reach new markets, launch new products and service customers effectively. ‘GSW has achieved this by focusing on its value-added message and key differentiators while highlighting EFI’s solutions. Additionally, our customers enjoy partnering with a proven local channel provider.’
Creative track record
Rob described the Mimaki TSS 330-1600 as a water-based dye sublimation inkjet printer that achieves superb productivity of 69m2/hour in draft mode on textiles and apparel.
‘This printer combines high production and quality to meet the printing requirements of the textile market. Even in draft mode, its output speed is approximately 1.3 times (around 38%) faster than conventional Mimaki printers,’ Rob reported. ‘Additionally, Mimaki’s Weaving Dot ejection control technology reduces the unevenness and smearing of the ink, allowing PSPs to achieve higher image quality with better solid colouring and smoother images than before. It even enables uniform output of dark colour prints during low passes.’
The printer also incorporates an improved conveyance mechanism – consisting of a take-up device, media edge guide and post-heater – to enable stable and constant high-quality printing.
Rob explained that the drive motors for the take-up device are mounted on both left and right sides to better distribute the wind-up load and improve the winding stability. The device also features a renewed mechanism to reduce media meandering. Additionally, aligning the edge of the media to the guide prevents the media from meandering during winding and ensures stable feeding.
High durability materials are used for the post-heater to reduce abrasion caused by the transfer paper feeding to prevent failures and ensure stable printing.
In terms of flatbed UV-LED curing inkjet printers, Rob discussed Mimaki’s JFX600, JFX500 and JFX200 EX models. He explained that the JFX600-2513 enables direct printing on 2 500 x 1 300mm media – resin, glass, metal and sign boards – with a maximum thickness of 60mm. Its 16 printheads enable printing speeds of 200m2/hour in draft mode and its six ink colours allow the inclusion of lighter options for smooth gradations, natural skin tones and vivid photo reproduction; plus white; clear for gloss/matte finishes, embossing and 2.5D print semi-stereoscopic surfaces; and primer for stronger adhesion between ink and material.
‘Operator ease of use is enhanced by Mimaki Printer Controller software, which visually organises all operations by item on the touchscreen, to easily set print conditions, check work/printer status and work history and check maintenance instructions,’ Rob noted.
According to Rob, the JFX500-2131 sets a milestone in design and performance for signage, POS display, industrial print and packaging applications because it offers precise head movement control feature that produces exceptional high resolution image quality, achieves a maximum printing speed of 60m2/hour and is more reliable because it is equipped with a white ink circulation and ink degassing module that enhances operational stability. ‘The long-lasting LEDs result in less power consumption while the refillable two-litre ink system reduces waste compared to disposable cartridges.’
At 25m2/h, he maintained that the JFX200-2513 EX flatbed UV-LED curing inkjet printer is twice as fast as its predecessor when printing white and four colours simultaneously in high-speed mode. The draft mode can deliver print speeds of 35m2/hour. This printer also enables the simple creation of smooth-stereoscopic 2.5D prints, using RasterLink6Plus and Illustrator/Photoshop to create stepped data layers, which add textures such as woodgrain to interior materials or elevated letters to signage. Two separate partitions in the X-direction of the vacuum area can be adjusted depending on the media size used, while a foot switch provides a convenient way to turn the vacuum control on or off, Rob explained.
