Guardian Exhibition & Display has launched full-scale production on Vanguard Europe’s VKR3200-HS digital roll-to-roll printer installed at its purpose-built headquarters, near Southend, Essex, with managing director Anthony Booty saying he has been blown away by the overall experience, including print quality and color vibrancy.
The Vanguard VKR3200-HS high-end UV-LED roll-to-roll printer has become the center stage in Guardian Display’s transformation to a full service exhibition company and business drive that will double the £2.2 million turnover within the next two years. It has been housed in a specially built print room at the company’s headquarters near Southend in Essex.
The Vanguard VKR3200-HS is said to offer exceptional versatility with the new Elysian ink series and an extended color gamut. It easily handles materials such as static cling, paper, vinyl, mesh, textiles, and more. As an industrial-grade roll-to-roll printer, it meets all production needs with unmatched efficiency. Its dual roll capability enhances workflow and productivity, delivering superior quality and speed. Additional features include a mesh kit for perforated media and a backlit lightbox for stunning displays. Together with the Elysian ink series, it sets a new benchmark in UV-LED printing.
Booty said, “The Vanguard will be generating the bulk of the extra revenue. It has expanded my mind as to what we can do in different markets. We’re already seeing inquiries and many new orders from outside our traditional markets, such as fitting out offices and showrooms with large vinyls and wallpaper. If we carry on at this rate, the machine will pay for itself in 18 months. By taking printing in-house, we have saved 75% of the previous costs.”
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Vanguard has already established an important presence in the UK with flatbed installations. The VKR3200-HS deal – the first in the UK for a roll-to-roll machine from Vanguard – was handled by Andy McGuinness, managing director of SEDO – Large Format Solutions, the partner of Vanguard Europe’s UK distributor Westcoast.
“I went to the factory in Brixen – what an amazing set-up,” said Booty. “The sealant for me was the information I got, how well run the place was and walking around the place amazing. You always get a warm welcome, full service treatment and everybody was so polite and professional.
“It was a faultless demonstration and installation. One week’s training and we were up and running. Everything we were told would happen did… and on time. We have been blown away by everything. We chose a four-color machine; the quality is absolutely brilliant and the color vibrancy is unbelievable. The Vanguard VKR3200-HS is incredibly productive and will enable us to take on work at the last minute that previously we had to turn down. Now we are in charge of the whole process – from design, the printing and then the setting up at an exhibition. We also have a stitching machine for the fabric work.”
Yiannis Apostolidis, business development director, Vanguard Europe, said, “Guardian Display is a perfect example of how increasing numbers of customers are seeing the benefits of scaling up production in-house with the multi-award-winning printers. Working together in partnership, we work tirelessly to ensure an investment will lead to profitable business. The Vanguard VKR3200-HS is the newest member of our growing product portfolio that benefits from the flexibility of the new ink series and extended color gamut.”
