The Durst was installed at the St Neots-based branding and signage specialist in late May. 

It features integrated inline and contactless fixation technology, which Durst said eliminated blurring or bleeding. 

MacroArt managing director Michael Green enthused about the benefits of the new printer. 

“The machine is fab – five times faster than our old set up as it sublimates as part of the same machine,” he said. 

“The quality is superb, much less waste.”

Green said the business had been impressed with the performance of its two previous Durst devices. The P5 TEX iSUB replaced an older Rhotex printer.

“After significant research we once again partnered with Durst to upgrade our dye-sublimation print capability. Investing in the P5 TEX iSUB was a natural progression and one that doubles our capacity and changes a two-step process into a very fast one-step process,” he explained. 

As well as the “superb” inline fixation, he praised its quality, speed, and range of colours, as well as the materials handling benefits. 

“Having the ability to stitch two materials together online with no chop and change, means virtually no waste of materials which is extremely important with rising costs and shortages and is exactly the kind of feature that adds value to our customers.”

The 3.4m-wide printer prints at up to 380sqm/hr and can also print onto transfer paper if required. 

Green said the investment was in excess of £300,000. 

MacroArt also invested in Durst’s Lift ERP integrated workflow management software platform last year, which Green said had also helped the company-wide drive to reduce waste. 

Peter Bray, managing director of Durst UK & Ireland, commented: “The Durst P5 TEX iSUB is proving its reliability in 24/7 operation and delivering significant increases in quality, productivity and versatility to customers such as MacroArt. It’s brilliant that they have returned to pre-pandemic business levels. This new investment in our technology is a real sign of confidence for the future.”

The firm also runs printers from EFI, Epson and Canon at its 4,000sqm facility alongside a wide range of cutting and finishing kit. 

Green said the 88 staff firm had achieved its plans to achieve sales of £8.5m last year, and was on target for £11.5m turnover in 2022.