The London-based business bought the machine, which was installed at its premises in August, to explore new business opportunities and increase its service offerings. The firm first saw the machine at Sign & Digital UK in April before travelling to Fespa Digital in Munich in May to have a closer inspection.
The MTEX 5032Pro is a 3.2m wide direct-to-textile printer with integrated fixation that runs at 58sqm/hr.
"We are constantly striving to embrace new technologies and ideas and we see continuation of this process as key to our future success,” said sales director Andrew LeMaire.
"Soft imaging was the last wide-format print technique that we didn’t have in our stable. We knew the way forward a while ago but hadn’t been able to take this step until now as we needed to upgrade the size and accessibility of our production area.”
The company, which was previously based in a 790sqm basement location in Soho, expanded into a new production centre in Tottenham Hale, North London, in April. Its creative client services run from its base in the centre of London.
“Without the move we wouldn’t have been able to bring in a machine the size of the MTEX 5032Pro. We shopped around but the main reasons that we picked this machine are because of the quality and because the footprint is smaller thanks to the in-built calendar unit that we couldn’t get elsewhere. Even in our new premises space is at a premium.”
With the in-built calendar unit the business can start proofing the colour, which is critical for its blue chip client base, as soon as the material starts coming through.
The firm, which has bought a Matic Cronos sewing station to complement the MTEX 5032Pro investment, also installed an HP Latex 360 printer in July. The business also operates four Canon iPF9400’s, four HP Designjet 6200’s, an HP Designjet Z6600, two Seiko ColorPainter H-74’s, an EFI Vutek GS3250 and a range of finishing equipment.
Genix, which has 45 staff and a turnover of around £5m, serves clients including Nike, Gap, Chanel, Calvin Klein, the Royal Academy of Arts and the National Portrait Gallery.
