The purchase formed part of a dual-press purchase that also included an EFI Vutek HS100 Pro hybrid flatbed and roll-to-roll press.

The Cheadle-based firm chose the presses, which feature variable-drop grayscale technology, because of their robustness and precise ink lay-down, which enables production-quality imaging at full speeds.

“Our approach to product development is not without challenges, with some materials providing print instability and ink adhesion issues,” said Cestrian production director Paul Gibson.

“The Vutek presses give us the flexibility to process these materials with a low amount of waste, offering high quality at a competitive speed.”

Cestrian has invested over £2m in the latest printing technology over the past three years to add capacity to a facility that produces outdoor graphics, poster print and building wraps.

The 80-staff business runs a large fleet of sheetfed and hybrid inkjet printing equipment, cut-sheet digital presses, textile printers, trimmers and cutting machines as well as welders.

The new Vutek presses were installed just before Christmas. 

The HSr Pro press handles flexible substrates up to 3.2m wide, has an elevated unwinder and rewinder system and multiple-roll capability that can handle two 1,520mm rolls.

Operating at speeds up to 100 boards per hour, the Vutek HS100 Pro press is billed as offering throughput comparable to screen printing, with print quality that approaches offset on a wide range of flatbed or roll-to-roll print jobs.

The press includes fully automated loading and unloading.

Both Vuteks feature Pin & Cure imaging technology, which EFI said to offer precise ink lay-down, gloss control and greater imaging accuracy.

The presses provide variable-drop grayscale imaging for higher image quality and accurate spot-colour matching, EFI added.

Cestrian uses the latest-version EFI Fiery proServer technology.