MacroArt’s investment included both new machinery and software for the company, which have also helped it to reduce its material wastage.
Installed at MacroArt’s St Neots site were a Mimaki UCJV300, installed in November, a Canon Colorado 1650 roll-to-roll digital UVgel printer in December, and the UK’s first Durst P5 TEX iSUB dye sublimation printer, which kicked off the investment round with its installation in May.
The firm’s new software package, bought at the end of 2021 and part of a consistent process of tweaks and updates throughout 2022, includes a new Pitstop PDF validator server from Enfocus, and an AI-based proofing, checking and print job management programme from Tilia Labs called Phoenix AI.
The combination of new equipment and software systems has already had a dramatic effect on the company’s production and sustainability, according to Mark Rose, MacroArt’s operations director.
“At MacroArt, our forward planning is as much about delivering a truly sustainable result as it is about enhancing productivity, and with these considerable technical additions in both our hardware and software capabilities, we are achieving both,” he said.
The firm has seen significant reductions in material, energy and ink wastage through its new software’s ability to efficiently gang up and collate multiple projects, leading to efficiencies in cost and lead times, and freeing up the company’s production schedule.
Reducing waste is not just good for the firm’s bottom line, however. According to Rose, it is an important aspect of the firm’s sustainability goals.
He added: “We know that there are two sides to the delivery of an effective sustainable project - minimising waste in production and maximising recycling and reuse of the graphics we produce.”
MacroArt will exhibit a pilot recycling scheme at the ICE gaming event at Excel on 7-9 February 2023, where it will collect and recycle all the graphics it produces for the event, including flexible PVC and 100% polyester materials.
“With our in-house efficiency improvements, and the groundbreaking initiative at the ICE exhibition, we are addressing both [minimising waste and maximising recycling], with the passion and technical expertise for which we are known.”
