The 3.4m dye-sub machine was delivered in August and joins its twin, which was installed at the Leicester operation’s base last October. The newest addition represents a £225,000 investment for the large-format trade printer.
Both machines are capable of both direct-to-fabric and transfer paper applications, although delays due to changeover times and an increasing number of orders to fulfil meant Printvision required a second machine to help shoulder the work.
Managing director Ash Patel said: “Our shift patterns have been changing over time to get more and more work out, and we needed two FabriVus because 80% of our business is in fabric printing and there is a lot to worry about if one goes down.
“We can now run one doing direct and the other printing transfer to avoid changeover times or have both running the same job to increase turnaround speeds.
“Having been so happy with the first one, it was a no brainer to go with EFI again for a second. We aim to be more productive and speedier for our customers, which a second FabriVu will help us to achieve.”
The FabriVu 340 prints at resolutions up to 2,400dpi on fabric weighing from 45-450gsm and paper from 28-140gsm. Using water-based CMYK dispersed dye inks, it can print at a maximum production speed of 500sqm/hr.
Patel estimates the two machines will probably run 60% direct-to-fabric jobs and 40% transfer paper applications, with products including tension fabric systems, tubular display stands and soft furnishings.
While the first FabriVu was taken on from Corby-based supplier iSub, Printvision went directly to EFI for a deal on the second machine.
In the coming months, the £2.5m-turnover firm will be taking on a 3.2m-wide Vutek LX3 Pro LED printer from the manufacturer for the production of POS items including PVC banners.
Printvision moved into a £1.5m purpose-built facility covering 1,300sqm in December last year, with production space of 371sqm – which is set to double to 743sqm ahead of the arrival of the Vutek through an extension of the existing site.
The company’s printing portfolio also includes a Canon Océ Arizona 360GT flatbed, a Xerox C75 toner printer, a 3.2m Mimaki UJV55-320 roll-to-roll system, a Monti Antonio 901 calender and a Dyss X9 3230C flatbed cutter. It employs 28 members of staff.
