Replacing a Roland DG SolJet eco-solvent XC-540, the Colorado represents a step up in the company’s capabilities, with the team keen to push the new machine to its limits, according to Solent managing director Martin Reynolds.

He told Printweek: “We’re learning as we go, finding out what we can and can’t do – we’re always trying to push the boundaries, find [applications or effects] that are a little bit different, and try to get a bit more margin.”

Part of the company’s current focus is expanding into paper-onto-board print to break into short-run packaging, after seeing it in-person at Drupa.

“We thought it might work quite nicely for us, so we’re dipping our toes in the water,” Reynolds added. 

The new Colorado has already proved useful for other applications at the 14-person, £1.5m operation, including taking up the Roland’s banner work and stickers, which the team cuts on its Duplo PFi Blade cutter.

Solent’s investment in wide-format came as part of a wider investment in Canon kit, including an ImagePress V1350 and VarioPrint 6180 Titan, which replaced an ImagePress C10000VP and VarioPrint 6160 in May and October respectively.

“This is our second change of Canon machines,” Reynolds explained.

“We’ve been with them for seven years – we like the kit, and I think Canon are groundbreaking at the moment with what they have in the pipeline.”

Last year’s investment has actually started saving Solent money, with the new machine’s finance cheaper than the click charge on the older machines – with Solent saving hundreds of pounds a month across both machines.

“It’s worked very well for us, and was an obvious decision to upgrade,” Reynolds added.