Replacing an eight-year-old Zund, the Kongsberg has brought a number of new techniques into the fold at Verve Display. 

“It still feels like we’re on the learning curve,” David Blackholly, Verve’s director.

“It’s quite a complex piece of kit, with lots of options, lots of blades, and options for V-cuts – it has really opened up some options for us to find a whole new way of doing things, and think creatively.”

The cutter, purchased in the Spring from CMYUK, has played a significant role in the development of imaginative reboard installations, such as the display Verve printed and installed for September’s National Television Awards (NTAs) at London’s O2 stadium.

The job, which saw it print entirely PVC-free to fit out the arena, is part of a longer project with the arena which has included printing the graphics for Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour.

Verve’s purchase of the Agfa Oberon 3.3m has backed up the company’s freer, more experimental attitude with a serious boost to production capacity.

The Oberon has joined several other big hitters in its print lineup, including an Epson SureColour SC-R5000 resin printer – a UK first install in 2022 – and Canon Arizona XT four-colour flatbed.

“It has been great,” said Blackholly.

“It’s incredibly quick, and we’ve had some amazing feedback from our clients on the colour that we’re achieving on our fabrics.

“It can print a wall in a fraction of the time we used to need.”

Blackholly added that the combination of speed and flexibility that the £300,000 overall investment developed has really helped the business tackle larger clients, such as the NTAs.

“It’s given us the confidence to take on these large projects, like the NTAs or the Formula E expo in London; and we can take them on, turn them around quickly, and the quality is amazing.”

Verve, which employs 20, will celebrate its 20th anniversary later this year.