Prior to the roll-to-roll printer’s arrival, the £2m-turnover operation’s production capacity centred around a pair of hybrid printers for most projects, with soft signage output on a six-year-old Mimaki JV5, but as demand for soft signage increased, it struggled to keep up.

As a result, managing director Baz Ogle scoped the market last year and identified three potential replacements.

“We sent them all test files to assess the quality of print and the results of the Agfa Avinci CX3200 was undoubtedly the best, even though it only offers four colours,” he said.

Installed at the end of last year and paired with a Monti Rotary Calender unit, the 270sqm/hr Avinci CX3200 can print directly to textiles or to transfer paper.

Stonebridge, Milton Keynes-based Format Graphics specialises in signage and point-of-sale, as well as large-format graphics for exhibitions, events, museums and office refits.

Ogle said he had been “blown away” by the quality and reliability of the new printer and such has been the growth of fabric printing since its arrival that it now generates 20% of the 16-staff company’s turnover.

“It’s not just the printer from Agfa that has been impressive, the finance package offered really helped with the decision to move and the experienced engineers made the installation and training enjoyable too,” he added.