Installed in October, the P5 HS has helped 3 Sixty cut production times, find more efficient workflows, and increase the firm’s capacity by more than 30% without incurring extra costs, according to Richard Inkin, 3 Sixty’s managing director.
He told Printweek: “It’s been amazing. It’s great quality, very versatile, and gives us exactly what we need.
“As per my brief I gave to Durst, it’s great to have that extra capacity, but we’ve done it to improve efficiencies within the business, I think that’s probably the most critical thing.”
The P5 HS can reach production speeds of up to 708sqm/hr, handling media up to 70mm thick, and boasts a media changeover turnaround of less than a minute.
“It’s allowing us to print at the highest quality, but very quickly, which then gives us the capacity to get it through the factory,” Inkin added.
The new printer has likewise given 3 Sixty new options for its customers, which range from retail and POS to events, exhibitions, and visual merchandising.
“We’ve always been dye-sublimated, but we have some customers that like UV fabric. So this gives us that opportunity to look [at expansion in] that market as well,” Inkin said.
Replacing a Durst P10 250 HS Plus, the P5 HS represents a direct upgrade in both speed and size.
It has joined 3 Sixty’s stable of a Durst Rhotex 325, which prints both direct-to-fabric and transfer paper, and an EFI Vutek GS hybrid, an EFI Vutek h5 hybrid superwide, and an EFI Fabrivu 340i dye-sublimation printer.
Inkin said: “We started looking around at Fespa [in 2023]. We went to look around and take everything in, because after Covid that was probably the first real show with everyone back in, and it was a great opportunity to see the different manufacturers.
“In the end we went with Durst because of the quality, the speed, and also the service we get. We’ve had [a relationship with Durst] for six or seven years, so they know us and we know them.”
Peter Bray, managing director of Durst UK & Ireland, said: “3 Sixty’s holistic approach is another prime example of how forward-thinking companies are looking to invest to keep ahead of the curve and further improve efficiencies in an important Drupa year. It also mirrors how the Durst Group, driven by the mantra of innovation, offers complete solutions from pixel to output.
“In a collaborative approach, we support our customers on their own business journey and help them with a vision: to create something new, to inspire and to always ask the next question.”
3 Sixty employs 40 staff at its 2,800sqm factory in Cardiff, turning over around £6m annually.
“We pride ourselves as a speedboat, not a tanker,” said Inkin.
“We’re very flexible, we’re very diverse in what we do.”
