In an interview with PrintWeek, Quad Express VP J. B. Garcia said, "We're starting to see a lot more interest in grand format than we are in offset." Garcia added that retailers looking for more impactful point-of-purchase displays are helping to drive that trend.

Quad Express, which was established in 1985 and currently employs 40 full-time and part-time workers, already operates a Speedmaster SM 52 five-color press, a pair of Printmaster GTO 52s, and a Heidelberg cylinder letterpress. It also utilizes a Suprasetter A75 Chemfree CTP device and Saphira Chemfree plates, as well as Heidelberg's Prinect Prepress Manager workflow and Prinance MIS solution.

In a statement announcing the install, Garcia noted that while the VUTEk GS3250 is the commercial printer's first foray into digital, he expected it will lead to up to a 20% reduction in production costs as well as better quality control.

The Heidelberg brought the VUTEk GS Series to the US as part of strategy to enable printers go take on higher-margin jobs such as posters, banners, backlit signage, outside displays, as well as specialty fine art reproduction, fabric and upholstery decorating and package prototyping.

"Our aim in adding EFI's VUTEk GS3250 to our portfolio is to support commercial printers like Quad Express in growing their core businesses by enabling them to offer more flexibility to their clients," Dan Maurer, VP, product management digital print and post-press for Heidelberg US said.

"The VUTEk machine delivers superior photorealistic quality, and, in combination with Heidelberg's world-class color-matching expertise, ensures that all products produced for an integrated marketing campaign will achieve the same color consistency. It's a win-win proposition for a forward-thinking printer like Quad Express."

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