Digital Plus installs UK’s first Anapurna M3200i RTR

Large-format printer Digital Plus has become the first company in the UK to install Agfa’s Anapurna M3200i RTR with Asanti workflow.

The machine, which can output at speeds of up to 123sqm/hr, was installed at the Leeds-based firm’s 929sqm premises in October.

The company’s directors first saw the machine at Fespa Digital in Munich in May and were impressed with its quality and speed.

“We hadn’t realised how far Agfa had come in display graphics. The other machines we looked at were either too expensive, too slow or the quality was not to the standard we required. The Anapurna M3200i is very competitively priced to enable us to achieve a good return on our investment,” said director Chris Stringwell.

“It’s also very good for fabric printing, which we think is going to be a growing market. Without going for a dedicated fabric printer, it was a good hybrid for us to get into that area. It’s been absolutely brilliant so far; it’s speeded up our production and we’re handling so much more work now.”

The M3200i is the company’s first Agfa purchase. It also runs two Canon flatbed printers and Roland DG and HP wide-format equipment as well as a Zünd cutter and a Graphtec vinyl plotter.

Director Owen Russell said: “With the Anapurna M3200i we took up the dual-roll option, which enables us to print two 1.5m rolls simultaneously. We also considered going down the latex route but the productivity cannot match UV.

“The image quality of the printer is fantastic and very durable despite a very thin layer of ink. In fact, Agfa inks are the best we have used. You can crunch up a sheet of printed material and there’s no sign of the ink cracking or flaking. Over the coming months we are also very keen to maximise the potential of Agfa’s Asanti workflow.”

Digital Plus, which was established in 1999 and has 20 staff, provides a complete imaging and nationwide survey and installation service.

It produces a range of indoor and outdoor display work for clients in the beauty and fashion markets as well as building societies, utility companies, property developers, shopping centres, travel companies, museums and local authorities.