Wide Format Imaging

For more than 50 years, Fleet Graphics Inc. has built a solid reputation for delivering outstanding graphic design, production and pre-press results in an ever-changing industry. Today, the Kettering, OH-based output provider is a one-stop shop that offers digital solutions that encompass a vast realm of graphic, wide-format, photo, on-demand, proofing, publishing, presentation and printing needs.

"We provide all types of output applications for a wide array of clients across the country," says Scott Waggoner, president of Fleet Graphics Inc. "Last year we were looking to expand out our services into the UV flatbed market and we wanted to add a true flatbed printer. In today's market, you need to print direct to substrate to stay competitive. We wanted a printer that offered exception quality at a price point we could afford. We already use Fujifilm plate setters, proofers and films, so it was a natural choice to look at the Acuity HD 2504. What really what set the Acuity apart from the rest was the resolution and quality at an affordable price point," he points out.

Waggoner says that they do a large amount of work in the prototyping market producing packaging and cartons for clients. "When we were first looking at different printers on the market, we did some tests with some of the suppliers. We had them run test prints on various models. We had this packaging file from one of our clients and we had Fujifilm output it on the Acuity. We took the output back to our client and they right really liked the quality. That basically nailed down the sale for us," says Waggoner.

Fleet Graphic had the distinction of having the first Acuity HD 2504 installed in Ohio. "It's been in the shop for about and year and now we can print on almost anything," says Waggoner.

"The Acuity flatbed printer can print onto rigid media up to eight feet by four feet and up to almost two inches thick," he adds. By eliminating the necessity of laminating and mounting printed graphics, Fleet was able to provide its clients faster turnaround at lower costs.

"The Acuity's VariaDot imaging technology produces sharp, crisp type, line work, smooth skin tones and solid colors like no other printer in its class. Photographs look great on it They really pop. Output from the Acuity HD 2540 easily compares to conventional print resolutions of 1,440 dpi or higher. The 1,440 dpi really does the job. The quality is phenomenal; our clients are more about quality than speed. The four-color UV ink system provides for instant curing while printing and delivers two-year outdoor durability without lamination. The quality truly has to be seen to be believed," reports Waggoner.

He says that they are doing a wide range of jobs on it. "It's been our busiest machine. We are printing on poster board, carton stock, translucent styrene for back lit, glass cloth, wood...you name it, we've printed on it. Printing from substrate to substrate has been very consistent. The Acuity is a true flatbed press with a vacuum table and we could use that in outputting back-lit material. It's been a very versatile machine for us. It's allowed us to get jobs from clients that we haven't gotten in the past."