October 2009

Reduced turnaround times for rigid and flexible media via The Fleet Graphics Print-Cut Solution

Dayton, Ohio -  Customers of Fleet Graphics, Inc. a leader in digital print services, can now experience reduced turnaround times for rigid graphics media, which include foam board, plastic, acrylic and styrene, as well as flexible media including paper, film, vinyl and fabric. Fleet Graphics Inc. has introduced a complete digital system that streamlines the workflow from prepress to finishing for these substrates.

Finishing is often the bottleneck in a display graphics digital printing workflow. The overwhelming majority of digital graphics prints require trimming or contour cutting once printing is complete. The Fleet Graphics Print-Cut solution can be used to optimize basic trimming tasks for rigid and flexible media. It can also be used to finish more complex jobs such as contour-cut point-of-purchase displays, production-quantity decals, and structural projects.

The Fleet Graphics Print-Cut System consists of an AXYZ digital cutting & routing table with appropriate tools and software for preparing and interpreting the cutting data, the Fuji Acuity Advance Flatbed UV Press for direct printing on just about any flat rigid or flexible substrate up to 48” x 96”. The Acuity Advance is equipped with CMYK plus “White” UV Inks and a roll to roll attachment for widths up to 85” wide. The Epson GS6000 64” eco-solvent printer featuring an Orange & Green inkset for increased color gamut and Onyx Prep Edge Pro for a streamlined PDF editing workflow.

Step One: Prepress. The artwork -- in PDF format -- is entered into the digital workflow. For contour cut applications, the artwork must include the outline path (vector data).

Step Two: Cutting data preparation and nesting are performed in Prep Edge and I-Cut. Tools are assigned for each curve (kiss-cutting, routing, etc.) and to prepare cutting data. The software automatically generates a print file -- complete with cutting marks and barcode -- and a separate cut file.

Step Three: Process and print. The completed print is ready for cutting.

Step Four: Automated Cutting. The completed print is placed on the digital cutting table. The operator simply scans the registration targets on the print, with the I-Cut software which is linked to a camera mounted on the cutter. By reading the printed cutting marks on the print, I-Cut software positions and aligns the cutting data, and compensates for distortion so the cutting matches the print with 100% accuracy. The finished, cut pieces are ready for delivery with minimal operator intervention, 100% accuracy and reduced turnaround time.

This new Print-Cut System will allow Fleet Graphics Inc. to reduce costs, improve quality, and offer unique and custom products that set them apart from the competition.