FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2003
esp use UltraVu® 5300 to print vehicle graphics for John Guest
UK-based esp technologies group ltd. has used its five-meter VUTEk® UltraVu® 5300 to print curtains and rear door graphics for a fleet of delivery lorries for the world leader in push-in fittings, pipe and plastic plumbing systems, John Guest Ltd. Utilizing the UltraVu® 5300’s high quality benefits, photographic images of hands holding inter connecting pipes have been seen all across the UK, marketing John Guests products to a broad audience.
Carl Gray, Graphic Design Manager at John Guest, comments, ‘Our previous lorries just featured the John Guest logo on a white background, and weren’t very memorable or inspiring. But following our work with esp, they now have full color images adorning their curtains and rear doors, updating the image of the company and creating stunning graphics that people remember and comment on. They are literally moving billboards.’
Having printed and installed the graphics for three articulated lorry trailers and four smaller vehicles, esp worked in partnership with Lawrence David Limited John Guests trailer supplier. Following discussions with Lawrence David and John Guest on color, layout and on press proofing at esp’s production facility, with esp’s UltraVu® 5300 and in-house expertise, Lawrence David was confident of achieving a high quality result for its client.
The fitting of the Lawrence David air tensioned buckle free curtain suitably enhanced the full visual potential of the full color graphics. This system gives the additional benefit of making the full vehicle side available, free from the obstruction of conventional curtain hardware.
Commenting on the John Guest job, Paul Light, esp’s Sales Director said, ‘The UltraVu® 5300 was perfect for this job. Utilizing its high resolution capability, we were able to print the smooth skin tones necessary to make the graphics really stand out on the road. Other printers often struggle to reproduce skin tones accurately, but they are not a problem with the UltraVu® 5300.’
Carl Gray continues, ‘The esp printed graphics turned out really well. The feedback we have received from customers and people on the road has been phenomenal and, despite our initial reluctance to change the liveries, we quickly gained the confidence to produce additional graphics for all our other vehicles.
‘We were lucky enough to have our products used on various DIY television programs, which created some great nationwide awareness. Because of this, we decided to increase our marketing and take advantage of the roll of publicity. So when designing the truck graphics, we wanted to create something that would be eye catching and show off the company to its full potential.’
In contrast to the rear door graphics, it was decided that the curtain images would be printed directly to the 900gsm Mehler Haku 8556 PVC curtain material, to generate the best possible image quality. Ensuring longevity of the bright and complex graphics, the truck PVC was then treated with a heavy-duty protective coating called the ‘Integrated Graphics Protection System’ - the only warranty program of its type to be supported by three major international corporations. All rear door images were printed on Avery Dennison self-adhesive vinyl, and applied by hand.
esp’s first digital printer, the VUTEk® UltraVu® 5300, was installed at its Aylesford, Kent, facility in June 2000. Following the success of this product, esp expanded its large format capability in December 2001, with the installation of the world’s first VUTEk® PressVu® UV 180/600 EC, enabling esp to stay ahead of its competitors.
Paul Light concludes, ‘We are continually amazed by the high quality of print produced by our VUTEk® printers. The Lawrence David/John Guest job went really well. We get the biggest kick from exceeding customer expectations and producing applications that really make a difference to their business.’
VUTEk
One Vutek Place
Meredith, NH 03253
Phone: 603-279-4635
Fax:
E-Mail: info@vutek.com
Website URL: www.vutek.com
