Dome Printing, one of Northern California's leading independent commercial offset print businesses, is attracting new customers with its equipment investment - clients that did not purchase offset before but had specialised superwide-format signage and graphics needs. Many of the company's existing customers are also taking advantage of Dome Printing's new inkjet capabilities, expanding their current print marketing efforts to include superwide-format graphics applications. In those scenarios, the high-quality imaging available with EFI VUTEk equipment and the EFI Fiery? proServers Dome Printing also installed with its new inkjet devices ensure accurate colour matching between offset and inkjet print jobs.

The company, a long-time user of EFI's MIS workflow software products, is effectively and efficiently expanding its business offerings with its new VUTEk purchases. Both machines are hybrid format devices that can print work on rigid substrates as well as banners, billboards and other graphics printed on flexible roll media.

"The white ink printing capabilities on our new VUTEk equipment was important, but the real deciding factors were the hybrid flatbed/roll-to-roll capabilities and the fast throughput," said Bob Poole, Dome Printing's co-owner. "The quality is exceptional, especially with the EFI Fiery proServer and its superior colour management capabilities."

Inkjet graphics growing 'by leaps and bounds'

Founded by Ray Poole in 1969, Dome Printing offers everything from creative services and digital printing to fulfilment and integrated business solutions, including custom client storefront solutions. Ray's sons Tim and Bob Poole have now restructured and built a next-generation business since purchasing the company from their parents in 2004.

"We grew 20% last year and expect that same level of growth this year," said Tim Poole, who is Dome Printing's CEO. "Part of that is attributable to the technology solutions we offer customers, but we are seeing the VUTEk business growing by leaps and bounds as well."

Installation of the new printers and their colour calibration went quickly. "We were already running a huge retail package on our VUTEk GS3250LX Pro the first week it was in our shop," Bob Poole said, "and it went off without a hitch. We could hardly wait to get our hands on the HS100 Pro the following week. We already needed the capacity!"

Prior to the installation, many of the company's local clients had to go to Southern California or out of the state to get the type of large-format printing they were seeking. "By adding that service to our mix," Bob Poole stated, "we are able to bring that business into the Northern California economy."

"We are very pleased that Dome Printing chose EFI as the partner it can rely on to get this exciting new business launched," said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president, worldwide sales and marketing, EFI. "Dome Printing's clients will benefit from the superior versatility, quality and productivity these two EFI VUTEk products offer."

Powerful print solutions for roll and flatbed graphics

Both of Dome Printing's new VUTEk investments feature true, variable-drop greyscale imaging for higher image quality and accurate spot-colour matching. They also offer opaque white ink and a unique, multilayer printing capability for high-end visual appeal on backlit displays and other applications.

Operating at speeds up to 100 boards per hour, the EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro press gives Dome Printing a more-cost effective option to produce a wide variety of medium-run graphics jobs. The digital UV inkjet press represents a true alternative to analogue equipment, offering throughput comparable to screen printing with print quality that approaches offset. The press features EFI's Pin & Cure imaging technology, which offers precise ink lay-down, gloss control and greater imaging accuracy.

The EFI VUTEk GS3250LX Pro is a production-level LED inkjet hybrid printer. Its "cool cure" LED curing technology lowers operating costs and provides a greener alternative for graphics printing, with significantly less energy consumption and virtually no VOCs. LED also gives the VUTEk GS3250LX Pro the ability to print on heat-sensitive and less-expensive lightweight media that cannot withstand the heat of other drying or curing methods.

Complementing its installation of new EFI VUTEk printing equipment, Dome Printing also acquired an Esko cutting table for finishing flatbed-printed graphics jobs.