Meredith, N.H. (22 February, 2006) - Leeds-based, digital printing specialist Quarmby Colour Studio Limited has used the high resolution and diverse substrate printing capabilities of its recently installed VUTEk PressVu UV 200/600 from EFI, to produce backdrops for the hit UK TV show, “Heartbeat.” Utilizing the benefits of its new rigid and flexible printer, Quarmby Colour is now able to expand its business and services to customers, by increasing print quality for existing products and by broadening its product portfolio. Damian Quarmby, their digital printing specialist, comments, “The brief for the ‘Heartbeat’ job was to print two large photorealistic backdrops, displaying outdoor scenes. The backdrops were used to replicate the view, as seen from the windows of a residential building in rural North Yorkshire. They provided the production company with the flexibility to enjoy the time and money savings of filming scenes at its city based, indoor studio in Leeds.” Taking only half a day to print the job, the two 25ft and 35ft backdrops were printed in 5ft wide panels, adhered with strong tape, safety stitched and then hemmed before installation. While PVC is traditionally used for exhibition and theatre backdrops, the decision was made to print on canvas to reduce the reflection from lights used in TV production. Quarmby continues, “In order to achieve the same high quality print on canvas, we used the PressVu UV’s 600 dpi capability and ultra violet process, to hold the color and replicate the detail and tones of the original photos. In addition, the vibrancy of VUTEk’s ink ensured that we could put the punch back into the print, often a problem using this substrate. We really don’t think we could have pulled this off using any other competitive printer.” Established in 1994, Quarmby’s installation of a VUTEk printer, in July 2005, is enabling the display graphics company to win work for jobs requiring high quality print for close-up viewing. Typical applications include indoor and outdoor banners and retail POP. The quality and flexibility, provided by Quarmby’s new flatbed digital capability, was also instrumental in winning work for 600 square meters of POP graphics for Ideal Standard, the UK-based bathroom specialist. Previous POP display boards for the company’s range of showers had been screen printed on chipboard. Not only was this process expensive, but it also required substantial finishing and additional substrate maintenance once installed. Quarmby continues, “We convinced Ideal Standard to convert to digital printing for this job, by offering to increase the print quality and durability of their graphics, and save them money.” Quarmby achieved this by using its PressVu UV to print directly to 35cm x 140cm, 13mm thick PVC board. Unlike chipboard, PVC boards have no rough edges to hide with rubber trims, which would often fall off and need replacing. In addition to this, Quarmby’s VUTEk UV ink also offered superior resistance to scratching and wear, providing improved print resolution for the job. Ideal Standard was very pleased with the graphics, and has since commissioned Quarmby to print further work. Damian Quarmby concludes, “We are extremely impressed with our new VUTEk PressVu UV 200/600 - it knocks the spots off all the other large format products on the market. It is not only meeting our expectations for current production requirements, but it also provides the technology capabilities for significant future growth.”