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VUTEk UltraVu II 3360 from EFI Used to Print Open-top Bus Graphics for Parisian Star Wars Premiere

Press release from the issuing company

Meredith, N.H. (March 10th, 2006) - Belgian large format specialist, Schmitz Digital Printing, has used the high speed and high image quality capabilities of its recently installed VUTEk UltraVu II 3360 from EFI, to print graphics used to wrap an open-top bus for the French premiere of the latest Star Wars movie, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. As part of the marketing campaign to promote the film's French premiere, in November 2005, the VUTEk wrapped bus was used to drive the film's principal actors to the Rex Cinema in Paris. With 3000 people lining the streets, it was imperative that the Schmitz graphics were not only accurate, but that they matched all other marketing material and did justice to the latest edition of the cult film series. Bruno Schmitz, managing director, comments, "In order to reflect the somber, dark atmosphere of the film, we had to get the colors just right for this job. What's more, as the actors were due to stand close to their printed images, it would have been immediately obvious if colors were not accurate or the printed resolution was poor. To solve this, we used the high-resolution capabilities of our VUTEk UltraVu II 3360 and its eight-colors to match the artwork exactly." "The UltraVu II 3360 was perfect for the job. It not only enabled us to meet the customer's color and print quality standards, but also produce the graphics very quickly." Due to a tight deadline and the high profile nature of the project, print speed and quality were of equal importance to the success of the Star Wars job. As the hired double-decker public bus could only be spared for two days, Schmitz had to work very quickly to ensure that it was finished in time for the premiere. However, once the artwork was received and the vehicle on site, Schmitz was able to use its UltraVu II 3360 to complete the job in half a day. Using precise templates, it then spent a day and a half cutting out the 46 individual pieces and adhering them to the bus. Fully wrapping the vehicle's bodywork from floor to ceiling, the bus was transformed in record time. Schmitz continues, "The client was delighted with the finished result, enjoying considerable media coverage for the film's French premiere and maximizing cinema ticket sales. For us, the success of the job was in no small part due to our new UltraVu II 3360." Schmitz Digital Printing was established in 1988 as a traditional screen printer. In 1998, the company moved into large format digital printing, specializing in fleet graphics and offering a variety of additional superwide applications. With the success of advertising used on French and Belgian public transport and commercial road vehicles, Schmitz recognized huge market potential for its services. In June 2005, Schmitz installed a VUTEk UltraVu II 3360 to grow its business and maximize sales for fleet graphic printing. According to Bruno Schmitz, the company has not looked back since. Schmitz concludes, "I can honestly say that the VUTEk UltraVu II 3360 has not only met, but exceeded all our expectations for print quality, productivity, reliability and consistency. We believe that no other three-meter product on the market provides the same, comprehensive benefit package."

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