Foster City, Calif. - EFI, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, announced today, just ahead of the opening of the FESPA 2010 in Munich, Germany, the sale of its 80th VUTEk GS Series UV superwide printer to commercial printer Segnobit in Creazzo Vicanza, Italy. Owner Nicola Cracco purchased a VUTEk GS3200 for its photorealistic quality, superwide production speeds and the wide range of applications that it is capable of producing. The VUTEk GS Series printers, which include the 3.2-meter GS3200 hybrid flatbed and roll-to-roll printer and the 5-meter GS5000r roll-to-roll printer, were unveiled by EFI just one year ago.

"We're currently running two VUTEk superwide printers and have been very happy with the level of service from EFI – we have a very strong relationship with the company," said Cracco, owner of Segnobit. "Our company is growing and we decided to step up to a 3.2-meter roll-to-roll and rigid hybrid printer to enter new markets. The quality of the GS3200's output is unbelievable. Digital superwide printers have incredible advantages, and the VUTEk GS3200 is the top of the line. As these printers are becoming faster, more versatile and more economical, the gap between high-volume and digital printing continues to close. Our new ability to economically produce shorter runs with expanded regionalization to a range of non-standard materials – all while carrying lower inventory – makes the GS3200 a sound investment with a brilliant ROI."

By adding the VUTEk GS3200 to their shop, Segnobit will be able to perform shorter runs, more regionalization, as well as print on a wide array of non-standard rigid and flexible materials, all while carrying lower inventory. Because the company is heavily involved in visual communications and advertising, they purchased their GS3200 with EFI's Fiery XF RIP solution to achieve accurate color and reduce lengthy production times. "EFI's innovation and technological advancements provide the tools that businesses like ours need. We're obviously moving in the same direction," added Cracco.

EFI's VUTEk GS3200 complements higher-volume commercial production printers, and is the perfect replacement for multiple wide- and grand-format printers in a single shop. Its versatility expands the reach of superwide printing into new industries and applications with breakthrough speed (up to 2400 square feet/233 square meters per hour) and incredible photorealistic image quality (up to true 1000 dpi) in the same printer. The VUTEk GS3200 exemplifies flexible, versatile production with its ability to transition from rigid to roll-to-roll in less than one minute, its capacity to print on an increasing range of traditional and specialty substrates, and its in-line, three-layer white-printing capability.

In addition to the successful GS3200, the other product in the GS family, EFI's VUTEk GS5000r 5-meter roll-to-roll printer enables digital print providers to efficiently produce applications ranging from exhibition graphics and fine art reproductions to billboards and building wraps with its dual resolution capability. The GS5000r can print in eight colors at true 1000 dpi, or can switch to Fast-4 and print in four colors at speeds up to 3100 square feet (288 square meters) per hour. The flexibility and versatility of this printer makes it ideal for digital print providers who are focused on growing their business by offering more applications and capabilities.

"In addition to the increasing success of the GS Series, so far this year our VUTEk UV ink volume is up 35 percent from last year – a clear sign that VUTEk users are handling more work, winning more market share from their competitors and expanding their businesses," said EFI President Fred Rosenzweig. "Our mission has always been to help printers move from analog to digital workflows, and this percentage increase is evidence of the success of that strategy for our customers and partners."