Worcester, UK - The Canvas Print Studio was founded as a subsidiary of Interact Repro Services in 2009 by Rafal Sokol and brings its customers’ images and photos to life with the production of the highest quality canvases. 

The Canvas Print Studio creates stretched and rolled canvases, poster prints, giclee prints and Epson Digigraphie prints – all from the original pictures and artwork supplied by its range of customers including professional photographers, the general public and trade customers – primarily via the company’s website -www.thecanvasprintstudio.co.uk.

Quality and efficiency is at the core of everything The Canvas Print Studio does.  In order to maintain the highest quality, longest-lasting output, the company uses branded canvas media, original inks and premium European pine stretcher bars with wooden wedges.  The company also has an impressive, intuitive, on-line ordering system which enables customers to see exactly how their photos will be cropped and what size will work best.

When the company first started out with its Epson aqueous large format printers, the production process meant that each canvas had to be printed, dried and then varnished to achieve long-lasting quality.  However, with the introduction of the new eco-solvent technology, Rafal Sokol realised he could speed up the production process whilst maintaining the very highest quality output.

He explains, “We started looking at the new ranges of eco-solvent printers on the market which would remove the need for time-consuming varnishing without compromising quality and thereby speed up the delivery time to customers.  I contacted Steve Guest at Stanford Marsh Group Graphics (SMGG) and met up with him at Sign & Digital UK 2013 to discuss the various options available in the marketplace.”

SMGG is a reseller of a wide gamut of printing hardware and the associated peripherals and was able to offer independent advice as to the best-fit solution for The Canvas Print Studio’s needs.  After reviewing the various options available, Rafal Sokol decided upon the Epson SureColor  SC70600. 

The Epson SureColor SC70600 roll-to-roll printer can produce everything from exhibition displays, posters, banners, textiles, backlit panels and POS materials to vehicle wraps, wallpaper and labels. It is Epson's first 64-inch (162.6cm) printer to support white and metallic ink simultaneously, enabling creative print makers, specialist sign makers and professional display printers to expand their service portfolios.  The advanced ink formula means prints are lightfast for up to three years outdoors without lamination. 

The printer was installed in May 2013.  The delivery process was entertaining as the printer was carried through to The Print Studio’s premises in one piece - although it had to be turned on its side to get it through the door!

Rafal continues, “It was a bonus that the printer could be delivered in one piece as it meant we were very quickly able to get the printer up and running.  We were printing test prints within an hour or so and the machine was fully operational within 4 hours, after media profiles were created.”

Since installation, the Epson SureColor SC70600 has enabled The Canvas Print Studio to expand its product line and speed up delivery to its customers.  Rafal comments, “The printer enables us to offer new, highly creative end-products to our customers and the end result is truly unique output. Our customers are always coming up with new ideas and our ability to offer white and metallic inks opens up a raft of creative opportunities for all sorts of applications.”

Rafal Sokol is using Epson original inks in the printer.  He says, “The eco-solvent inks from Epson are almost half the price of the aqueous inks we used in our old printer.   Not only are they very cost-effective, they offer greater benefits due to the applications they open up and ultimately lead to greater profitability for our business.  The output created by the inks is also much more stable.”    

The working relationship with SMGG has also been a very positive experience for The Canvas Print Studio.  “As eco-solvent technology was a whole new printing technique for us, we needed someone who we could rely on to be able to recommend and install the right product to meet our needs.  We were reassured by SMGG that the Epson printer would do exactly what we needed it to do - and that has proven to be the case.”

Rafal concludes, “For The Canvas Print Studio, the Epson SureColor SC70600 has ensured that the next day delivery of quality, long lasting prints is now a reality.”