Print Shop Expands Operations with Upgraded Wide Format Printer

Project Overview

GAM Graphics and Marketing (GAM), a family-owned print shop based in Sterling, Virginia, turned to Meridian to help them identify and install a new wide format printer that could meet increasing customer demands for faster turnarounds.

“I haven’t been this excited about a new product in years. The ability to combine speed, quality, and productivity is a home run for our sign business, and the AccurioWide 250 does all three extremely well!”

- Nathaniel Grant, President, GAM Graphics and Marketing

Challenges

GAM’s existing print fleet, which relied on the AccurioPress C14000 and AccurioPress 6136 digital press, could no longer keep up with customer demands for faster turnarounds. They needed a new wide-format printer that could handle larger jobs with more speed and accuracy. 

GAM also needed a cost-effective solution for printing on a wider range of substrates and printing 4’ by 8’ panels in landscape orientation. 

Solutions

Meridian worked with GAM to identify the Konica Minolta AccurioWide 250 as the perfect solution for their needs and installed it quickly and efficiently. The Konica Minolta AccurioWide 250 is a versatile hybrid UV LED wide format inkjet printer designed to cater to both indoor and outdoor job applications. Here are some of the top features:

• Superb Image Quality: Utilizes Konica Minolta's proprietary KM1024i printhead technology for vibrant and sharp prints up to 1440 dpi. 
• Versatile Printing Capabilities: Print on a wide range of media, including heat-sensitive styrene, exhibition panels, foils, industrial film, and more.
• Energy-Saving Technology: UV LED lamps offer significant energy, time, and cost savings, with a longer lifespan than traditional lamps.
• Automatic Media Thickness Detector: Automatically adjusts for different media thicknesses, enhancing efficiency.

Meridian also installed the Asanti workflow automation solution to complement the new wide-format printer. Asanti is a workflow automation software developed specifically for Konica Minolta AccurioWide printers. Here are some of the top features:

• Color Management Tool: Delivers consistent and predictable colors across different printers and media for high-quality results.
• Automated Preflight Capabilities: Automatically checks and corrects common issues in PDF files to ensure a smooth print process.
• Tiling Feature: Allows large graphics to be split into smaller tiles that can be printed separately and assembled later.
• Integration with Third-Party Applications: Strong integration with other software applications for further productivity enhancements.

Results

The AccurioWide 250 allowed GAM to produce high-quality prints and increase throughput, while the integration of Asanti Workflow Automation Solution enabled them to automate print processes and streamline operations.

This combination of print hardware and software helped GAM achieve its goals of reducing costs, improving quality, and increasing productivity. By adopting the latest printing technology, GAM is now able to print 4’ by 8’ panels with greater productivity and serve its valued customers with faster turnaround times.