FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division is pleased to announce the installation of the Fujifilm Acuity HS X36 wide format flatbed press at Ahearn Signs, a Belleville, Michigan printer focused primarily on signage for car washes, convenience stores, and gas stations. This second Acuity press installation now provides a wider variety of printed signage that has increased business with existing customers in addition to adding new customers because of enhanced capabilities.
As these types of businesses continue to evolve their marketing efforts, unique and eye-catching signage and display materials are a frequent request. As a result of this constant demand, a need arose for a second wide format signage printing solution at Ahearn Signs. The addition of the second Acuity flatbed printer has allowed Ahearn Signs to set themselves apart and ahead of their competition by providing the solutions their customers need in a “one-stop shop” model.
A specific need of Ahearn Signs was to have the ability to easily print on flexible substrates that would be both durable and flexible enough to work inside the car wash tunnels. “The Acuity allows us to be much more efficient from not only a speed perspective, but a cost perspective as well,” said Dominic Ahearn, owner of Ahearn Signs. The signage Ahearn creates also includes decals for point-of-sale displays, gas pump signage, vinyl banners, in-store floor and window decals/clings, all on a variety of substrates and all printed by the Acuity press.
Adding the Acuity HS X36 gave them the opportunity to print directly on 5ft. x 10ft. substrates. Previously they had to print on solvent materials, laminate, and then mount to a substrate. Now, they can print directly to a variety of 5ft. x 10 ft. materials. “Serving the car wash industry, durability, quality and speed are critical in creating printed materials. Our Acuity HS X36 also includes the white print option, which has been in high demand from our customers, and has allowed us to create some really compelling work,” Dominic said.
Dominic chose the Acuity HS X36 wide format flatbed press not only for its convenience and capabilities, but the high quality was an additional main stand-out feature. “I love the simplicity of the machine,” he said. “I love that it’s a true flatbed that can handle edge-to-edge and double-sided printing and substrates of varying sizes with no problem, whether the job is a large exterior sign or a business card. The adhesion is great as well, with no customer concerns with chipping, which shows how durable the signage is that we’re creating on these machines.”
For more than 30 years, Ahearn Signs has utilized Fujifilm’s Acuity line of flatbed presses to expand its client offerings by providing quality signage quickly. “We’re always looking for cost effective ways to meet our customers’ needs while never sacrificing quality,” said Ahearn. “With our new Acuity presses, we were able to offer a wider variety of signage options to our customer base. We have earned several new customers as well who were impressed with the new breadth of capabilities we offer.”
