Image Options, EFI Partner for Latest Round of Superwide-format Print Technology Advancements

Image Options said it has updated its production graphics offering by installing four new EFI™ VUTEk® superwide-format printers from Electronics For Imaging, Inc.  The acquisitions include a VUTEk FabriVU® 340 3.4-meter printer and a VUTEk FabriVU 520 5.2-meter printer for soft signage production, as well as two VUTEk HS125 Pro hybrid roll/flatbed high-speed inkjet presses.
 
Founded in 1999, Image Options said it generates $25 million in annual sales with 114 employees in a 24/7 operation.
 
“EFI has been a valued partner since the inception of our business,” said Brian Hite, Image Options’ president. “Over the years, we have had a great partnership with EFI, and while we do keep our eye on market developments, we are very happy to stay with the VUTEk portfolio. Our customers are very loyal, too; most of them have been with us for 16 to 18 years, which is pretty unusual in this business.” Hite reported that over its history, the company has owned 15 to 20 EFI VUTEk printers. “They have always met our needs and helped our company grow.

 “We produce graphics for all of the conference exhibit halls as well as hotels, outdoor venues, and ad spaces,” Hite continued. “This includes soft signage, out-of-home graphics and exhibit signage. The projects all require large production capacity, speed and exceptional quality.”
 
Image Options said it achieves greater consistency across all its EFI printers using EFI Fiery® digital front ends. As a G7 Master Certified firm, Image Options said it depends on the Fiery DFEs and its VUTEk printers’ high-quality capabilities to meet stringent color requirements.
 
“We have a client where true, consistent color is critical and our EFI printers can hit their specific brand color perfectly,” said Hite. “We completed a showcase for that client that included a sample store set-up with lots of rolls of fabric-tensioned work, as well as printed boxes for demo displays of products. Our fleet of EFI VUTEk and FabriVU printers gave us the required versatility to meet all of those needs.”
 
Currently, the company said it is moving to the latest version of EFI’s Midmarket Print Suite workflow, which includes EFI Pace™ as its core MIS/ERP software. The workflow also includes an upgraded Superwide Format component database for easier estimating, planning and management of graphics jobs. Plus, the workflow will provide Image Options easier estimating, planning and management capabilities across the company’s operation.
 
“We are a lean organization with Six Sigma yellow, green and black belt employees tasked with continually improving efficiency,” said Hite. “We operate an integrated workflow that includes our Fiery DFEs, EFI’s Digital StoreFront and EFI Pace. This allows us to do a better job at shop floor data collection and improved accounting functions. It will also replace some multi-step processes around exporting data and creating reports.”
 
Beyond the benefits it gets from EFI technology, Image Options has cultural alignment with EFI in terms of sustainability and community involvement. Among other community initiatives, Image Options participates in the Trash for Teachers program, giving the largest off-cuts of vinyl to teachers for use in classrooms. The company also supports Ed and Bernie Massey with their Portraits of Hope initiative, using art and poignant visual imagery for large-scale projects of social consequence. EFI supports the work as well, donating the ink Image Options uses to produce work for the Massey project.
 
“Environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and SGP Certification are core to our corporate culture,” Hite said. “We see those same values reflected in EFI, and that is important to us in a business partner.”
 
EFI is highlighting its advanced technologies for superwide-format production applications, including the VUTEk FabriVU 340 soft signage printer, the Fiery proServer and the EFI Midmarket Print Suite next month at the SGIA Expo, Oct. 10-14 in New Orleans.





Pictured: EFI VUTEk FabriVU/Courtesy EFI