Appleton Signs moves and makes space for second Inca Spyder 320

Appleton Signs has bought a second four-color Inca Digital Spyder 320 just five months after the first was installed. The company believes this investment in Inca flatbed inkjet technology has already saved it 100,000 in the cost of materials.

The popular Spyder 320 is Inca's best-selling printer to date and prints up to a maximum speed of 80gsm/hr using the smallest drop size on a commercial flatbed product today.

Originally a signmaker, the company branched into screenprinting and then into inkjet, and has bought many makes of machine over the years. But production director Luke Appleton says the reliability and color match possible with the Spyder 320, has been convincing.

‘When we started to look for a new flatbed we needed a particular color match and the profiles were there on the Spyder so we went with it. The only problem we have had to date is with finishing keeping up with the amount of product it outputs,’ said Mr Appleton.

‘We love the durability of the Spyder and have found it ideal for both medium and short runs. The Spyders have allowed us to handle one off signs for some customers and point of sale material for others. For one garden center we work for, we can handle anything from a one off A3 sign, up to 500 to 600 promotional boards in rigid PVC.’

The Spyders are part of a 1.5m spend by the Southampton, UK, company, which this year moved from 15,000 sq ft to 30,000 sq ft leasehold premises, as well as buying direct to screen and screen washing facilities and a Thieme multi-color screen printing line.