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When Brad Adamic, art director at West Coast Customs, got a call from their client that they needed to wrap four huge RVs in time for the 2007 X-Games, he didn't panic but did sweat a little bit. "We had to get the graphics printed and then installed in a matter of few days so they would be ready in time for the X-Games being held in LA," said Adamic.
The Corona, CA-based shop turned to their Mutoh ValueJet 1604 to help them get the job done in a pinch. "We used the ValueJet 1604 exclusively for the 2007 X-Games project. We had to produce and install four RV wraps for our client Rock Star Energy Drink in a few days. If we didn't have a fast printer like this one, we would have been in big trouble. The ValueJet 1604 came though for us big time."
Adamic said they got the files from the client and they set them up in the cue to print overnight. "The unit is perfect for attended printing. It's fool-proof. We produce a lot of big RV wraps so we tend to print those overnite. Once the Rock Star Energy Drink graphics were output, we then installed them on the RVs at our shop and then they drove them to the games being held at the Staples Center with time to spare."
West Coast Customs is a full service facility that employs 35 people and produces a host of products that include vehicle wraps, POP banners, and other types of wide-format signage.
Adamic has been quite pleased with the purchase of the Mutoh printer. "When we were looking to upgrade to a newer model, we had a number of suppliers come in a show us output samples. What tipped the scales in Mutoh's favor was the unit's speed, quality, and Interweaving technology feature."
The ValueJet's I2: Intelligent Interweaving Printing Technique allows for increased print speeds and this is said to virtually eliminate banding, thus, creating exceptional image quality. "It is revolutionary in the piezo printing application world, its increased accuracy and consistency of dot size and dot release during printing improves the image, in addition to increased dot gain control, allowing for more latitude in profile settings. The best part of the equation is it totally eliminates banding," he pointed out.
The ValueJet 1604 utilizes Mutoh's Eco-Ultra inks. Eco-Ultra inks are Mutoh's 3rd generation of eco inks. "The Eco-Ultra inks are awesome! The color matching is dead on," he added.
The printer offers 10 print modes including a 540x720-dpi mode that Adamic reports is "perfect for banners." The 10 print modes allow for a wide range of printing possibilities on a variety of inexpensive, uncoated media.
"Mutoh was very helpful in getting us up to speed when we first got the printer and it has continued through the year. I have been really happy with the service and training. They walked me through everything on their machine," he said.
Adamic added that the ValueJet 1604 has helped grow their vinyl business. "It's opened up a whole new revenue stream for us with a limited investment," he concluded.
author: BY BILL SCHIFFNER