Oakley Signs & Graphics Installs Three Fujifilm Acuity Advance HS X2 Flatbed Inkjet Printers

HANOVER PARK, IL—March 27, 2014—A family-owned company since 1972, Oakley Signs & Graphics is continuing to stay ahead of the competition by recently installing three Fujifilm Acuity Advance HS X2 flatbed printers, experiencing a remarkable increase in production. A Des Plaines, IL-based print company specializing in real estate yard signs and political signs, Oakley has achieved success as a nationally approved sign supplier to more national real estate franchises than any other sign company in North America.

“We cater to real estate offices, including independents and national franchisees,” said Brett Levitt, co-owner, Oakley Signs & Graphics. “The ‘For Sale’ sign in a front yard is a realtor’s number one marketing tool.”

Recently, Levitt reviewed the cost analysis of maintaining their screen print shop, and the need to move to a wide-format workflow was quite apparent.

In September of 2013, Levitt added his first Acuity HS X2, and not quite three months later, in November, he added two more HS X2’s.

“We conducted a pretty exhaustive search of options, and our decision came down to a few things, quality of print and service,” said Levitt. “Once we saw the Acuity HS X2 performing better than the others, our minds were made up. We can’t afford downtime, and the quality had to be there, and when we compared the others to the HS X2, the quality is better (on the HS X2).”

Most projects at Oakley Signs & Graphics are double-sided and the need for speed and efficiency was critical to this high-volume printer.

The Acuity Advance HS X2 inkjet printer offers the highest quality output in a wide-format UV digital press with a print area over 8x10'. The X2 is designed for print applications on oversized substrate or those who want maximum productivity by running two 4x8' boards.

“There is another company that offers the two-bed solution, and I nearly went that route. But what led me to purchase three Acuity’s is the service we receive from Fujifilm, and my comfort level with Fujifilm,” noted Levitt. “The service and quality we receive (from Fujifilm) played a big part in our decision. Fujifilm has always stuck by us, and we stick with Fujifilm.”

Initially, Levitt was surprised by the ease of use of the Acuity HS X2. “They need very little daily maintenance, consequently the HS X2 as made us more efficient in what we do. We are able to get better output simply because it’s easy to use and were able to use the double bed, which is a stand-out feature, along with the quality.”

Levitt added: “With the three HS X2’s, it’s like having automation without having automation; this meets our needs due to the sizes of substrates we work with daily (and how we tile things). I like having more production time with the double beds, and that equals more print time. If the head is moving, I’m getting double the finished product.”

Levitt continued: “The color consistency between the three Acuity printers is impressive. Since our three Acuity’s moved in, we haven’t talked about down time. With the HS X2’s we are getting a huge increase in production as a direct result of the double bed. Production doesn’t stop, virtually no down time. I will be very hard-pressed to go to a machine that does not have this double bed feature,” concluded Levitt.

About the Acuity Advance HS X2
The dual bed Acuity Advance HS X2 inkjet printer allows for high-quality non-stop production. The HS X2 is designed for print applications on oversized substrate or those who want to increase productivity by running two 4x8’ boards. The double-size print bed has dual registration points enabling the operator to set-up on the first bed while printing on the second bed for maximum uninterrupted throughput. The express mode on the HS X2 offers prints at nearly 700 ft2/hr. Like the rest of the Acuity inkjet printer series, the HS X2 delivers the same high quality on both rigid and flexible substrates, unmatched by any other flatbed printer.

About Fujifilm
Fujifilm North America, a marketing subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings America consists of four operating divisions and one subsidiary company. The Imaging Division provides consumer and commercial photographic products and services, including: photographic paper; digital printing equipment, along with service and support; personalized photo products; film; and one-time-use cameras; and also markets motion picture archival film and on-set color management solutions to the motion picture, broadcast and production industries. The Electronic Imaging Division markets consumer digital cameras, and the Graphic Systems Division supplies products and services to the graphic printing industry. The Optical Devices Division provides optical lenses for the broadcast, cinematography, closed circuit television, videography and industrial markets, and also markets binoculars. FUJIFILM Canada Inc. sells and markets a range of Fujifilm products and services in Canada.

Fujifilm Holdings, Tokyo, Japan, brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, digital printing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company was among the top 10 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2012, and in the year ended March 31, 2013, had global revenues of $26.7 billion*. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship.

* At an exchange rate of 83 yen to the dollar.

Source: Fujifilm.