Super Signs WA is Australian first to install Océ Arizona

Super Signs WA is a proudly West Australian owned and operated sign company which moves with the times to provide a comprehensive service to the WA market. Recently, the company became the first in Australia to install an Océ Arizona 1360XT, a new-generation flatbed printer that owner Scott MacKinnon says will bring a range of benefits to his customers.

Over its nearly 50-year history, Super Signs has proven its ability to nimbly move with the times. Initially established in Bunbury, the company was founded on providing traditional signwriting services. Today, however, there is not much in signage, display and graphics that the company doesn’t do.

At its base in Balcatta, the company houses some of the world’s best commercial printing technology, as well as flatbed routers, two roll-to-roll digital printers, a metal fabrication workshop, acrylic fabrication, sandblasting and painting booths. As a result, Scott says Super Signs is able to provide custom solutions for just about any signage requirement, from fabricated acrylic signs, to aluminium composite panels and signage, LED illuminated signs and digital screens, Neon signs, pylon and 3D sky signs, large format printing and banners, window films and graphics.

Recently, the company identified a gap in its production capacity, and set about looking for a flatbed printer that would enable them to handle a broader range of applications – and their research led them straight to the new Arizona 1360XT.

“When you’re making such a significant investment it’s really important to investigate all the options carefully,” Scott says, “and once we did so, we identified some obvious advantages that the Arizona could deliver to our business.“This included substantial increases in our production volume and efficiencies within our digital printing capabilities – and the ability to print directly onto a wide variety of substrates was also obviously a key factor in this decision.”

Océ is a key innovation centre for Canon, global leaders in consumer and professional imaging, and the 1300 range is the culmination of more than a decade of R&D and flatbed development. Released around the globe last year, the range was designed in response to dual market challenges – the need for businesses to boost productivity and to open up new market opportunities by diversifying their applications portfolios.

With a flatbed area of 2.5m x 3.08m, the Arizona 1360XT can not only handle a much wider range of materials than similar flatbeds – think anything from wood and glass, to canvas and tiles – but features LED curing which cuts production time and allows businesses to meet the needs of even the most sensitive markets by using LED-UV ‘Greenguard certified’ inks. Advantages like Arizona Xpert job preparation software further contributes to the printer’s ability to help businesses operate smarter, faster and more cost-effectively.

The range also takes advantage of Océ’s new Touchstone technology, which opens up even more opportunities with ‘2.5D’ dimensional print, allowing for raised and textured surfaces.

“All in all, we could see that the Arizona was a perfect fit for our core business, and an ideal complement to our existing print infrastructure,” Scott says.

Since installation, the machine has more than lived up to the hype, with Scott saying its implementation into Super Signs’ workflow has delivered an immediate reduction in both materials’ consumption and labour inputs, compared with its existing production infrastructure.

“The printing capabilities we now have with the Arizona open the door to new market opportunities, ensuring we have plenty of new avenues to pursue to guarantee the future growth of our business,” he says. “For example, we’re already using Océ Touchstone software in conjunction with the new printer to supply other signage companies with braille and tactile signs, and can see the opportunity to utilise the 2.5D dimensional print in many applications in future.”

Of course, equipment is only part of the equation – you also need the right people to achieve excellence on such a broad range of products, and Scott says he’s fortunate to have a great team,  not only within the company, but also from his suppliers. “Our vision is to ensure our business continues to grow and thrive, becoming a trusted market leader in the provision of quality signage products and services,” he explains. “Quality, safety and attention to detail are vital at every stage of the process – and that requires not only the best equipment and systems, it has to be backed with the very best people.

“We are lucky have a team of highly skilled signage professionals in all roles across the business, from design, to fabrication and installation, all of whom share our dedication to achieving the highest standards of products and services in the signage market.

“It’s also great to have reliable support from suppliers like Paul Salmon and the team at Océ Australia. Their local Perth-based service and support infrastructure were a key factor in giving us the confidence to proceed with this investment. And we’re delighted with how it’s turned out.”