The device, which was debuted at Fespa Global Print Expo in Amsterdam back in March, is a 3.2m-wide CMYK/Lc/Lm plus white machine that can print at up to 209sqm/hr.
Its continuous board feeding capacity enables efficient printing on rigid materials, at up to four boards simultaneously.
Corby, Northants-based Riverside Printers took delivery of the machine at its 780sqm site earlier this month. It was purchased through Kettering-based supplier i-Sub Digital.
Riverside Printers will use the new Agfa for rigid and flexible materials such as signage and wallcoverings.
Director Duncan Raison told Printweek: “The Agfa was chosen due to the speed, quality, and range of materials it can handle, plus it allows us to print up to 3.2m wide now.
“We could previously produce rigid material on our existing flatbed up to 3m, but not roll-to-roll work; the Agfa gives us more flexibility.”
Raison made the decision to purchase the machine after seeing it at an Agfa open day in Antwerp.
He added: “I chose the Agfa over other competitors mainly due to the low ink coverage and high quality at production speed; it’s a much flatter print than other machines I considered. Also, the six colours plus white will give us a wider colour gamut.
“Training and installation has been very good, we cannot fault Agfa so far.”
The Anapurna Ciervo H3200 has replaced a Fujifilm Acuity flatbed printer, and has joined two recently installed Canon digital printers – an imagePress V1350 and an imagePress V1000 – both of which went in at the Corby site in October.
The Agfa printer cost the business £190,000 and completed an investment round that has totalled around £600,000, also including the two Canon printers and a Morgana rotary die-cutter that was installed in the late summer to help service existing die-cutting work.
The company also runs Heidelberg kit including an SM 52, a GTO, a Cylinder, and a platen, a Canon Colorado 1650 roll-to-roll printer and a Mimaki roll-to-roll printer, a Saroglia hot foiling machine as well as a Duplo bookletmaker, plus laminators and guillotines.
17-staff Riverside Printers is on track for £2.5m turnover this year. The business serves a wide range of customers across various sectors, including food, retail, and the NHS.
In 2021, Riverside Printers acquired screen and wide-format specialist Action Screen Process to expand its service offering.
