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Format Graphics has become the world’s first company to install an Agfa Jeti Bronco wide-format printer after seeing its public launch at FESPA Global Print Expo
British wide-format sign-maker, Format Graphics, has become the first company in the world to install an Agfa Jeti Bronco H3300 printer.
Agfa’s 3.3m Jeti Bronco hybrid inkjet solution is the latest addition to Agfa's wide-format printer range, price positioned between its Anapurna Hybrid and Jeti Tauro machines. It comes with six-colour print capabilities which includes light cyan and light magenta (CMYKcm) as well as white ink capabilities.
It currently functions with two sets of print heads but can be upgraded to four sets to increase speed as required.
Format Graphics first became a customer of Agfa after purchasing its Avinci CX3200 dye-sublimation printer. The Bronco was purchased to replace its decade-old Vutek hybrid printer.
The Milton Keynes signage company reportedly first became interested in the Bronco after seeing a prototype at the Agfa headquarters in Mortsel, Belgium, in late 2023.
The team at Format Graphics were able to see the machine in action when it was first launched to the public in March of 2024 at FESPA Global Print Expo in Amsterdam.
Baz Ogle, owner and managing director of Format Graphics, says: "Our previous printer was over ten years old, and we had been searching for a replacement for the past few years.
“We considered several brands, including the Agfa Tauro. However, during our visit to FESPA in Amsterdam in March 2024 we saw the launch of the Agfa Bronco and it won us over as it met most of our requirements. We had waited for its release and, two months in, we are really pleased that we did."
Format Graphics was also reportedly impressed with the ease and speed of changeover between sheet and roll, able to be adapted to a wide variety of applications.
As the first of its kind to be installed, the machine will be used as a ‘field trial’ by Agfa for the next three months. Agfa’s research and development team will make weekly calls to the print operator at Format Graphics to gather feedback that will help with future software development for the Bronco.
Unlike the Avinci which the company previously purchased, Format Graphics’ Bronco is operated using Agfa’s Asanti automation workflow. The software is designed to minimise manual interventions and allow much more of the work to be handled at pre-press as opposed to by the print operative.
Format Graphics has highlighted the ease-of-use of the Asanti workflow as it allows for less experienced operatives to be trained in order to help cover holiday shifts.
Neil Turkington, account manager at Format graphics, says: “We didn’t run the Avinci using the Agfa Asanti workflow because we were satisfied with our existing workflow software.
“However, we agreed to use Asanti with this new Bronco engine, and we are really happy with it. Our print manager finds Asanti very easy and intuitive to use.”
Among the other benefits of the Bronco listed by Format graphics, its energy efficiency, print quality, and reliability were highlighted.
Sharon Stratton, general manager of Format Graphics, adds: “Visually, the print quality is better. It’s faster, more reliable, uses less energy, and we are using around 30% less ink, so it’s much more economical. Our staff find it easier to work and we can better service our clients, so we see it as a very positive move forward for Format Graphics.”
