FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Filmet is world's first to install a second VUTEk® PressVu® UV 180/600 EC

Filmet Color Laboratories Inc, Pittsburgh, PA, has become the first company in the world to install a second VUTEk® PressVu® UV 180/600 EC flatbed printer. This follows tremendous success with its first PressVu® UV 180/600 EC, bought in March 2002.

Attracting new work from all over the United States, Filmet's second flatbed VUTEk® printer has enabled the company to take on more work without compromising speed and quality while significantly reducing production costs.

Rick Bachelder, a Filmet partner, comments, 'When considering the purchase of our first flatbed printer, we found that the PressVU® UV 180/600 EC was streets ahead of the competition. A year on, and there is still no other flatbed on the market that is as quick, or produces as high quality graphics. Having been so impressed with our first PressVu® UV, it was only natural to purchase a second - this has given us a huge competitive advantage.'

In the last two years, Filmet has seen a big change in the way it prints graphics for customers. Formerly 90% of its work was produced photographically, today 95% is printed using its VUTEk® inkjet printers.

Rick continues, 'With our expanded services, our goal is to continue to penetrate new markets with our flatbed/flexible printers. Having enjoyed a good relationship with VUTEk® in the past, we knew that we would get the best training and support from them and could attack these markets with confidence and peace of mind.'

Filmet is already experiencing the benefits of its second PressVu® UV. On average, each VUTEk® printer works 80 hours a week, printing direct to a variety of flexible substrates, as well as onto rigid board and unusual materials such as wood. Filmet also claims that because of its two PressVu® UVs high print speed, it has been able to significantly reduce production costs.

Speed of delivery is an important element of Filmet's service, and an area where its new PressVu® UV has really added value. For example, the day before opening their doors to the public, two new department stores in Maryland suddenly realized that no signage had been printed for either shop. Within four hours, Filmet had printed point-of-sale banners, in-store signage and other promotional materials. Nearly 80 signs were shipped that night and installed in time for the grand openings.

Rick continues, 'We printed the department store graphics directly onto the final cardboard and filmcore substrates. Using both PressVu® UV's we were able to complete the job in half the time it would have taken us before. Thanks to VUTEk®, we can now print and ship up to 200 signs a day while still offering the best quality graphics around.'

In 1910, Rick's Grandfather launched Filmet as a portrait studio. Employing over 100 people, the company now has two main business departments - a smaller wedding portrait section and an ever-growing press and print division.

The increase in digital work has had such an impact on the company that Filmet recently moved to bigger premises and are now situated right by an airport, with an extra 6,134 sq m of space. Expansion of the company has also meant Filmet can progress customer service and save further time, by flying its own plane to client meetings.

Rick concludes, 'We are very excited about the future. Having traditionally worked for regional customers, our new service capabilities now attract work from all over America. Over the next few years we plan to grow the company, and believe VUTEk® can help us do this. I'm sure that it won't be long until we have three or four more VUTEk® printers.'

About VUTEk® Inc.

Founded in 1988, American manufacturer, VUTEk® Inc., is the leading worldwide supplier of superwide format inkjet printers to the graphic arts market. VUTEk® pioneered superwide format printers, and sets the standard for superwide/grand format and specialty printing, using inkjet technology for out-of-home advertising applications including billboards, fleet graphics, banners, bus shelters, point-of-purchase displays and posters. Its current product portfolio includes the UltraVu® product range, for high quality, high speed superwide flexible printing in 1.5-, 2-, 3-, and 5-meter formats; and its PressVu® family of digital inkjet flatbed printers, capable of printing on both rigid and flexible substrates.

All trademarks noted herein are either the property of VUTEk® Inc. or their respective companies.

Vutek, Inc.
One VUTEk Place
Meredith, NH 03253
Phone: 603-279-4635
Fax: 603-279-6411
E-Mail: jcedrone@vutek.com
Website URL: www.vutek.com