Astek Installs the First Durst Rho P10 320R Printer in North America

VAN NUYS, CA—June 19, 2012—Depending on who you talk to, Astek Inc. is a print shop, a wallpaper distributor, a design firm or something else. But now everyone can agree that this versatile professional imaging company is the first in North America to install the versatile, 10.5-ft., 10-picoliter Durst Rho P10 320R UV inkjet digital roll-to-roll printer.

Astek, the nation’s leading provider of specialty wall coverings, custom design and digital printing for the entertainment industry, retail chains, corporations and leading design agencies, also has acquired a Rho P10 250 UV inkjet digital flatbed printer. Together, these two printing platforms position the company as a premier source for some of the most detailed, demanding images clients can ask for.

“Our clientele spans a variety of different industries including: fashion retail, hospitality, architecture, interior design, motion picture and television, and we work with these companies to tackle challenges from giant murals to POP displays,” Astek President Aaron Kirsch said. “In a competitive environment, we attribute success to diversity in capability, dedication to technology and excellent customer service. These new Rho P10 printers are enabling us to build on that formula, by strengthening our capabilities and performance for our clients, while also improving our operational efficiency.”

Durst Rho P10 Series
The Rho P10 320R and P10 250 are members of Durst’s new Rho P10 Series of printers, designed specifically for producing a wide variety of hand-held and eye-level materials – backlit signage, POP and commercial displays, small packages, etc. – cost-effectively and at production speeds. It features Durst’s new Quadro® Array 10 print heads, employing ground-breaking silicon-based MEMS technology to print high-quality images with up to 1,000-dpi print resolution.

Rho P10 320R establishes a new quality standard for industrial roll-to-roll printing. Precision components developed by Durst include a proprietary magnetic linear drive carriage system for efficient, accurate printing. Image quality is ideally suited for high visibility backlit applications. The Rho P10 32R also prints directly onto textiles and stretch media. Productivity is enhanced by its ability to print two 1.6m rolls of material side by side, with different images on each. The single large roll option allows for uninterrupted operation, with top output speeds of up to 1,615 sq.ft./hr.

Like the Rho P10 320R, the Rho P10 250 output displays the finest color graduations and virtually perfect color reproduction, while maintaining high levels of cost-efficiency and flexibility. The added ability to print light cyan and light magenta further enhances its image quality and range. The Rho P10 250, which prints up to 2,100 s.f./hr., can print simultaneously on two parallel panels, raising its productivity and versatility even further. It can run uninterrupted 24/7.

Astek: Better Every Year
Since the creation of its Digital Printing Department in 2002, Astek has increased its capacity every year, largely due to the acquisition of Durst printers. The Rho P10 320R and P10 250 are the company’s fifth and sixth Rho platforms. Astek offers flexible output on vinyl, Mylar, window film, canvas, self-adhesive, acetate, natural and fabric materials—and all can be printed in full
roll-length runs. Flatbed printing onto almost any rigid substrate up to 1½˝ thick.

“Our business is built on some of the world’s most advanced digital UV printers available so we can tackle the most challenging projects,” said Kirsch, whose company’s handiwork designing and fabricating realistic interiors can be seen in the current Hollywood blockbusters Men in Black III and Battleship. “All of our printers use eco-friendly UV print technology to cure the ink and provide a durable finish.”

“We want to congratulate Aaron Kirsch and Astek, our long-time client and associate, for the latest in its long list of firsts, and the remarkable record of success that has been built on them,” said Christopher Howard, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Durst U.S. “Astek is one of the best examples we know of a company that stays out front in its industry and puts its clients first. All of us at Durst are proud to be part of the story.”

About Astek
Established in 1980, Astek Inc. (formerly Astek Wallcovering) is one of the nation’s leading specialty and custom commercial image designers and manufacturers. The company delivers a broad selection of products and services, competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. It also operates a retail business: DesignYourWall.com.

About Durst
Durst Phototechnik AG is a leading manufacturer of professional digital imaging systems. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Brixen, Italy, and Lienz, Austria, and has major offices in the U.S., France, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and Singapore. The Durst reputation for quality, precision, innovation and reliability spans more than 75 years.

Source: Durst.