Format Graphics: Agfa Jeti Bronco Was Worth the Wait

Format Graphics is the first customer in the world to install the new Agfa Jeti Bronco 3.2m print engine. They had been looking for a new printing machine and, after seeing a prototype at Agfa in Mortsel (Belgium) in late 2023, decided to wait for its official launch.

Format Graphics, located in Milton Keynes, UK, was established in 2012. The company specialises in large-format printing, primarily signage and point-of-sale materials for exhibitions and events. Two years ago, they became a customer of Agfa, having purchased an Avinci CX3200 dye sublimation printer. Having had a positive experience with that purchase, it was a natural next step for them to explore Agfa’s options while searching for a replacement for their aging 3.2m Vutek hybrid printer.

“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 later, we were really pleased that we did,” said Baz, owner of Format Graphics.

The Agfa Jeti Bronco H3300 is the latest addition to Agfa’s wide-format print machine range, price positioned between the Anapurna Hybrid and the Jeti Tauro engine. This new hybrid inkjet printer, designed from the ground up using innovative technology, can print up to 330cm wide with CMYKcm and white ink capabilities. It currently functions with two sets of print heads but can be upgraded to four sets to increase speed as required. The physical dimensions of the printer were a strong selling point for Format Graphics when making their purchase, as it is 700mm smaller than the Jeti Tauro H3300 LED, making it a better fit for its intended location. They were also impressed with the ease and speed of the changeover between sheet and roll on the Bronco, which is important due to the varied types of work they do.

As this Bronco machine is the first to be installed, Agfa is treating it as a “field trial” for the next 3 months. Their R&D team is making weekly calls to the print operator at Format Graphics to gather feedback that will help in software development. So far, this feedback has been positive, with the operator so happy with its simplicity that they have been able to train less experienced back-up operatives to help cover holiday shifts. The engine is being operated using the Agfa Asanti workflow, which is also new to Format Graphics and means a lot more of the work is at pre-press as opposed to the print operative.

Neil Turkington stated, “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.”

Last word from Sharon Stratton, “Overall, we are hugely happy with this latest investment in the Agfa Bronco machine. 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, we can better service our clients, so we see it as a very positive move forward for Format Graphics.”