Ultraplanet: When Technology Meets the Demands of Modern Production
Ultraplanet d.o.o. has been operating in the large-format printing industry for 24 years, providing solutions for branding retail spaces, vehicles, and events. Thanks to its extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of various printing technologies, the company continuously invests in solutions that deliver greater efficiency, superior quality, and enhanced production flexibility. With the introduction of the HP Latex series, Ultraplanet has further optimized its production processes while meeting the growing demands of customers who require exceptional print quality and fast turnaround times.
How did you recognize that it was the right time to invest in new technology, and what was the deciding factor in choosing this solution?
Since our founding, we have worked with virtually every existing printing and finishing technology, gaining a thorough understanding of the advantages, limitations, and challenges associated with each one. Many of our projects require installation on the very same day the graphics are printed, which is simply not possible with eco-solvent technology due to the extended drying time. On the other hand, while UV printing offers instant curing, it is limited to flat-surface applications and comes with additional constraints related to the rigidity and thickness of the cured ink layer. When you combine these factors with the exceptional colour gamut offered by HP Latex technology and, without a doubt, the most vibrant white ink we have ever encountered, the decision to invest became an easy one. Considering the nature of our business and the demands of our customers, investing in the HP Latex series has fully met our expectations.
Which advantages of the new technology have stood out the most in your day-to-day production?
We currently maintain branding for four major retail chains and their networks of stores. A key part of these projects involves three-layer printing on clear films (CMYK + White + CMYK). In this type of production, every printer naturally operates at a slower speed. However, thanks to HP Latex thermal printhead technology, where the printheads are periodically replaced as consumables, print quality remains consistently flawless, with no variations in colour intensity and no visible feed lines. As for productivity, we solve this challenge by running these jobs overnight without supervision. Every morning we arrive to find completed prints that have been produced flawlessly, without human intervention and without a single error. For us, this is an invaluable advantage. This approach allows us to dedicate daytime production capacity to high-speed printing jobs with frequent media changes while an operator is present, keeping the printer fully productive 24 hours a day with only one operator.
How would you rate your cooperation with Fortuna Digital Group throughout the entire process, from consultation and solution selection to installation, training, and ongoing support?
From our very first discussion about implementing the solution, we experienced a level of support we had not encountered before. From day one, Fortuna's technical team was available to answer virtually every question we had. Throughout the implementation phase and during after-sales support, there has never been a situation where we were left without a response, even to the most basic questions. We can genuinely say that our experience has been outstanding, and we would highly recommend Fortuna Digital Group.
What impact has this investment had on your business and your customers' experience? Has it opened up new business opportunities or markets?
As I mentioned earlier, our three-layer printing projects with white ink represent highly demanding applications, and technically challenging jobs naturally carry greater value. Of course, customers will always look for ways to reduce costs and find more economical alternatives. However, the results we achieve with HP Latex technology speak for themselves. Whenever one of our customers decides to try a lower-cost solution from a competitor using UV technology, they almost always return with the same comment, "Their prints look like they're already five years old."
That technology simply cannot achieve the same visual impact in these applications.
Although HP Latex printing comes at a slightly higher production cost, the quality of the final prints and completed projects fully justifies the investment. As the saying goes, poor quality is remembered long after the low price is forgotten.
