A new tradition: Ebinger takes the next step into the digital future with Mutoh

For Georg Ebinger Gesellschaft m.b.H., the new Mutoh XpertJet 1641SR Pro II is far more than just a standard replacement investment. Photo: Georg Ebinger Gesellschaft m.b.H.

From sign painting to digital printing

The company was founded as early as 1932, initially as a sign-painting business. Already in 1942, Ebinger was screen printing for the first time. The technology was still very uncommon in Europe then. In the 1950s, Ebinger became the source of technical expertise for reflective road signs all over Austria. Today, the Traffic Technology division's portfolio includes wooden or aluminium signs, construction site signage, road equipment with accessories, and even road repairs and road markings. Its main clients are towns and local authorities throughout Austria. However, there also is a smaller proportion of business and private customers.

The Traffic Technology division accounts for the largest share of turnover. In addition, the company offers – on a more regional basis – traditional advertising prints and vehicle wrapping. In total, the company employs around 50, of whom approximately 20 work in printing and signage.

“Screen printing has been part of our company for decades,” explains Managing Director Wolfgang Hammer. “However, since the turn of the millennium, we have increasingly focused on digital printing. Two years ago, we had to take the company’s last screen-printing press out of service. There were simply no more profitable orders for it.”

From large print runs to maximum flexibility

Customer requirements have changed fundamentally in recent years, even within niche markets. Short lead times, small print runs and, increasingly, one-off items tailored to customer requirements now characterise day-to-day operations, also with traffic-related products. In promotional printing and vehicle wrapping, digital technology has made many applications possible in the first place.

“Today, customers expect maximum flexibility. Some projects must be completed within a matter of days. That requires processes and machines that can keep up,” explains Hammer.

That is why Georg Ebinger Gesellschaft m.b.H. now relies entirely on digital production processes, including Mutoh systems. “They simply work,” says Wolfgang Hammer. “They are straightforward, reliable and rarely require a technician. They’re real workhorses.”

In 2026, the opportunity arose to replace several existing printing presses at once. This also marked the start of the search for a solution for roll-to-roll printing of films for vehicle graphics and advertising. The investment was intended not only to meet current but also to consider future requirements. “We didn’t want to just buy any old printer,” says Hammer. “The question was: which technology will really help us take things forward in the coming years?”

Making quality visible

Ebinger found the answer in Mutoh’s XpertJet 1641SR Pro II. The latest generation of this eco-solvent printer combines the AccuFine HD Pro printhead with Mutoh’s i-Screen EX technology. The result is finer detail, more uniform colour areas and clean gradients.

“With vehicle graphics, any irregularity stands out immediately,” explains Hammer. “Gradients, solid colour areas or fine lines must simply look perfect. That is precisely why the print quality of the new Mutoh impressed us.” This is because the four-colour printer (CMYK) offers the “Wide Colour Choice” profile. It expands the colour gamut, particularly in dark areas, and delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant reds.

Equally important, Hammer emphasises, is colour stability: “Our customers expect a company logo on a vehicle to look the same as it does on a sign or a billboard. With fleet graphics, there is no room for colour variations in the logo or motif, even across hundreds of vehicles.”

Working more productively, protecting the environment

But quality alone is no longer enough today. PSPs are under increasing pressure.

“We must produce faster and more flexibly than ever before. At the same time, customers’ quality expectations have also increased. That is the real challenge our industry is facing,” says Hammer.

This is where the XpertJet 1641SR Pro II hits the mark. The new printhead is significantly faster than the previous generation. At the same time, the optimised drying system – which is 20 per cent more efficient – makes sure prints can be laminated and processed more quickly.

The MS51 eco-solvent ink used in the Mutoh XpertJet 1641SR Pro II is also UL GREENGUARD Gold-certified and GBL-free. In accordance with the current classification, it bears no hazard pictograms. “Compared to previous-generation eco-solvent inks, the MS51 inks are therefore significantly more user-friendly and environmentally sound,” emphasises Hammer. “They also comply with various emissions standards in countries such as France and Belgium.”

Automated workflow with Onyx RIP

Hammer was particularly impressed by the machine’s intelligent automation options, as features such as DropMaster2 and FeedMaster reduce set-up time.

“Our staff shouldn’t have to waste their time on endless calibrations and colour management,” says Hammer. “That’s why we only use a small, carefully selected range of films up to 1.62 m wide from 3M and other high-quality suppliers.”

With a print speed of up to 17.63 m²/h in standard mode, the Mutoh XpertJet 1641SR Pro II is particularly productive. Thanks to its 4-stage print head height adjustment with a maximum clearance of 4 mm, it also handles all standard roll materials on the market with ease. “We need machines we can rely on. Stability and process reliability are at least as important as speed,” explains Hammer.

Across the company, the Onyx RIP has therefore recently been introduced to control all printers and cutting tables. “We’ve opted for this RIP for the entire current generation of machines,” says Hammer. “This is because the previous RIP in use was no longer coping very well with our new hardware. It was important to us that all machines, including the cutting tables, could be controlled in the best way possible.”

The RIP migration and the delivery of the new Mutoh XpertJet 1641SR Pro II were handled by Patrick Schwarz from C & P Consulting GmbH in Enzesfeld.

Focus on consultancy

“With Patrick, you can tell straight away that he understands the industry,” says Hammer. “He listens, analyses the requirements and doesn’t simply recommend the most expensive solution. This honesty builds trust.” From the initial consultation through to the selection of the system and its installation, Schwarz was on hand as the company’s point of contact.

“If we need support, we can reach him directly. These days, that’s anything but a given,” says Hammer. “As an Onyx specialist, he also helped us set up the new RIP, so that within a few days everything was running as usual – only better.”

He continues: “Selling a machine is, in essence, quite easy. Especially if you’ve been very happy with a previous model for many years. Which was precisely what we were. But what happens afterwards is crucial. With Patrick Schwarz, we have a partner who has been supporting us long term and understands our requirements.”

An investment for the future

For Wolfgang Hammer, the new Mutoh XpertJet 1641SR Pro II is therefore far more than just a replacement. “We’re investing in technology so that we can serve our customers even faster, more reliably and in a more environmentally friendly way. The Mutoh XpertJet 1641SR Pro II helps us do just that.”

What’s more, the new printer is significantly more energy-efficient, and the inks pose fewer risks. “Sustainable business practices are becoming increasingly important in our industry too,” Hammer is convinced.

Ultimately, the new machine at Ebinger represents far more than just technical innovation. It symbolises the successful transformation from a traditional screen-printing company into a modern digital printing and advertising technology specialist that is ready to meet the demands of the future.