Lateral thinking for wide-format printing

Art students thinking outside the box are putting an Océ Arizona 350 GT flatbed inkjet printer through its paces at the University of South Australia, as they experiment with unconventional substrates.

According to workshop technician, David Gordon, students quickly develop interesting uses for the course equipment when uninhibited by traditional processes. Though not always a success, such as printing on filo pastry, the school discourages its use for mundane tasks.

“This was the case with the Arizona 350 GT. When they realised it could print on virtually anything, they came forward with a variety of fascinating techniques and substrates. We have used it to print designs on hand-formed glass, wood, doors, all forms of plastics and metals such as corrugated iron.

“Their use of the printer for fabrics has been interesting too. They have used it on cotton, silk, lace and even hessian, often stretching the material for ultimate effect. One student mounted leaves onto a backing board and printed on those,” he says.

Pictured: David Gordon inspects a piece of art printed on a ceramic substrate on the Arizona 350GT.



Encouraged to put aside established methods of print, these Uni students are testing printing equipment in ways that would surprise many industry veterans. This type of experimentation is exactly the kind of creative expression the School of Art, Architecture and Design wanted to bring out with the purchase of the printer.

“Quality equipment that is used in industry, such as the Océ Arizona 350 GT, is an excellent recruiting tool for the University. Particularly when prospective students see the quality of the work that can be produced on it,” says Gordon.