Interview with Carla Bonini, CEO of Base3 Spain

Carla Bonini, CEO of Base3 Spain, tells us how she has lived the international expansion of Base3 since its inception in Argentina and updates us on the latest trends in the large format digital printing sector.
Since arriving in Barcelona in 2002, Base3 has not stopped growing in Spain and just a few days ago it has just opened a new ship in Barcelona, ​​expanding its facilities in Barcelona.

1. After 16 years of presence in Spain, how would you assess the trajectory of Base3 throughout all these years?

Base3 was born in Argentina in 1995 and seven years later, in 2002, it arrived in Barcelona. In a short time we also opened in Madrid, seeing that in Spain we had a great business opportunity. There were few printing companies dedicated to large format and we saw that the service that we could offer would be assured success, providing agility and involvement to our customers in all jobs. In this way, in just 3 years, we went from having a ship and a machine, to forming a team of 60 people and having five printing machines and 4 warehouses with finishing machines.

2. What kind of graphic services do you offer?

In addition to printing in large format, we carry out integral projects in the retail sector, we work on the proposal and decoration of shop windows, interior design, at the same time we make plotting of vehicles, events, printing and placement of tarpaulins on facades.
In each of the services we offer, we carry out a preliminary study to advise the client, and in some cases, as in the case of the assembly of an event, we survey the place in order to see the dimensions, the materials that are can use, to produce and adapt or create the originals. Therefore, we take care of all phases, survey, production, installation and removal. We are present from beginning to end, and willing to manage the most critical moments. At this time, it is when we are able to respond with maximum speed and efficiency.

3. What is the client profile that comes to work with Base3?

We work with all types of clients, especially with large companies and multinationals. We are focused on all sectors, so our customers are very varied. Some examples: in the sports world we work with Real Madrid. We work with Lidl, Carrefour, Heineken, etc. In the retail sector, we have clients such as Mango, Desigual, Bershka, and the automotive sector with Mercedes Benz, BMV, Volkswagen, among others.

4. It seems that large format printing lives a golden age. What do you think is due?

Printing applications today are great allies for all sectors, because they adapt quickly to any surface and space. Its production is increasingly agile and new graphic technologies and the wide variety of printing media have become essential resources to achieve a good campaign, excellent decoration and adapt well to the dynamics of the shops, as well as to the Promotional periods that change annually. The quality of the materials that can now be printed is really excellent, you have a
promotional range, but you also have many high quality options for spectacular productions.

5. You have told us that you work for companies of all sectors, but which of them is entering with more force in the digital impressesion of big format?

I would mainly highlight the retail, interior design and events sector due to the variety of supports and the possibility of carrying out turnkey projects.

6. We know that you are always looking for new printing solutions. Could you tell us some of the novelties with which you are working at this time?

In Germany, a pioneer in printing trends, the current canvas of pvc is being discontinued and fabric is being opted for. Currently in Base 3, we are beginning to work with different printed fabrics that are beginning to be a trend in Spain and we are betting on a profile system that allows us to decorate complete rooms using this type of fabrics.

7. They have ecological printing technology with HP Latex Printers (Ecological Latex Inks). What are your strengths and how does this technology differ from the rest?

Our customers look for a fast impression, the best possible production cost along with a high definition and quality in the impressions. In addition, the sensitivity of companies with respect to the care of the environment and sustainability is increasing. For these reasons we use this technology, although it should be noted that not everything can be printed with ecological printers. One advantage of printing with this technology is that it prints in almost photographic definition. It is also important to note that the inks of this Latex printer are in oily unlike UVI inks, solvents or ecosolvent, although over time it disappears. On the other hand, the limitation of this printer is that you can only print on media suitable for this type of technology. The materials should be as smooth as possible.

8. What are the challenges facing the large format digital printing sector today?

The biggest challenge in our sector is the speed of service. You can have the best machines, but the most important thing is to be able to give a fast and efficient service to the client. It is a mistake to think that buying the latest printing technology is going to make you better and have more customers.

9. Finally, we would like to know what trends will mark the future of the large format?

There will be a transformation influenced by new technologies. In my opinion, there will be fewer companies, but more capable and there will be an integration of certain services that are now contracted separately. The "turnkey" service will be more complete and the client will be given a 360º service, we will have to continue incorporating new business units so that the large format continues to evolve.