Hardware - Industrial Print

Inca Digital has doubled its Onset manufacturing volume at its Cambridge facility in the UK to meet a considerable boost in demand for this powerful series of UV flatbed wide-format digital inkjet printers.This follows the successful launch of the original Inca Onset in 2007, the Onset S20 in 2008 and high interest in the Onset S40 launched earlier this year.

The rise in the number of companies needing to invest in high-performance equipment to meet increased demand from their customers has resulted in a high volume of orders for Onsets over the last year from across Europe and the Americas.  In addition, many companies are now investing in second and third machines, either adding multiple S20s or adding an S20 or S40 alongside an Inca Onset as they start to switch to total digital print production and away from screen and large-format litho printing.

“The Inca Onset Series with automation redefines wide-format performance levels, providing an ideal, fast production platform and ticking all the boxes for companies who need to produce short-run, variable and static display graphics on a wide range of materials very quickly and efficiently,” says Dr Linda Bell, CEO, Inca Digital. “The success of the Onset products worldwide over the past three years has raised the quality bar in digitally printed graphics and demonstrated the considerable market for fast turnaround, quality display graphics on a wide range of materials and at a competitive price.  We are actively recruiting to further increase staffing levels by 20 per cent across the board and have worked hard with our suppliers to add the capacity to respond to the higher demand.”

Inca Digital Onset S20
Fujifilm distributes Inca’s ultra-fast printers exclusively around the world and supplies the patented Uvijet inks that have been specifically formulated to maximise the benefits of Inca’s engineering expertise and deliver groundbreaking quality.  The flagship, super-high productivity Inca Onset prints at 750sqm/hr (8,073 sqft/hr), the Inca Onset S40 at up to 470 sqm/hr (5,059 sq ft/hr) and the Inca Onset S20 at 310 sqm/hr (3,340 sqft/hr).  With a choice of productivity, automation, ink colour options and controllable satin and gloss levels, 18 different Onset configurations are available. This enables companies to pick the right model, at the best price, performance and, therefore, return on investment (ROI) for their business and provide room for growth.

Go to www.incadigital.com to see full details. To take the Onset Challenge go to www.onsetchallenge.com

HP today announced that Astron Group, of Prague, Czech Republic, has added its third HP Scitex TJ8350 Press to meet customer demand and to attract more international brand business.

Established as a prepress and data processing company in 1994, Astron Group has evolved to become one of the largest providers of large and wide format print in the region. Today, with more than 200 employees, and a turnover of €15 million the company, offers the production of digital, digital large format and conventional offset printing services for international corporations and agencies in Central and Eastern Europe.

Astron Group bought is first HP Scitex TJ8300 Press in 2007 and a year later added a second press. These presses, an HP Scitex XL1500 Printer and an HP Scitex XL1200 Printer, along with a growing number of UV curable and dye-based digital printers enabled Astron to become one of the largest producers of large format advertising in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Earlier this year in July, when Astron installed a third TJ press, a TJ8350, it also upgraded the other two presses to HP Scitex TJ8350 Press standards and became the only company in Europe to have three TJ8350 presses under one roof.

"Our decision to buy the third HP Scitex TJ press was based on our overall strategy of re-investing in technologies that have been successful for us, which the first two presses have been," said Tomas Novak, owner, Astron Group. "In addition to increasing our capacity, the additional press also gives us the level of back-up that is required by our agency customers and the national and international brands. Without the capabilities to assure the required short turnaround times, winning such orders is difficult, if not impossible."

Astron Group provides a complete service to its customers and has comprehensive automated finishing capabilities and also offers installation services for all its signage.

"As our relationships with customers grew, so did our offering," continued Novak. "In addition to our large format work, we also provide prepress data preparation, DTP, design and artwork preparation and even publishing, using our traditional offset press. This was an interesting development as we began with digital printing, but as we attracted customers, saw the opportunity to offer traditional offset printing as well."

The ability to use pigmented inks on the presses is another feature that makes them versatile and suited for use for international brand work. In addition to the big brands, customers and end-users include retail chains, telecommunications companies, insurance companies, banks and car importers - all of which have a requirement for consistent, high-quality print.

"The benefits of the HP Scitex TJ8350 Presses enable us to process more jobs during peak periods while during 'normal' periods we can shorten lead times, deliver to tight deadlines and meet our customers' quality expectations," concluded Marek Nemec, publishing and offset director.

For further information about the Astron Group, please visit www.astron.cz

More information is available at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts or follow HP on www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts

As a first-time exhibitor, and endorsing its experience in wide-format digital textile solutions, EFI(TM) is participating at ITMA (Barcelona, Spain, 22-29 Sept) with the VUTEk TX3250r fabric printing system designed for industrial and display applications. This innovative dye sublimation printer has a maximum  width of 3.2m and incorporates many of the benefits and attributes of the company's world-leading inkjet solutions.

Launched to great acclaim in the spring of this year, EFI's VUTEk TX3250r will be demonstrated in a live production environment at ITMA, complemented by a Klieverik calender. The TX3250r is a new wide-format production solution that has evolved from the first industrial inkjet textile system, the VUTEk FabriVu, introduced by the company in 2002. Advances made in this market sector have now resulted in an innovative, versatile fabric printer that marries the combination of excellent quality with industrial performance for high-margin applications.

Ideal for display producers as well as industrial sectors, the VUTEk TX3250r can be used to print direct to textile or indirect to transfer paper to produce samples
and short-runs, home and commercial décor such as wall coverings and furnishings, as well as a vast range of soft signage, banner and flag applications. Its appeal
also lies in generating more environmentally aware production practices in the retail and point-of-sale areas, along with easier logistics and lighter weight applications.

Designed to be used with Hilord's sublimation dyes, the VUTEk TX3250r outputs high quality, brilliant colours with excellent durability across a wide variety of
polyester-based fabrics. Integration with EFI's production software results in a precise, fully  colour-managed workflow, resulting in a complete, easy-to-use solution on a strong and powerful platform.

Managing director and owner of Faber France, Patrice Verley, comments, "We already use two VUTEk FabriVu machines on a day-to-day basis and their reliability and output quality have been excellent. The new VUTEk TX3250r is faster and incorporates higher resolution, so it was an easy choice for us when we needed to invest in additional printing capacity for our growing textile production business."

Wollux is one of Europe's largest textile printing companies. Based in Mouscron, Belgium, their experience with VUTEk technology goes back to 1999. "We produce between 500,000 and 750,000 sq m of digitally printed textile per year- mostly flags, banners and POP decoration," said CEO Edwin Birnbaum. "When EFI showed us the speed gains and the image and colour quality offered by their new VUTEk TX3250r, we decided to be the first to offer these benefits to our customers.  The machine has been working double shifts since we installed it."

The growing awareness of wide-format digital textile printing led EFI to decide to exhibit at this year's ITMA exhibition in Barcelona. "Although the graphic arts
and display sectors know EFI and its solutions, our increasing presence in the fabric arena is attracting specialist customers. We want to address this by participating at this important, dedicated textile event," explains Emmanuel Swolfs, International Field Marketing Manager for EFI VUTEk. "There has been increased interest in the digital textile sector and this specialist solution will appeal to new and existing users of dye sublimation technology. ITMA gives EFI the ideal platform for demonstrating the VUTEk TX3250r to a dedicated audience."

The new VUTEk TX3250r complements EFI's diverse portfolio of wide- and narrow-format digital inkjet systems, which utilise UV-curable ink, including VUTEk grand format inkjet printers, Rastek(TM) wide-format inkjet printers and Jetrion® industrial  inkjet printers, along with the company's software solutions for colour-managed workflow, its Fieryâ XF RIP, plus specialist options for full management across all print disciplines.

In todays wide format market, where things are seemingly becoming ever more austere and disciplined, it is always nice to see someone breaking the mould and demonstrating that there is still a sense of humour out there in corporate land.

So we were duly delighted when the HP Graphic Arts crew @HPGraphicArts tweeted a picture of someone 'planking' on an Indigo digital press.

Of course in order for that to be relevant to Large Format Review they needed to be planking on a wide format printer. In the absence of any evidence that planking has yet made it into the wide format arena, we cheated and made one, of sorts, ourselves...

Anyone else got some real pictures, of real planking, on a real wide format printer? Send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , and we'll try to make you famous.

Whilst on the subject of Tweeting, why not come and join @LFRnews, and others including @HPGraphicArts, @RolandDGUK, @EFI_Print_Tech and @Colourgen, in the rapidly developing wide format print community on Twitter.

EFI and Heidelberg Canada today announced a new agreement under which Heidelberg will distribute the VUTEk® GS series of superwide format digital printers throughout Canada. Under the agreement, Heidelberg Canada will distribute EFI’s VUTEk GS2000, GS3200 and GS5000r printers, as well as the inks (under the Saphira brand name), parts, consumables, accessories and upgrades related to these printers. Heidelberg will also provide customer and technical support for the VUTEk GS series of printers, including installation and training.

EFI is a world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for commercial, screen, packaging, in-plant and specialty printers worldwide. Heidelberg is the world's leading solutions provider for the print media industry. The company manufactures sheetfed press systems, as well as prepress and postpress components, software and consumables for all printing applications.

Heidelberg is the most widely recognized brand in the Canadian printing industry, and a market leader providing the industry with the finest and most technologically advanced prepress, printing and bindery/finishing equipment in the world. Heidelberg Canada employs 160 people working across the country. The company maintains extensive customer support staff in parts, service and consumables. They serve the marketplace with more than 25 equipment and consumables sales representatives and three regional sales vice presidents.

Heidelberg has a full-spectrum solution for multi-process color management including Prinect Color Toolbox, a suite of tools for device calibration, ICC profile generation, and proof/print analysis. The company will use these tools to integrate and color-manage VUTEk output for optimal results.

EFI will train and support the Heidelberg Canada team enabling Heidelberg to sell, train and service customers independently.

“Wide and superwide format printing are of considerable interest to the Canadian print market, and Heidelberg has the right workflow, color management, service and consumables expertise needed to integrate these technologies into a print production environment,” said Ken Freek, vice president product management, Heidelberg Canada. “Both EFI and Heidelberg are leaders in their respective markets. Together we can bring a best-in-class portfolio to our customers.”

The VUTEk GS series of high-end printers can be integrated into a complete Prinect workflow and can be color managed by Heidelberg’s Prinect Color Toolbox, which was recently awarded the IDEAlliance G7 System Certification. Customers will benefit from a single workflow that drives a digital device and an offset press, resulting in superior color matching output from both devices.

"Few companies are better respected in the industry than Heidelberg. Adding Heidelberg Canada as a reseller for EFI fits with our mission to offer customers the best combination of products to achieve diversity and profitability,” said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, EFI. “With Heidelberg, customers benefit from having a single point of contact for all their printing needs.”

"Commercial printers are looking for ways to distinguish themselves and offer their clients more diversified products and services. Now, the Heidelberg network of customers will benefit from having access to EFI’s industry-leading VUTEk superwide format printers,” added Mallozzi.

VUTEk Superwide Inkjet Solutions

VUTEk digital superwide printers range from 2- to 5-meters wide in roll-to-roll and flatbed formats. These versatile printers and inks deliver High-Definition Print (HDP) quality and exceptional production level speeds. They enable greater profitability with localized messaging, direct-to-substrate printing, increased capacity, and reduced labor, waste and make-ready costs. They allow businesses to enter new high-margin markets.

Company also upgrades HP Scitex TJ8500 Printer to TJ8600 specifications

HP today announced that France Affiches, of  Antony (south of Paris), France, has invested in a 5m HP Scitex XP5100 Printer as part of an investment programme that included upgrading its HP Scitex TJ8550 to the HP TJ8600Printer.

Part of the France Affiches group that includes a production facility in Spain (Iberia Print), and a sales office in Portugal (France Affiches Portugal), the company is extending its services to leading corporations, institutions and enterprises with a €6-million programme that includes upgrades to its prepress department as well as the investment in the HP Scitex printers.

Specialising in large format graphics, France Affiches' clients include the best known advertising and marketing agencies with high-end customers looking for superior-quality displays for large format posters, back-lits and other graphics for innovative regional, national and pan-European campaigns.

The company moved into digital wide format printing in 2009 with the installation of an HP Scitex TJ8500 Printer and an HP Scitex XL1500 Printer to supplement its conventional offset capabilities.

"When we decided to upgrade our capabilities, we looked at the different printers on the market," explained Angelina Fontana, CEO, France Affiches. "We had experience of HP, and felt that the HP Scitex XP5100 Printer not only suited our requirements, but that the HP after-sales service is excellent. As part of the same programme, we also upgraded our HP Scitex TJ8550 Printer to the HP Scitex TJ8600."

The HP XP5100 Printer is an eight-colour, roll-to-roll system using piezoelectric technology and UV-curable ink. With a maximum production speed of 1600m2/hr (1600ft2/hr), and a "cruising speed" of 105m2/hr (1,100ft2/hr) and handle materials up to 5m (16.6ft) or three simultaneous rolls of 1.6m (5.2ft).

"Our customers are increasingly asking for a broader range of projects," said Angelina Fontana. "So, the printer's capability of handling a wide range of materials for indoor and outdoor use made it particularly suitable for us."

The HP Scitex XP5100 Printer is designed for 24/7 use, which suits France Affiches' three-shift operation, while the substrates it can image include paper, PE, mesh, vinyl, textile, blueback paper, self-adhesive vinyl, synthetics, DuPont™ Tyvek®(1) , YUPO® and more. This makes the XP5100 printer suitable for simple graphics, back-lits, vehicle graphics, billboards and building wraps.

"The speed of the HP Scitex XP5100 Printer increases our capacity, while its versatility enables us to extend our applications offering to customers seeking a broader service from one supplier," Angelina Fontana concluded.

France Affiches was established in 1984 as an offset printer and continues to offer conventional printing as well as digital. The group employs about 30 people, of which 24 are at the French facility.

More information is available at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts or follow HP on www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.