Hardware - Wide Format Print

Epson and EFI have joined forces to provide UK LFP purchasers with a next-generation proofing solution at a special promotional price from 14th June until 30th September, 2010. The offer, “Colour Without Limits”, allows buyers to save up to £1940 on an EFI Colorproof XF RIP when bought with either the Epson Stylus Pro 7900 or Stylus Pro 9900.

The Epson Stylus Pro 7900 (24” / 61cm) and Stylus Pro 9900 (44” / 111.8cm) utilise Epson’s UltraChrome High Dynamic Range (HDR) inkset, which is key to the quality of the printers’ output. This expands on Epson’s UltraChrome™ K3 (three blacks) with Vivid Magenta inkset by adding Orange and Green inks, which significantly increases the range of colours that can be achieved, especially bright green to yellow, and yellow to red. The Orange ink also contributes to smoother skin tones.

Both printers offer speeds of up to 40 sqm/hr with a resolution of up to 2880 dpi, and when accompanied by the EFI Colorproof XF RIP, provide enhanced colour accuracy and processing times, intelligent colour calibration and automatic colour optimisation.

“We’ve introduced this offer because we want to provide users with a genuinely remarkable proofing experience,” said EFI’s director of worldwide sales, Wilfried Kampe. “We’re so confident that the combination of products provides truly extraordinary results that we want to make them as accessible as possible, enabling users to see the output for themselves.”

For more information, please contact your preferred Epson or EFI reseller.

• A discount of £1,170 (€1,440) is available against purchases of Epson Stylus Pro 7900 or 9900 and EFI’s advanced proofing configuration: Colorproof XF with printer licence Epson x900, Color Manager Option, Color Verifier Option and Spot Color Option.
• A discount of £1940 (€2,440) is available against purchases of Epson Stylus Pro 7900 or 9900 and EFI’s advanced proofing configuration: Colorproof XF with printer licence Epson x900, Color Manager Option, Color Verifier Option, Spot Color Option plus EFI OneBit Option.

 

Gerber Scientific Products said today that it will unveil the newest member of its Solara ion UV printer family – the Gerber CAT UV – from June 22-26 at FESPA 2010 in Munich, Germany.

Gerber CAT UV, the only economically-priced “true flat bed” printer in the market today:

 

• Prints at a higher resolution for sharper and more vibrant output;
• Uses Gerber CAT™ inks that provide superior adhesion and scratch resistance with a vibrant color gamut;
• Uses patent-pending Cold Fire Cure™ technology that supports printing on the widest array of substrates in the industry;
• Prints on heat sensitive and recycled materials, supporting its environmentally friendly platform;
• Uses less energy and produces no ozone or VOCs;
• Offers unparalleled print accuracy and registration to support double strike and two-sided printing.

 

Its ease of use and low impact on the work place make it a smart choice for sign makers worldwide – especially where quality matters! The Gerber CAT UV compact footprint fits through a door as small as 36” or 94 cm – thus eliminating costly demolition or construction during installation.

Barclay Garnet, owner of Pubset of Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA, one of the select group of users running the Gerber CAT UV since late 2009 commented, “Gerber has brought this printer to the next level!”

To learn more about this cutting edge technology and see a live demo, visit Gerber at the FESPA show, Hall B-1, Stand 499.

 

 

With FESPA 2010 only a few days away, IGS UK confirms that interest from potential distributors and resellers is running at very high levels, with companies from all over the globe enthusiastic to take on the new Elements range of wide-format environmentally friendly solutions. Other eager parties are being encouraged to arrange a time and date with the UK based distributor in order to avoid disappointment.

The recent announcement of the Elements printer series, its H2O inks, matched Krypton Eco-Media and specially configured Chromium RIP have all been met with an astonishingly enthusiastic response from potential users. These include offices and businesses wanting to bring durable printing in-house as well as from the display sector looking to pursue greener practices.

Because this turnkey system uses water-based chemistry to produce equivalent quality to solvent-based output but without the hazards, its overall appeal is far-reaching into all sectors of the printing industry and from companies of all sizes. IGS UK reports that, with the world-wide launch planned for FESPA, it has already added to its international specialist team in order to cater efficiently with the vast numbers of enquiries quickly and efficiently.

Experienced suppliers are now being urged to make the most of the Elements presence at FESPA by visiting the IGS UK stand at the show. Resellers and end-users will have the opportunity of seeing regular demonstrations of the Elements Atom machines in action for the first time.

Companies interested in becoming involved with the Elements wide-format range of environmentally-friendly solutions are invited to preview the Elements range at FESPA on Stand 490, Hall 3.

Based on industry-proven Epson Stylus Pro printers, the Elements Atom range is then modified to facilitate the use of Elements H2Os' unique and outdoor durable hot-cured water-based resin inks.

Elements printers feature the Epson MicroPiezoTFP Print Head - quite possibly the most advanced ink jet print head technology ever developed, offering extreme print performance and dot placement accuracy.

Further information on the Elements range is available online at www.elementsps.net

 

 

Roland DG today announced that it received three awards in the 2010 European Digital Press (EDP) Awards. The coveted EDP Awards are judged on innovation and recognise the best products of the year introduced in the European market. Roland DG’s innovative inkjet technologies were recognised in the following three categories:

Best Wide Format Print & Cut Machine: VersaCAMM VS-640 64” Wide-Format Metallic Inkjet Printer/Cutter

The VS-640’s compact design, accelerated print speeds and the option of a white plus metallic ink configuration, generating more than 500 metallic colours, made this product a clear winner. The VS-640 combines a new generation of print head technology and an ink circulation system with improved ink flow and circulation. The VS-640 also features Roland OnSupport software, which alerts users of low ink, print finish status and emergency stops via e-mail.

Best Emerging Technology Printer: SOLJET PRO III XC-540MT World First 54” Wide-Format Metallic Inkjet Printer/Cutter

The XC-540MT is the world’s first wide-format metallic inkjet printer/cutter. Featuring six colours, CMYK+Metallic Silver+White (CMYK+Mt+W), Print& Cut and amazing production print speeds, the XC-540MT was a worthy winner. The metallic ink can be incorporated easily into the workflow using the included Roland VersaWorks RIP software.

Best Alternative Ink Technology: ECO-SOL MAX Metallic Ink, Roland ECO-SOLVENT Metallic Ink

The Metallic Silver ECO-SOL MAX ink can be used to create vibrant silver text and graphics previously impossible with any inkjet printer. The new Metallic ink can be printed as a spot colour or combined with CMYK inks to produce a range of coloured metallic effects. The ink was first introduced in 2009 with the XC-540MT and is now available with the VS-640, including the new metallic colour library with more than 500 metallic colours.

Each of these award winning products will be displayed on the Roland DG Stand (B2-340) at FESPA 2010 to be held in Munich, Germany from June 22 to 26, 2010.

 

Wokingham-based CMYUK Digital has been appointed as a key UK reseller for the Seiko I Infotech ColorPainter H-Series of mild solvent production printers from Colourgen. This appointment extends the close working relationship between the two companies, which has been in place for more than 15 years.

Jeff Biggs, Managing Director of Colourgen, comments, “The Seiko H-Series has established itself as the printer of choice for companies requiring high quality solvent printing at very fast speeds. It is ideal for major production projects, such as floor graphics, where quality is important and getting the work finished on time more so.”

Jon Price of CMYUK Digital, says, “We are finding that companies with hybrid UV-curable machines are looking to off-load some of the roll-fed work they are getting onto solvent machines, but this needs to be done at a production speed that makes it worth their while. The Seiko H-Series delivers this speed in spades, together with phenomenally good print quality. At CMYUK Digital we always ask the customer what they want to do before offering them a solution and if we don’t have the right products, we don’t try and shoehorn something in for the sake of a sale. By adding the Seiko to our portfolio, we are extending the range of printing solutions we can offer and increasing our overall capabilities for our customers and their business.”

He continues, “Colourgen has always been one of our main suppliers and we have always had very good service and support from them. We will be able to take customers and prospects to Colourgen’s demo facilities to show what the Seiko can do. We can also take advantage of their technical expertise, support capabilities and the extensive product testing they provide on all their printing systems.”

Biggs concludes, “CMYUK’s reputation is second to none and we are delighted to welcome their experience and expertise to help bring the Seiko to market.. CMYUK Digital and Colourgen  are also major suppliers for the EFI range of RIPs, which work very well with the Seiko and together, we can offer a complete and hugely productive solution for a range of retail and business applications.”

The ColorPainter H-74-S and H-104s are the fastest printers in their class, with printing speeds of up to 50 smph in 8 colour mode and 100 smph in 4 colour mode. They achieve this while maintaining high image quality and colour density, meeting the requirements for professional quality outdoor graphics and high volume users.

Certified Solution for Digital Production of Traffic Signs

Wide format inkjet printer manufacturer Mutoh Belgium nv introduces a new  compact 65” (1651 mm) wide roll-to-roll digital UV inkjet printer for high quality production of road traffic signs, safety and information signs, called Zephyr TS.    Based on Mutoh’s Zephyr UV platform, the new Zephyr TS will print directly onto retroreflective sheeting, using specially formulated UV inks.  The combination of printer, UV inks, retroreflective sheeting and UV protection overlay film fulfills the European standard for fixed vertical road traffic signs (EN 12899-1:2007).

Delivered as a total solution (including workstation and RIP software), Mutoh’s Zephyr TS will create traffic signs with brilliant colours, meeting the colour box and retroreflectivity requirements for road traffic signage.  The printer delivers typical high quality production speeds up to 28 m²/h, using specially developed high gloss print modes, a feature not available on competitive UV traffic sign printers.

Strategic Partnership with Nippon Carbide Industries Co., Inc., Japan (NCI)

“Our new Zephyr TS UV printer will bring new capabilities to analog traffic sign manufacturers, providing them a dedicated solution for the digital production of traffic signs, safety and information signs.    The solution will enable traffic sign producers to complement their existing production equipment and will offer them faster turnaround, more flexibility with regards to production planning and last but not least will enable them to reduce their environmental footprint”, comments Arthur Vanhoutte, President of Mutoh’s European operations.

“To develop this solution, we have entered into a strategic partnership in 2007 with the retroreflective business unit of the company Nippon Carbide Industries , having extensive application and R&D know how regarding the production of traffic signs and manufacturing of retroreflective sheeting”, Vanhoutte continues.

“A key development goal has been to have the Zephyr TS printing solution pass conformity testing in accordance with the European standard for road traffic signs.   The development cooperation Mutoh – NCI resulted in adapting our Zephyr UV platform for printing directly onto NCI’s Nikkalite® range of retroreflective sheeting materials, using specially formulated and dedicated inks suited for traffic sign production (Red, Blue, Yellow and Black).    The icing on the cake is that today, Mutoh and NCI are able to market a fully certified digital printing solution with warranties up to 10 years, offering peace of mind to traffic sign manufacturers”  concludes Arthur Vanhoutte.

Certified Solution

Production of road traffic signs is a very specific application for which critical and specific regulations need to be met with regards to colours, retroreflectivity and UV fading.

The manufacturing of fixed vertical road traffic signs is specified in the European standard

EN 12899-1:2007.   To comply with this standard, extensive tests by an official lab are required with regards to retroreflectivity and colours, as well as weathering tests on printed data.

Test results for the Zephyr TS solution confirm full conformity with the European standard.  Warranties of 7 and 10 years can be given, depending on the type of Nikkalite® retroreflective sheeting which is used.

The warranties are stipulated in a declaration of conformity issued by Nippon Carbide Carbide Industries in accordance with EN 12899-1:2007, for the combination Mutoh Zephyr TS printer, Zephyr TS UV inks, Nikkalite® retroreflecive sheeting and the recommended Nikkalite® overlay film.

Available immediately, the new Zephyr TS printer solution will be co-marketed by Mutoh and NCI all over Europe, the Middle East and Africa.   The printer and the inks will be available through a dedicated network of Mutoh Authorised resellers.   The retroreflective sheeting materials will be available through Nippon Carbide Industries.

The new Zephyr TS printer will be displayed at the oncoming Fespa 2010 show, in Münich, Germany.