29 Mar 2024

SwissQprint to launch Nyala precision flatbed printer at drupa

SwissQprint will launch Nyala, its new precision flatbed printer, for the first time at drupa 2012 on stand C57, Hall 9.  The new printer has a width of 3.2m and can be equipped with fourfold CMYK - quadrupling the output compared to a basic configuration.

Either 3.2m x 1.6m board material or 3.2m roll material can be printed with the basic configuration or with the roll to roll option.  Increased productivity has been enabled with the introduction of 'four times CMYK' - meaning four print heads per colour, including white, printing simultaneously. The draft printing mode allows the Nyala to print up to 200m2/h - double the speed of an Impala model.

As well as the Nyala printer, swissQprint will also be showing its Impala and Oryx models at the show.

For more information, please visit www.swissqprint.com

Mutoh to showcase latest wide format innovations at drupa

Mutoh will showcase its latest wide-format digital piezo inkjet solutions at drupa in Hall 9, stand A44.  These solutions include the new ValueJet 1324 – 54” and 1624 – 64” eco printers and the ValueJet TD 64” & 104” direct to fabric printers featuring new head technology and a new set of electronics for improved quality and performance. Drupa also coincides with the availability of the first 2 models of Mutoh’s new ValueJet 1638 line, featuring a staggered dual head setup, offering improved productivity.

Arthur Vanhoutte, president of Mutoh’s European Operations comments, “Drupa will be an excellent opportunity for us to show the realignment of Mutoh’s manufacturing processes to the printing industry. As part of Mutoh’s worldwide strategy to improve efficiency, all key manufacturing and development activities are now centralised at our factory and R&D Centre in Suwa, Japan.”

Vanhoutte adds, “The timing of drupa is excellent for us. During the past 8 months, Mutoh has brought to market a completely new generation of wide-format printers that cover just about every aspect of wide format digital printing, from sign & display and dye sublimation through to dedicated textile machines for soft signage, flags and garment/apparel applications.”

“Drupa will also coincide with the commercial availability in Europe of the first two models of our new ValueJet 1638 range, with more models to come out later this year. The ValueJet 1638 printers are the first Mutoh ValueJet printers offering a staggered dual head setup. The printers offer an impressive increase in production speed in combination with an optimised ink spread and improved drying behaviour.  They will enable us to perfectly address the needs of volume-oriented users requiring high print speeds and who at the same time put impeccable print quality on top of their wish list,” concludes Arthur Vanhoutte.

New ValueJet 1638 64” high speed sign printer

The new ValueJet 1638 - 64” printer, offering production quality speeds up to 36 m²/h at 720 x 720 dpi, is targeted at the sign & display market. The printer utilises Mutoh Eco Ultra CMYK inks and will address the needs of PSPs and commercial printers looking for a high volume printing solution.

Incorporating a staggered dual head setup for increased performance and Mutoh’s award-winning Intelligent Interweaving print technology, the printer enables high volume and high quality production of long-term outdoor posters, signs and banners, backlit signage, POS displays, vehicle graphics as well as high quality durable prints for indoor use.

New ValueJet 1638W 64” high speed dye sublimation printer

The ValueJet 1638W 64” dual head model was developed specifically for the sublimation transfer market: soft signage & graphics for events, home decoration, flags & pennants, sportswear, in-store banners.  Printing on any typical transfer papers from 66 g/m² to 150 g/m², the VJ-1638W printer delivers production speeds up to 65 m²/h.

The printer utilises Mutoh’s high-speed disperse dye inks, offering excellent nozzle stability for high-speed and high-volume printing.  The inks produce rich and vibrant colours and offer excellent colour-fastness. Being water-based inks, they are a preferred choice for environmentally conscious customers. Available in 1 and 5 litre bottles, the inks deliver top scores in wash fastness, rubbing and perspiration.

ValueJet 1324 & 1624 eco printers

Launched in Q4 of 2011, the ValueJet 1324 – 54” and ValueJet 1624 – 64” printers are targeted at the sign & display market and are suited for the production of long-term outdoor posters, signs and banners, backlit signage, POS displays, vehicle graphics as well as high quality durable prints for indoor use.  Incorporating new print head technology and Mutoh’s award-winning Intelligent Interweaving print technology, the printers deliver typical production speeds up to 14.5 m²/h and top speeds up to 29 m²/h.

ValueJet TD series printers

For printing on both open and closed structure fabric, Mutoh will display the new ValueJet TD series printers. The new 8 channel ValueJet TD printers incorporate two new 1440 nozzle piezo drop-on-demand print heads mounted in-line. The ValueJet TD printers allow typical production speeds up to 24 m²/h and top speeds up to 41 m²/h. This makes the machines suited for volume printing as well as for customised one-off projects. The printers utilise Mutoh’s worry-free water-based direct disperse inks for direct-tofabric printing. They can also be used with Mutoh’s high-speed dye sublimation inks for transfer paper printing.

drupa hosts European debut of InkTec's new Jetrix model

InkTec Europe has announced that the latest addition to the Jetrix range of UV printers - the Jetrix 1212FK - will be officially launched and shown for the first time in Europe at drupa on stand F54 / Hall 3.

The new Jetrix 1212 is a compact 1.2m x 1.2m flatbed printer. It’s smaller in size than the other models in the range and is ideal for print companies who have a limited amount of space. However, for larger requirements, there is an optional 1.2m extension table available which makes it possible to print 1200mm x 2400mm sized substrates. The new model is 'very robust and extremely well engineered' and uses the 'best components' from around the World.

Like its big brother (the 2030), the Jetrix 1212 utilises the Konica Minolta 1024 (6 pico litre) print head which offers speeds of up to 26sqm/hr and a maximum print resolution of 1440dpi for true photographic quality edge-to-edge printing. There is also a multi-layer print function built into the easy-to-use operating system. This time-saving feature cleverly enables the user to schedule their print in layers instead of having to do multiple passes.

New UV ‘Primer’ ink

The most unique feature of the 1212 model is the brand new proprietary Jetrix UV ink that goes inside it. This patented ink-set is specially formulated to adhere to many substrates, like glass, acrylic and metal, without the need for a primer. It can also be printed on to softer substrates, like polypropylene, and then folded without cracking.  

The Jetrix printers are all compatible with industry leading RIPs, including Oynx and Caldera.

Global sales of Mimaki JV400 Series exceed 200

The JV400 Series from Mimaki is proving popular with printers across the world, with global sales surpassing 200 since its launch at Fespa in February 2012.

The Mimaki JV400 is also fast earning the respect of experts in the print industry – the system recently walked away with a coveted European Digital Press (EDP) Association Award, after being named Best Environmental Printing Solution. The judging panel commented, “With the new piezo head, the viscosity of the ink is higher, meaning less drying time. Combined with the white ink option and lower energy consumption, the Mimaki JV400LX is a worthy winner.”

Mike Horsten, Marketing manager at Mimaki Europe, comments, “The Mimaki JV400 was incredibly well received when it was launched at Fespa, and since then its popularity continues to grow. Word is certainly spreading about what it can deliver.  And for the system to receive a highly respected industry award so soon after its release was very encouraging. We very much respect the opinions of experts in the industry, so to win an award was very satisfying.”

Faster speed, higher quality

The JV400-130/160LX is an inkjet printer featuring newly developed environmentally friendly latex ink. The system supports six colours plus white, and is the world’s first latex printer to feature white latex ink, which is used for a wide range of printing requirements and substrates – for example, transparent PET, window decoration, shatterproof window film and more.

Exceptional quality is guaranteed with its minimum dot size of 4 picolitres, and the ability to use variable-sized ink dots for smooth gradation without a grainy appearance. The system operates at an impressive speed of up to 18 square meters per hour.

Mimaki’s complete range of wide format solutions is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Hybrid Services Ltd and its national sales manager, John de la Roche has seen similar levels of interest. “Our specialist latex resellers enjoyed an excellent exhibition at Sign & Digital UK and forward orders have been very strong.”

Meanwhile the JV400-130/160SUV is a revolutionary inkjet printer that blends the flexibility of solvent printing with the high durability of UV-cured inks. It prints in four colours (CMYK) at speeds of up to 18 square meters per hour.

In the printing process, the solvent component is absorbed by the ink-receiving layer of the media, and the pigment is settled into the media. Printed ink is then cured via a UV process, resulting in a smooth, glossy appearance that simulates a coating, while retaining the bright colours expected of a solvent printer.

Further information on the Mimaki JV400 latex inkjet printers can be found by visiting www.hybridservices.co.uk/latex

HP L26500 latex printer boosts printing capacity at Ecosse Signs

Supplied and installed by HP Channel Partner William Smith, the new HP L26500 Latex printer has greatly increased the printing capacity at Lanarkshire-based Ecosse Signs. The company supplies primarily vehicle graphics and vehicle wrapping solutions to a number of blue chip organisations in the commercial vehicle rental and retail car trades in addition to general signage and high-impact digitally printed banners for corporate branding.

Director of the company, Tom Thomson comments, "We needed to replace our existing wide-format printer in order decrease production times and increase capacity levels. Having visited William Smith to evaluate the HP L26500 printer, we were immediately impressed with the machine’s speed of production that proved nine times faster than the previous platform, by the environmental credentials and eco friendliness due to the integrated patented Latex Ink Technology."

The new solution offers a host of new benefits, not least of which are much faster production, lower maintenance due to the printer’s self-cleaning capability and the removal of the need for expensive fume extraction and special ventilating equipment that are necessary when using solvent-based printers.

The HP L26500 printer now installed is used for printing onto a wide range of different media, including premium-grade options from 3M and in particular the 3M IJ180 series of films and other materials under the ImagePerfect, Arlon and Dtec brands for shorter-term applications. Tom Thomson adds, "In addition to the greatly increased volume of work that we can now undertake, there has been a correspondingly high reduction in print wastage, more consistent quality and an increase in new customers keen to engage with the environmental benefits provided."

For further information on the HP range of Latex printers, please visit www.williamsmith.co.uk

'Oldest printer in town' wins a Mimaki CJV 130 printer from Robert Horne

Earlier this year, Robert Horne Group launched a competition to find ‘the oldest printer in town’ with a combined digital hardware prize package worth over £37,000 up for grabs. The competition was developed as part of Robert Horne's campaign to promote its digital consultation service which provides advice on the potential opportunities offered by wide format print and is geared to helping print providers realise their business potential.

The competition offered three winners the opportunity to make 'a big impression' with no capital outlay. To enter, printers had to register details of their existing printer, so that the first prize winner - ‘the oldest printer in town’ - could be verified by serial number and date of manufacture.

First prize, a Mimaki CJV 130 was won by Eccleshall-based Creative Bee, whose Epson printer first started life in the mid-1990s. Managing Director Ian Douglass said he was thrilled to win. “We’ve seen the Mimaki in action and it’s really impressive. The addition of this new piece of kit will really help us to up productivity and increase our business; best news I’ve had this year!”

WPG Ltd, a print company in mid-Wales, close to the Shropshire border, was the winner of the second prize, a HP Z6200. Managing Director Paul Jones said, “In addition to traditional litho print services, we offer clients a fast 24-hour turnaround on short-run digital print jobs. The new HP wide format device will really help us expand our digital service further.”

The third prize winner - due shortly to take delivery of an Epson 7000 - was Clarendon Press whose purpose-built premises are in Alderley, Gloucestershire. Commenting on the win, Managing Director Pete Roberts said, “We are always keen to keep abreast of the very latest technology and the opportunity to install a brand new printer without capital outlay will be a real boon to our business. The new Epson printer will help us to manage a whole host of jobs and ensure that our customers continue to enjoy the highest levels of quality and service.”

In addition, the materials supplier offered two runners-up prizes:  Warwickshire-based Clintplan won a Seal 54EL laminator and Staffordshire-based JSW Print was awarded a Keencut Arc152 rotary trimmer.

Mark Gilbert, Robert Horne Group Commercial Print Divisional Director adds, “The range of applications that can now be produced digitally is increasing exponentially. The response to this competition was overwhelming and we’re delighted that three customers can now leverage the very latest in digital technology.”

For more information on Robert Horne Group, please visit www.roberthorne.co.uk