Hardware - Wide Format Print

Printing on a variety of substrates up to 0.6-mm (23.6-mil) thick offers a compelling Print-On-Demand solution for the packaging industry

Receiving its commercial launch at drupa, Screen announces an enhanced specification to the widely-anticipated Truepress JetSX full-colour, B2, variable-data sheet-fed inkjet press.  Showcasing the list of enhancements to an already impressive specification is the device’s ability to handle offset and inkjet papers and boards up to 0.6mm thick. The result is a compelling variable-data / Print-On-Demand solution ideal for the packaging print industry.

The Screen Truepress JetSX offers full variable data and duplex printing capabilities, delivering productivity up to 1620 B2 sheets/hour, equivalent to 108 A4 pages per minute. The press supports a wide variety of substrates with ease and is aimed at niche B2 format applications where conventional toner-based devices may struggle in terms of quality or productivity. The enhanced substrate capabilities will allow packaging printers and converters to offer a wide range of creative and lucrative added-value solutions to exploit both Print-On-Demand and variable-data applications.

The Truepress JetSX has attracted considerable industry attention due to its unrivalled combination of outstanding print quality using water-based pigment inks, use of standard offset printing paper, duplex and variable printing capabilities. The enhanced specification to support thicker substrates is thanks to a combination of developments in non-contact print technology through multi-level greyscale printheads, and Screen’s proprietary paper transport technology.

The result is a fast, high quality, variable-data, full-color B2 press with the ability to output on the most commonly used paper packaging materials, coated board and cardboard – which is bound to increase interest in Print-On-Demand and variable-data printing in the packaging industry.

In addition, the Truepress JetSX offers a variety of added-value applications in packaging thanks to features such as a traceability function using serial numbers, or control barcodes, as well as the personalization of gift wrapping. This can also be applied to the diverse short-run printing and zero-inventory needs of the commercial packaging field – e.g. machine parts, pharmaceuticals or medical equipment.

The Truepress JetSX, combined with Screen’s EQUIOS front end and third party finishing equipment, can be integrated to provide a highly automated, web to delivery solution. Files received online can be automatically preflighted, colour managed, imposed and placed in the print queue. Once the job is printed, EQUIOS passes the necessary information through to an MIS system for automatic billing if required.

Screen will be running demonstrations of the TruePress JetSX during drupa (Hall 9/A40) complete with printed samples on a range of thick substrates.

Mutoh America, Inc., an industry leader in wide-format printers, announces the launch of its new Trade-In Program reflecting Mutoh's new lower pricing on ValueJet 1324, 1624 and 1638 printers. The Trade-In Program will benefit current Mutoh customers and non-Mutoh customers looking to upgrade to newer technologies. The Program begins April 1st and ends June 29th, 2012.

Customers can Trade-In any brand wide-format printer, 30" or wider, for a new Mutoh ValueJet 1324, 1624 or 1638 printer. The Program allows for improvement to current printing capability while receiving generous trade in incentives based on new printer pricing. 

"Our previous Trade-In Programs have been a big hit with print professionals looking to boost their print capabilities and utilize newer innovations," shares Brian Phipps. "I'm pleased we can continue to offer a Trade-In Program, this time with new lower pricing, which means even more incentives when you give us your outdated wide-format printer models!"

The Trade-In Program cannot be combined with any other Mutoh promotions or programs. Shipping, installation, training and ink/cleaning cartridges are not included. Prices include take-up system.

For more information on Mutoh's products or Trade-In Program visit www.mutoh.com

Melanie Enser, Product Marketing Manager, Colourgen, talks about their success at Sign and Digital UK 2012...

"Despite not actually having our own stand , we felt it was one of our most successful Sign and Digital shows for a few years, with definite signs of growth and investment in the industry becoming more apparent. With a significant presence by Mutoh and several of our key reseller partners with their own stands, we felt our time and energy was better served in supporting them. And, I must say, the strategy served us well.

I think Mutoh was a real success story. The much publicised re-alignment of its manufacturing processes has resulted in the company’s ability to deliver exciting new products quickly, which have the quality demanded by the UK market at a price point that is hugely competitive.

The new range of ValueJets received praise from end users, resellers and even the press. This broad series of products cover just about every aspect of wide format printing from point-of-sale, posters and banners, through to dedicated textile machines for soft signage, flags and clothing.

The flagship launch was for the Mutoh ValueJet 1638 64” (1650mm) dual-head, high speed, four colour printers. At 720 x 720 dpi, these printers can deliver 36sqm/h and, at a very attractive price, is ideally suited to the sign and display market. The standard printer uses Mutoh Eco Ultra CMYK inks, one of the gentlest eco-solvents currently in the market. The textile version of the printer (1638W) uses Mutoh’s water-based disperse dye inks and will deliver production speeds up to 65sqm/h for dye sublimation applications.

The new printers incorporate Mutoh’s new staggered dual head setup, which is the power behind the improved productivity capabilities. The dual heads still include Mutoh’s award winning Intelligent Interweaving technology, which guarantees predictable and repeatable output quality, while reducing ink usage.

All of our partners present at the show had a lot of interested enquiries and I am delighted to say that 10 orders for ValueJet printers and Kona cutters were placed. At an entry price of £7,920, Mutoh ValueJets certainly represent exceptional value for money compared to many other printers that were on display. And we believe there is a very positive future for the new ValueJets. It is a great range of products and they are only available through a select group of highly experienced and knowledgeable resellers, who can all deliver exceptionally high levels of support before, during and after installation.  (The Mutoh printers are available through authorised Colourgen resellers)."

Also from Colourgen at Sign and Digital UK

Colourgen also enjoyed plenty of interest in its other products at the show. Several orders are expected within a few days for the Seiko ColorPainter H2 and W-Series.  The new Kala Starter laminator was on the Mutoh and Josero stands with Josero taking orders for 4 units. Digital Print Innovations are expecting several orders for Kala Arkane and Mistral laminators.

There was also huge interest for the Caldera V9 RIP, which was running on 12 different stands.

Vinyl Xpress has announced the addition of a Mimaki UJV-160 flatbed printer and a Mimaki JV34-260 super-wide-format printer to its inventory, giving them the capability of printing sizes up to 104-inches wide. Vinyl Xpress specialises in producing signage for businesses, trade shows and retailers ranging from banner printing to vinyl graphics and beyond.

Since 2001, Vinyl Xpress has been serving Canadian and International clients ranging from small businesses to major retailers like The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), Sears Canada and Levi's. Now, with the addition of the Mimaki UJV-160 flatbed printer and JV34-260 super-wide-format printer, Vinyl Xpress has increased their maximum printing size from 64 to 104 inches. "The stunning quality and unprecedented turnaround times of these machines are just the latest efforts to better serve a growing clientele with unlimited options," said Vinyl Xpress Co-owner Tal Kasimov.

In addition to their size output and vivid colour reproduction, the new machines add incalculable creativity options not possible with standard inks. The Mimaki UJV-160 is designed to print on both rigid and roll-to-roll media, making it perfect for printing onto almost anything including paper, vinyl, fabric, magnets, wood, plastic, steel, carpet, leather polyvinyl chloride (PVC), boat sails, wood, glass and many other substrates.

Their award-winning portfolio of wide format printers includes the industry-leading Roland SOLJET printer digital system that enables printing on coated and uncoated materials. The use of Eco-Sol ink produces prints that are both UV and scratch resistant. In addition, the Concord Ontario printer has also added a flatbed vinyl application and lamination table from RollsRoller.

From standard prints, large backlit posters, vinyl banners and graphics for windows, floors and vehicles to fabric prints and decals/logos/vinyl lettering, Vinyl Xpress provides clients with high-impact, rich-looking printed materials. "No matter what the message, we've got the medium, tools and creativity to bring any client's imagination to life," said Kasimov.

The reaction to Epson’s new 64-inch SureColor SC-S30600 wide format printer from visitors to Sign and Digital was ‘overwhelmingly positive’ says Nick White, Manager, ProGraphics, Epson UK.

‘This new 4-colour printer delivers superb quality and productivity at a very competitive price and has certainly hit the sweet spot with sign makers and vinyl cut specialists alike.

The first sale was made within the first hour of the show with our reseller partners reporting brisk business over the 3 days. Orders have certainly exceeded expectations.’

Mimaki, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers, is to present its latest Latex and solvent print solutions at Drupa 2012 . The company will also unveil its new high-gap UV-LED flatbed printer. The exhibition takes place 3 – 16 May in Dusseldorf, Germany. Mimaki can be found in hall 9 at stand C21.

Delegates visiting the stand will see the high-speed, high-quality JV400LX series, which uses environmentally friendly latex ink, including the world’s first white latex ink. Also on show will be the JV400SUV series, which combines the flexibility of solvent printing with the durability of UV-curing inks.

Both systems employ Mimaki’s easy-to-use RIP, RasterLink6, which enables three ink layers in one pass with white and colour inks. And they offer outstanding print speed without compromising quality. The systems can print up to 18.1 m2/h, while a minimum dot size of 4 picoliters and the ability to use variable-sized ink dots ensures smooth gradation without a grainy appearance.

The advanced system opens up new opportunities by enabling print houses to print on a wider range of substrates. Other benefits include a new white ink circulation system that prevents pigment sedimentation, and a nozzle recovery function that temporarily restores print quality if a maintenance issue should arise. Plus it enhances print service providers’ green credentials thanks to its small environmental footprint and long-life, low power consumption. Mimaki Europe has experienced a lot of European interest in this next generation printer after its introduction at the 2012 Fespa Digital show in Barcelona.

New opportunities with innovative solutions
The UJF-3042HG desktop flatbed printer will also take the stage at Drupa. The new High Gap (HG) version can print up to 15cm-high objects, making it ideal for the promotional, trophy and commercial proofing markets. It offers multiple ink combinations like six-colours plus white and clear, but also an automatic priming feature, allowing to retain the look and feel of the substrates, while equally reducing time spent on manual priming and waste.

Other Mimaki UV flatbed printers on view at Drupa are the UJF-3042FX and the wide format flatbed range, the Mimaki JFX series. The UJF-3042FX prints directly on materials up to 5cm thick, with outstanding print quality of up to 1440 x 1200 dpi and the energy-efficient LED curing. Meanwhile the JFX features high-precision printing at great speeds with a large production capability.

Mike Horsten, Marketing Manager of Mimaki Europe, comments: “Drupa 2012 is the perfect stage for us. Not only can we now present our updated product portfolio, with Latex, SUV and the great flatbed family, allowing us to serve almost the entire Commercial printing markets, but our Drupa participation also reinstates the leading role we have in the solvent printing market.” We’re really looking forward to showing visitors how they can add value to their day-to-day services, whether that’s producing every-day items or delivering more niche products like high-quality specialist labels in volume.”

Committed to sustainability
Mimaki’s product development strategy is underpinned by a strong commitment to sustainability. Adds Horsten: “We design every new system with the smallest environmental footprint possible, by adopting advanced technologies such as low-power consumption LED curing, lowering the Latex curing temperature and reducing energy consumption on many models. Mimaki cares about producing sustainable printing solutions for use around the world”

More detail about Mimaki products, including those featured at the show, can be found at www.mimakieurope.com.