Hardware - Wide Format Print

Since becoming a Roland Authorised Dealer in 2011, Radecal has proven itself a valuable partner for Roland DG in the sign and graphics market, successfully growing the installed base of Roland’s VersaCAMM, SolJet Pro and VersaUV range of wide format digital printers in the UK.  The agreement to now sell Roland’s EGX engraver range extends the partnership and gives Radecal access to some of the best engraving technology on the market.

Says Craig Williams, Sales Manager, Radecal, “We’ve had some great results in our first year as a Roland wide format partner selling the VersaCAMM and SolJet ranges and we believe that having the Roland engravers will enable us to build on this success in order to take our customers into some interesting and profitable new markets."

He continues, “We already sell the larger CNC Routers from Piranha International and TECHNO CNC, but have recently had a number of enquiries regarding engraving for durable signmaking as sign makers seek out new business opportunities to offset the margin reduction in their core markets. We’ve recently installed a Roland EGX-350 desktop engraver into our showroom which is available immediately for demonstrations. It’s a very welcome addition to our range and an exciting prospect for both us and our customers.”

Specifically Roland’s EGX-350 desktop engraver represents a true price versus performance breakthrough for sign makers, gift engravers, trophy shops and jewellery retailers. Ideal for personalising single units or in batch production, the EGX-350 has an intuitive user interface and remote hand-panel for easy access to key commands. A full software preview mode allows the user to check results before engraving and text merge and sequential numbering reduce the risk of potential errors when undertaking high volume work.

Andrew Dudley, 3D business manager at Roland DG UK, adds, “We believe that any sign maker can use an engraving machine to not only produce permanent signage, but to expand the range of other products they can offer including corporate gifts, commemorative plaques and name badges, for example.  Radecal has impressed us over the past year with their commitment to the market and our products. The expertise and knowledge of its sales and technical teams is outstanding and they have been an excellent addition to our group of Roland Authorised Dealers. Radecal is a progressive, forward thinking company that I’m sure will emulate its success to date on the wide format side with the new EGX range of Roland desktop engravers.”

An EGX-350 demo unit has already been installed alongside Roland DG’s wide format technology at Radecal’s Washington showroom. To find out more or book a demonstration, please visit the Radecal stand (H30) at Sign and Digital UK at the NEC, 27-29th March 2012.

[photo shows Roland's EGX engraver range]

Less than six months after the installation of the first :M-Press Leopard flatbed press in Ireland, Dublin-based print & design company Horizon has opted for a second machine to meet the demand generated by the first machine.

"Our positive experience with the first installation of the :M-Press Leopard has given us the confidence to make this further significant investment," said Ken Kavanagh, Joint Managing Director.

The :M-Press Leopard enables the company to print on substrates up to 1.6m x 2.6m, up to 50mm thick and at resolutions up to 720dpi.  It incorporates the same inkjet shuttle technology as Agfa Graphics’ :M-Press Tiger, meaning it can match it for print quality, and has been designed for jobs that require more manual handling.

Kavanagh adds, "Our customers don't just ask for print any longer, they now request the :M-Press Leopard when ordering their printed material."

“When we installed the first :M-Press Leopard we expected it would not only benefit the company but our clients too. We have been proved correct and this has been key to us investing in a second machine so soon,” adds Derek Gillen, Joint Managing Director at Horizon.

For more information, please visit www.agfa.com

[photo shows Agfa :M-Press Leopard flatbed press installed at Horizon's premises]

Océ’s will demo its recently announced Arizona 318 GL UV flatbed printer for the first time in the UK at Sign & Digital 2012 in Hall 3 on stand E10.   This highly-capable introductory UV flatbed model offers smaller print producers entry to the world of high-quality UV flatbed printing. 

In 2010, Océ Arizona Series platform printers captured 43 percent of new installations in the mid-range UV flatbed market. Since the first shipment of an Océ Arizona Series printer in 2007, nearly 3,000 systems built on this platform have been shipped to date.

The Océ Arizona 360 GT will star at Sign & Digital UK, as will the Océ ColorWave 600 poster printer, incorporating Océ CrystalPoint technology that uses toner pearls. Océ Imaging Supplies will also have a significant presence.

Once again at the show, Océ will be partnering Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd, the UK distributor for Zünd Systems Technik AG, the Swiss manufacturer of digital flatbed cutters. The two companies will be displaying the Zünd G3 L2500 digital cutting system. 

Océ and its partners will use the event to demonstrate the latest labour-saving innovations, designed to reduce waste and increase productivity. There will also be online access to the popular Océ Media Guide, which provides detailed advice and guidance that helps printing professionals select the best media for their printers and applications.

Derek Joys, Océ UK’s Display Graphics Systems’ Programme Manager, comments, “Once again our stand will be a must-see part of the show experience for all our customers and prospects, as well as other visitors. Sign & Digital UK is an important platform for us to demonstrate with world-leading technologies our commitment to this all-important market sector.”

For more information on Océ, please visit www.oce.com

[photo shows Océ Arizona 318 GL UV flatbed printer]

Mimaki has launched a complete new range of wide format printers, inks and environmentally friendly solutions for the sign, display and graphics markets. The new Mimaki JV400-130LX and JV400-160LX featuring state of the art Mimaki latex inks and are the first machines to incorporate Mimaki’s cutting edge print engine. This heralds the way for other ink types which will deliver a significant number of applications based upon the same platform and include Mimaki’s pioneering SUV ink; available shortly after the new latex machines.

New Mimaki latex ink

Mimaki’s latex ink delivers significant advantages over alternative solutions – requiring a very low heat to cure, opening up more materials, consuming substantially less energy and therefore minimising running costs. It is also the first latex solution to offer a white ink – which sits along side six process colours with a vibrant yield and extended gamut. The Mimaki latex inks are quick drying and supplied in 600cc ink packs which when used in conjunction with Mimaki’s eco-cases reduce waste and allow for long unattended print runs.

The 1.3m and 1.6m wide Mimaki JV400-LX printers feature a unique piezo print head, offering the usual advantages over alternative technologies – no requirement for frequent user head replacement, a stunning 4 picolitre dot size along with variable dot technology. The use of piezo heads further supports Mimaki’s environmental and sustainability credentials, with waste minimised and quality maintained throughout the printhead’s life. The Mimaki latex ink is an aqueous, resin based technology with proven eco friendly qualities and zero odour, making the machines ideal for installation in shops, education establishments and office spaces – as well as traditional print companies and graphics setups.

Pre, print and post heaters typically running below 60°C in combination with built in drying fans aid the fast curing of the Mimaki latex ink. With no gassing off required; any post print lamination can take place immediately, shortening ‘total job time’ and enabling print suppliers to respond to short lead times. Coupled to Mimaki’s class leading print speeds – up to 18m2 / hour at 900 x 900dpi – the JV400-LX range delivers a compelling solution across a broad range of applications.

Dedication to innovative products

President of Mimaki Engineering, Miko Noguchi comments on the company’s commitment to new products. “Mimaki is dedicated to bringing to market truly innovative and productive products,” he says, “These new printers are a terrific example of that dedication. The JV400 product line achieves faster print speed and higher print quality without compromise.”

New super durable UV ink

Available soon after the Mimaki latex range and utilising the same impressive print engine is Mimaki’s unique SUV ink set. Combining the flexibility of solvent with the durability of UV cured inks, the newly developed ink delivers a smooth, glossy result which is incredibly durable and vibrant. Featuring on the new Mimaki JV400-130SUV and 160SUV models, the same headline speeds of 18m2 / hour and high print quality as the latex models remain. The exceptionally high durability comes from the unique ink recipe – with components of the ink keying to the ink-receiving layer of the media. The surface of the ink is then cured using a UV process which results in a vibrant, durable and flexible finish making it ideal for banner production, pull ups and display materials – or any application where a combination of vibrant colour and a long lasting, scratch resistant print is important.
New Mimaki RasterLink 6 RIP software

Both new models in the JV400 family take advantage of Mimaki’s powerful and user-friendly RasterLink6 RIP that allows the deposition of three layers of ink in one pass, including a base layer of white ink for printers that support white ink. The new software also offers an improved user interface, new Pantone colour matching and Adobe Illustrator / Photoshop integration.

Expanding range of solutions

Hybrid Services Ltd has been Mimaki’s exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland since 1996 and national sales manager, John de la Roche, commenting on the new products remarks, “The Mimaki latex and SUV inks that feature on the new JV400 line-up are incredible launches for the company. The level and quality of R&D that’s coming to market from Mimaki delivers an ever-expanding range of solutions for our customers and with the new models, we’re even more confident of providing exactly what they need.”

The UK & Irish launch of the Mimaki JV400-LX latex printer will take place on Hybrid’s stand at Sign & Digital UK 2012 next month where it is sure to be one of the most talked about new machines at the show.

Epson will demonstrate the SureColor SC-S30600 for the first time in the UK at Sign & Digital UK 2012 (Stand E70, NEC, Birmingham 27th-29th March 2012).  The new printer will be shown alongside Epson’s current range of roll-fed large-format inkjet printers including the 64-inch, 8-colour Stylus Pro GS6000, the Stylus Pro 11880 and the 44-inch Stylus Pro 9700.

The new 64-inch SureColor SC-S30600 is a four-colour printer which has been designed from the ground up to offer efficient and environmentally-friendly signage print production. This new large -format printer handles high-volume workloads with ease, with print speeds from 7.3 to 29.4m2/hour depending on printing mode, whilst offering a very low total cost of ownership.

The popular Stylus Pro GS6000 has a maximum print resolution of 1440dpi and is capable of printing 25.2m²/h (720x360dpi). Driven by Epson’s passion for extreme colour gamut and photographic print quality, the printer  uses the high-performance UltraChrome™ GS ink technology, an 8-colour ink set (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Light Cyan, Light Magenta + Orange and Green) which requires no additional ventilation during production.

Epson’s 44in Stylus Pro 9700 is optimised to work with a five colour UltraChrome Vivid Magenta aqueous ink set, incorporating cyan, vivid magenta, yellow, photo-black and matte-black. Vivid Magenta technology gives a wider colour gamut for enhanced colour accuracy. Particularly noticeable on blues, magentas, reds and oranges, prints have a more natural and life-like appearance. For convenience, added productivity and reduced costs, the printer automatically selects the optimum black ink – photo or matte – to match the media.

The 64in Stylus Pro 11880 has a maximum print speed of 35.4m²/h, yet the aqueous UltraChrome™ K3 VM inkset – incorporating Vivid Magenta – means it doesn’t compromise on quality and is economical to own. The Stylus Pro 11880’s speed and quality is down to Epson’s inkjet technology that pushes the limits of photo-quality imaging across a huge range of media including ultra smooth fine art paper, matte finish, gloss finish or rigid poster board for high quality cut sheet output.

Martin Johns, market development manager, Pro Graphics, Epson UK says, “The line-up of Epson wide format inkjet printers at Sign & Digital 2012 gives POS and signage companies the ability to select the best solution for their business. The combination of Epson engineering, advanced Micro Piezo printhead technology, wide choice of media, UltraChrome inks, ease of operation, and all round low cost of ownership deliver a powerful production tool that is opening up new value-added business opportunities for companies.”

For more infomation on Epson, please visit www.epson.com

Graphics & Exhibitions Ltd has bought two new HP DesignJet L25500 printers from CWE Solutions.  The printers were purchased to enable the company to benefit from the outdoor graphics capabilities.  The L25500s also enable Graphics & Exhibitions Ltd to offer reliability and UV stability in all print projects.

Previously, the graphics firm used two Mimaki wide format printers, the SP160 and SP1240 models. However, these printers were unable to work with UV-stable inks, so the company decided to replace them. Having used the HP 5000 printers for many years, the decision to buy the L25500 was an easy one.

Nigel Carter, managing director of Graphics & Exhibitions Ltd, explains, “HP printers are ultra reliable but the model we had did not support outside printing graphics. It was only when we met with CWE Solutions that we released the many advantages of HP latex printing, and the huge range of media it can be used on. This is why we decided to replace the Mimaki machines with these two L25500 printers, and it’s really widened the scope of applications we now offer clients."

He continues, “These latex ink-based printers come with a number of other benefits too, including the fact we can change the print heads ourselves and no longer need to call out engineers for this task. Keeping the machines running is much easier now, plus when we get a big project, having two of the same models means we can just split the work across both machines and get the work done in half the time.”

Over the past 18 years that Graphics & Exhibitions Ltd has been in business, the print sector has undergone quite a few changes. Mr Carter cited the move outdoors as among the biggest changes: “Everything seems to have moved to outdoor inks. Fortunately, with HP latex ink printers, we know that we can offer clients both print quality and graphics that can be placed indoors and outdoors.  Our new machines let us print materials using UV-stable inks which allow clients to install the graphics wherever they wish, without the worry of the image fading from sun exposure.”

One of the company’s most recent printing projects was for the Bar Barista Cafe, where graphics were created as part of a bigger project run in conjunction with Bridge Valley Beverages.

Mr Carter adds, “Despite the fact I’ve been running this company for almost 20 years now, I still really enjoy working in this sector. The fact each day is so varied, you never know what you’ll be working on from one month to the next, from graphics for exhibitions to retail shop fitting and signage – it’s definitely exciting work.”

For more information on CWE Solutions and HP latex printers, please visit www.cwesolutions.co.uk

[photo shows Bridge Valley Beverages - Bar Barista Hospital]