Hardware - Wide Format Print

Roland DG (UK) has announced the arrival of its VersaSTUDIO BN-20 print and cut solution which sits on a desktop yet offers many of the proven benefits of the company’s renowned VersaCAMM VS series. This new and innovative system brings durable Eco-Sol Max inks, a versatile metallic option and integrated precision contour cutting to a compact and affordable solution which is easy and profitable to use.

“This is the very first low-cost print and cut desktop machine in the world, and its inclusion of metallic ink brings all the advantages formerly only found in a wide-format system within reach of everyone who wants to create and produce innovative output,” states Adam Wyles, Business Manager – Promo, Screen and Textile at Roland DG. “Competitively priced, very low running costs and simplicity of operation are certain to make the VersaSTUDIO BN-20 an instant best-seller across the board. Anyone can use it – it really is that simple to design and generate high quality professional results that easily match the results from far more expensive platforms.”

With a maximum print width of 20 inches (51cm), the Roland VersaSTUDIO BN-20 is a rugged plug-and-play solution that produces very high quality output with smooth graduated tints and strong, dense solid colours, making it ideal for photographic and vector output. Available in two options of four-colour and CMYK plus metallic ink, users can generate graphic output onto a vast range of coated and uncoated materials, with precision contour cutting making it ideal for the production of labels, stickers and other applications where complex designs and shapes are required.

Roland’s renowned Eco-Sol Max inks feature fast drying of output with a wide colour gamut and tough scratch and scuff resistance. Low costs per square metre are complemented by odourless prints and a three-year outdoor life without lamination, and the BN-20 can be operated in any commercial, retail small office or home office environment.

The addition of metallic inks to the CMYK ink set means that value-added applications can be produced quickly and easily direct to a wide range of materials. Pearlescent and metallic colours can be produced via Roland’s VersaWorks print production software which incorporates the ability to reproduce more than 1,000 standard shades and 512 metallic options.

Plug-and-play connectivity makes it simple for both novice and experienced users alike to benefit from the high quality output produced by the VersaSTUDIO BN-20. Its long-life inks and fine results, plus its metallic options and integrated precision cutting, combine to open the doors to a vast number of users who, until now, haven’t been able to justify the purchase of an advanced inkjet printer.

The extremely low investment point and tough construction also make the VersaSTUDIO BN-20 an invaluable workhorse for businesses who want to reap the benefits of producing smaller format applications. By adding this compact system to existing print shops, production from their larger inkjet units doesn’t have to be disrupted, resulting in greater efficiencies and optimised printing schedules.

Despite its low purchase price, Roland’s VersaSTUDIO BN-20 benefits from the features found in the VersaCAMM VS series, including the company’s award-winning Eco-Sol Max inks which offer up to three-year outdoor durability, fast drying times and a very broad colour gamut.

The addition of metallic effects and finishes matches those which formerly could only be achieved via hot foil blocking, screen-printing or offset litho production. Lengthy make-ready and cost penalties incurred when setting up special colours is eradicated as the BN-20 can print one-offs and short runs just as quickly and efficiently as personalised multiples and repeat batches.

Included with the VersaSTUDIO BN-20 is Roland R-Works design software which creates photographic and vector-based jobs quickly and easily for perfect output every time. Roland’s VersaWorks professional print management software also enables users to benefit from variable data printing for customised production which is ideal for labels, invitations, name cards, badges and other items where individual data is required.

Brett Newman, Technical Director of Roland DG (UK), comments: “Market trends show us that there is a new level of end user that wants the convenience of being able to produce high quality, full-colour jobs and metallic finishes in-house. These people, and others, have simply been waiting for the right technology to become available and we’ve developed the VersaSTUDIO BN-20 to address the growing demand for bringing the benefits of wide format technology to the desktop.”

The Roland VersaSTUDIO BN-20 is a true plug-and-play solution that enables users to be up and running immediately, producing a vast range of colour and metallic effect products. Typical applications include labels, decals, heat transfers, promotional signs and displays, point-of-sale and fine art, although the final output is limited only by the imagination of the user.

For further information on the new VersaSTUDIO BN-20 click here to visit the Roland DG (UK) website.

HP is presenting the latest additions to its latex printing technologies portfolio to boost productivity and expand application versatility for print service providers on its stand, Hall A4/Stand C40-C41 at FESPA Digital.

The new offerings, showcased on the stand, deliver high image quality while lowering the impact of printing on the environment. These include:

• The HP Scitex LX850 Printer, a 3.2m (126in) latex ink printer that delivers maximum versatility and productivity with multiple workflow features, including dual-roll, roll-to-free fall and roll-to-collector handling and an ink collector
• The HP Scitex LX820 Printer, a 3.2m (126in) latex ink printer that offers high productivity at a lower price in a roll-to-roll configuration
• HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks that produce rich blacks and glossy results on banners and self-adhesive vinyl, and offer improved water resistance on fabrics(1,2)
• HP PVC-free Wall Paper (availability scheduled for June 1) is now made with FSC®-certified(3) paper from well-managed forests and is GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified, enabling customers to offer bold, colourful indoor murals without distracting odours(4,5)
• HP also offers new software to help streamline workflows, including HP SmartStream Designer Version 5.1 for creating, preparing and collating personalised campaigns from HP Scitex printers and the GMG ColorServer Suite, a colour management software from HP Solutions Business Partner GMG for HP Scitex large format printers.

“These additions to our portfolio mark the next development in what has proven to be a revolutionary technology platform for the sign and display market,” said Yariv Avisar, vice president and general manager, Scitex Large Format Solutions, HP. “With more than 5,000 HP Latex Ink systems installed worldwide, HP is offering customers the competitive advantages needed to differentiate their businesses and capture new growth opportunities.”

HP Scitex LX850 and LX820 Printers boost productivity

Delivering high image quality at fast production speeds, the HP Scitex LX850 Printer allows customers to accelerate their large format workflows. The device also enables customers to expand their application versatility with a built-in ink collector for direct-to-fabric printing(2) on flag fabrics. A scaled-down version of the HP Scitex LX850 Printer, the new HP Scitex LX820 Printer, is available with an optional dual-roll kit upgrade.

“We print approximately 4,000 to 5,000 square metres a month, and while we didn’t lack output capacity, competition remains fierce and profit margins have been squeezed,” said Jose Año, general manager at Marc Marti, a Valencia, Spain-based print service provider. “The HP Scitex LX850 Printer’s versatility gives us extraordinary image quality on a range of economical, uncoated media and substrates, while differentiating our products from those using solvent-based inks.”

Both the HP Scitex LX850 and LX820 Printers work together with the new HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks. Alternatively, customers can install HP 3M LX600 Specialty Latex Inks(6) to offer graphics backed by the 3M™ MCS™ Warranty, one of the most comprehensive warranties in the industry. The warranted durability period for vehicle graphics made with the HP 3M LX600 Specialty Latex Inks and 3M media has been extended from four years to five years by 3M, and the 3M Panagraphics™ III Wide Width Flexible Substrate has been added.

The HP Scitex LX850 Printer is now available and the HP Scitex LX820 Printer is expected to be available on June 1.(7) 

HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks offer proven quality, durability

Capable of producing eye-catching images with rich blacks and glossy results on banners and self-adhesive vinyl, the new HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks continue to set the standard for high-quality sign and display output. The inks produce prints with display permanence and scratch, smudge and water resistance comparable to low-solvent inks.(8) Plus, the new formulation offers improved water resistance(1) on fabrics,(2) further expanding high-value soft signage application capabilities.

“The advantage of being able to print on textiles with the HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks is that, unlike dye sublimation, it’s just print and go,” said León Gateño, owner, Target Graphics, a Mexico City-based print service provider. “The upgrade process was very easy and we were printing right after the HP technician finished.”

Customers with HP Scitex LX600 or LX800 Printers(9) can benefit from the new inks – as well as double-sided printing capabilities(10) for blockout banners – by purchasing the HP Scitex LX610 Inks Upgrade Kit.

The HP Scitex LX610 Inks Upgrade Kit is available now and can be installed by an HP technician in one day.

Workflow solutions from HP and GMG facilitate VDP, colour management

HP SmartStream Designer is an easy-to-use application that generates variable data elements for marketing campaigns, such as images, text and colours, and is also a simple imposition tool for HP Scitex printers. The new HP SmartStream Designer Version 5.1 includes key improvements, such as HP Photo Enhancement to automatically improve variable images and the best fit feature, which optimises paper usage.

Designed for customers with complex requirements like multipress uniformity and colour standards, the GMG ColorServer Suite simplifies colour conversions between colour spaces using predefined HP Scitex printer settings for the HP Scitex FB7500, TJ8300 and TJ8500 Printers. GMG SmartProfiler software calibrates the output device and creates colour profiles for wide format printers. The GMG ColorServer Suite for HP Scitex printers is now available through GMG distributors and resellers.

In addition, HP’s Graphics Solution Business has extended its Print Care services to include the HP Scitex FB7500 and HP Scitex TJ Industrial products. HP Scitex Print Care is a set of tools and services that helps customers maintain uptime and smooth operations by anticipating technical issues, enabling remote diagnosis and providing performance information(11).

More information about HP’s sign and display printing solutions is available at www.hp.com/go/gsb, through the HP Graphic Arts Twitter feed and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts.

(1) Water resistance testing by HP Image Permanence Lab on a wide range of media using the ISO 18935 method. Results may vary based on specific media performance.
(2) For best results, textile applications should be printed on fabric that does not stretch. Performance may vary depending on media. Compatibility details are available from media suppliers.
(3) Trademark license code FSC-C017543.
(4) HP PVC-free Wall Paper printed with HP Latex Inks is GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified. Additional information is available at www.greenguard.org.
(5) Some substrates may have inherent odor.
(6) With HP 3M LX600 Specialty Latex Inks installed, the printer will no longer be compatible with HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks and double-sided printing capability is no longer available.
(7) Availability date may vary by region and is subject to change.
(8) HP image permanence and scratch, smudge and water resistance estimates by HP Image Permanence Lab on a range of media including HP printing materials. Additional information is available at www.hp.com/go/supplies/printpermanence.
(9) Compatibility with HP Scitex LX600 and LX800 and HP Designjet L65500 Printers requires service installation of the HP Scitex LX610 Inks Upgrade Kit. With the upgrade, the printer will no longer be compatible with HP 3M LX600 Specialty Latex Inks.
(10) For best results use blockout banner media intended for double-sided printing.
(11) HP Scitex Print Care is also available with the HP Scitex LX600 Printer, HP Scitex LX800 Printer and HP Scitex FB500 Printer.
 

Responding to customer requests, Epson has developed a Media Qualification Programme to create a database of recommended substrates and optimised ICC profiles.  The solution offers users of the Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 a ‘click and go’ solution for identifying recommended profiles, eliminating the need for creating profiles themselves or re-contacting the RIP vendor each time a different media type or brand is selected.
 
Working with independent profiling, qualification and testing company, Color Concepts, Epson has invited all media manufacturers producing products suitable for use with the Stylus Pro GS6000 to have their materials tested in order to create ICC profiles for each substrate. 
 
Color Concepts will test the substrates using RIP programmes suitable for use with the Epson Stylus Pro GS6000, with the test results then qualified by Epson. The results will form a live database that Epson customers can access at http://epson.color-base.com to instantly reference their media choice and to download the recommended profile settings for its use.
 
Martin Johns, Epson UK, said: “In developing this media database, Epson is striving to save its Stylus Pro GS6000 customers considerable time and effort when setting up profiles for selected media. 
 
“The database will also help ensure that our customers are getting the very best possible results from our printers.  By using qualified media and the recommended profiles associated with it, users will be able to ensure that their output is high-quality and accurate every time.”

Neolt, the specialist large format UV printer manufacturer, demonstrates the flexibility and quality of Xaar 1001 and Xaar Proton printheads with its X-JET and AsterJET UV printers at FESPA Digital (Hall A3, Booth A50, Hamburg Messe, Germany, 24 - 27 May 2011). The company also launches the innovative Neolt Industrial Inkjet Module (NIIM) at the show. This module, which is a complete inkjet printhead engine, features Xaar 1001 printheads and is aimed at companies wishing to develop their own specialist industrial inkjet systems.  

Versatile entry-level and high-end Neolt UV printers

On show at the Neolt stand this year is the flat-bed Neolt X-JET. This is a high-end, high-performance hybrid UV printer equipped with advanced, low maintenance Xaar 1001 printheads featuring Xaar's unique TF Technology. 

An easy-to-use, versatile and cost-effective machine, available in 2.05m and 3.2m widths, the X-JET prints at up to 90sqm/hour onto a wide range of roll-to-roll and rigid media. Developed to maximise productivity at the highest quality, the X-JET boasts many unique technical solutions such as Neolt's in-house developed innovative ink re-circulation system. This accurately controls ink temperature and flow rates for each colour, including those with high solids such as white. It ensures inks are jetted reliably, consistently and with optimum efficiency to reduce potential waste and cost.

Also on show will be the Neolt AsterJET series of hybrid UV printers, a popular choice for companies wishing to print high-volume indoor and outdoor graphics on flexible and rigid media at the highest levels of quality and speed with maximum cost-effectiveness and low cost of ownership. Available in a choice of 1.65m and 2.2m widths and in either four or six colours, the AsterJET has been designed as an affordable alternative to solvent printing and is aimed at companies who wish to add UV printing to their range of services. 

At FESPA Digital the 2.2m width AsterJET 2200 will be printing CMYK+ white and demonstrating the benefits of its two innovative media transport systems: a patented rotating vacuum cylinder for flexible media and a vacuum moving bar for rigid substrates up to 50mm thickness. 

In order to give customers excellent and consistent print performance, the AsterJET incorporates 54mm wide-swathe Xaar Proton binary printheads which features Xaar's latest "chevron" piezo actuator combined with the innovative nozzle processing methods from the revolutionary Xaar 1001.
The 1.65m width AsterJET 1650 will be featured on the TechnoPlot Booth (Hall A1, Booth D51). TechnoPlot is Neolt's new German distributor. FESPA marks the start of the cooperation between the two companies and an important part of Neolt's strategy to strengthen its presence across Europe.

NIIM brings the inkjet advantage to any industrial process

Designed for heavy-duty printing on a wide selection of materials for industrial applications, the NIIM is suitable for single-pass printing applications which require high linear printing speeds at high quality. The modular architecture of the system allows it to be configured to suit specific requirements, with varying printhead quantities, versatile colour configurations and ink chemistries. 

Sergio Ferrari, Neolt's managing director, comments:  "Our cooperation with Xaar is a real technological partnership and has helped us enormously to push forward our product development. Our joint knowledge and experience result in products which not only are highly marketable, but which also offer significant profit opportunities to our end users."

 

Nutan Printers is a friendly, family-run commercial litho printing business based in the heart of Leicester. The company has 30 years experience delivering a range of printed material and promotional items to customers ranging from small local businesses to large, multinational corporations. Nutan also provides services for local trade printers as well as working with marketing departments and graphic designers throughout the UK and has developed a deep and commercial understanding of how print fits into the overall marketing communications mix.
 
Jatin Rathod of Nutan Printers, comments, “A number of elements need to combine to ensure the delivery of high quality commercial printing solutions: skilled craftsmen, sophisticated technology, effective quality control and strong project management. Nutan has invested heavily in all of these areas. We have the latest Heidelberg presses, which utilise state-of-the-art technology to ensure colour continuity across the entire range of our customers’ printed collateral, from business cards and letterheads, to corporate brochures, mailing packs and promotional leaflets. We aim to produce jobs in-house, streamlining them from start to finish to meet tight deadlines.” 
 
Over such a long time, Nutan Printers has been through the ups and downs of the market and has seen plenty of change in its industry. “The market has become very competitive because there are so many more printers out there striving for the same business. We have always focused on delivering quality so our growth has mainly been through word of mouth. We are currently looking to expand our web-based business in order to generate more revenue across a broader geographic region. We also have a team of sales people who are visiting businesses across the local and broader UK to generate new business.” explains Jatin.
 
Another way that Nutan has looked to increase business has been by introducing large format inkjet printing into its business workflow. Jatin says, “Several years ago, to provide digital proofs for our new plate imaging system, we purchased an Epson Stylus Pro 10600. We soon found that this printer could also deliver posters and point of sale displays quickly and easily and this became a new revenue stream for us. Having stepped into this area of the market, our sales team found that customers were asking more and more from us that was outside our traditional printing services.”
 
He continues, “Customers were asking us for a broader range of applications, including PVC banners, roller banners and window graphics that the 10600 couldn’t do and we were having to either turn this down or outsource it to third parties. Outsourcing made usless competitive in terms of price and we preferred to have complete control of the job anyway. Similarly, having to say to customers that we can’t do something means they will go somewhere else and that puts existing business in jeopardy. Our initial foray into inkjet soon led us to return to the market to find a suitable printer that would meet the growing demand for display graphics.”
 
The type of work they were being asked to do meant that Nutan needed tofind a solvent-based inkjet printer. “We looked at all the leading machines on the market, but felt there was either a lack of quality in the final output or a lack of capability when it came to support,” says Jatin, adding, “We had purchased an EFI RIP to help us streamline production with the 10600, from Random Choice Solutions and were pleased with their knowledge and service, so we talked to them again about a solvent-based printer. They showed us the Epson GS6000 and it was immediately clear that this printer was a different class.”
 
The Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 is  a 64” wide, roll-to-roll printer, suitable for a wide range of applications. The printer delivers the very highest print quality with vibrant colours and lifelike tones using 8-colour Epson UltraChrome™ GS solvent inks. This mild eco-solvent inks allow users to achieve exceptional image reproduction for all graphic display requirements, especially when printing on to vinyl or canvas. These inks produce vivid colours that other cmyk machines cannot achieve thanks to its orange and green inks. The GS6000 is easy on its users and the environment with solvent inks that are nickel-free, virtually odourless anddon't spread harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). This means the printer can be used safely in environments where special ventilation is not possible.
 
“Print quality was our main criteria, but the lack of smell was also important as it meant we didn’t need to have a specially ventilated area to house the printer,” says Jatin.
 
The GS6000 was installed in September 2010 and it was put to work immediately. “Pretty much all the work the 10600 was doing has been moved to the GS6000. It simply does it better, faster and more cost-effectively, which mean we are more competitive and win more business,” he says.
 
In addition to the printer, Nutan also purchased the Caldera RIP. “Caldera is an excellent product that really gets the most out of the printer,” says Jatin. “It has a function which measures the cost of materials and ink usage for each print, which allows to be spot on with our pricing and our competitive quoting. If someone rings up asking for a banner and he says he has been quoted a price elsewhere, Caldera helps us to see very quickly whether or not it is worth us quoting for that business. It is all very well winning business, but it needs to make money and by having a very accurate picture of the cost ofeach print allows us to be smarter and more profitable. ”
 
Hardi Rathod, Business Development Associate at Nutan Printers, adds, “The GS6000 very much complements our litho business and has extended our reach and capabilities for the market. We are now able to provide new services, such as window graphics and are looking at the possibility of wallpaper coverings. This is all business that we could not deliver before and means we can be a trueone-stop-shop for our clients’ printing requirements.”
 
In terms of support, Jatin has been more than happy with the service received from Random Choice and Colourgen. “Both companies have been very supportive in terms of installation and training and answering any questions we have had on the RIP. But in terms of the printer, support hasn’t really been an issue because we haven’t had any problems with it,” he says.
 
Overall Jatin is delighted with the Epson GS6000 and the Caldera RIP. “I definitely think we made the right choice. The printer is very easy to use and very reliable and the quality of the output is far above anything else we saw from other solvent printers. The feedback we get from our customers is always highly appreciative of the print quality and this is the most important element for us. It is an excellent print solution that has increased business for us and made us better able to support the broader printing requirements of ourcustomers.”

Canon UK, a world leader in imaging solutions, has launched two new high-speed colour large format printers – the 24 inch imagePROGRAF iPF6300S and 44 inch imagePROGRAF iPF8300S. Using Canon’s 8-colour LUCIA EX pigment ink system to deliver outstanding image quality, the two new models provide the perfect balance between quality, productivity and total cost of ownership (TCO), making them ideal for the production, proofing, photographic and in-house print markets.

The imagePROGRAF iPF6300S, successor to the iPF6000S, and the imagePROGRAF iPF8300S have been developed to complement Canon’s large format printer range, particularly the imagePROGRAF iPF6300, iPF6350, iPF8300 and iPF8000S. In addition to the superb black reproduction, wide colour gamut and exceptional scratch resistance that were acclaimed in the iPF6300, iPF6350 and iPF8300, the two new models feature higher print speeds and broad workflow compatibility, as well as lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO). A wider colour gamut enables the new models to be used in applications that require greater precision, while a colour profile designed for poster production gives them an advantage in producing vivid, eye-catching graphics.

Productivity is improved through a new mirrored nozzle layout and the option to print in ‘Fast’ mode, which enables the print speed to be as much as doubled, while still maintaining a level of print quality that rivals that in standard mode. This is a major advantage when producing output such as posters and point-of-sale (POS) display items, where turnaround is time-critical.

The printers also feature ‘Proof’, ‘Image’ and ‘Economy’ modes that enable the user to decide what level of image quality they need when printing. ‘Proof’ mode produces sharper text and lines, making it ideal for high-precision proof printing, while ‘Image’ mode enables high-precision printing of text and lines without a reduction in speed, making it a good choice for users for whom placement accuracy is less important than speed. ‘Economy’ mode reduces ink consumption by almost 50%, making it convenient for producing posters for internal use or checking layouts during test printing.

The new models are compatible with a broad range of major RIPs1, enabling users to integrate them into their existing workflows. Both models feature a 160GB built-in Hard Disk Drive, which enables storage of large print jobs that can be easily accessed from the printer’s user-friendly LCD panel. Productivity is further improved by Gigabit Ethernet compatibility, enabling fast data transfer, even for data-heavy files or high volume print jobs.

A host of features make both models easy to work with, even without extensive training, making them ideal for non-print businesses looking at bringing the printing of posters and display material in-house. The printer driver can be tailored to suit the user’s level of expertise and control of the print can be done from the large, bright LCD operation panel on the front of the printer. Together with the help of Canon’s print plug-in for Microsoft Office and PosterArtist LT software, which is bundled with the printers, even users unfamiliar with design can create professional-looking posters, display items, presentation charts and other large-format documents. The new version of the full PosterArtist package – PosterArtist V2.20 – is available separately. This supports Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, features new artwork and can be used with other Canon printers. For designers and photographers, the Canon print plug-in for Adobe® Photoshop® makes printing high-precision images edited in Adobe Photoshop possible.

The accounting functionality calculates pages printed and the associated costs, enabling the user to monitor printing costs while also helping them to understand and manage their paper usage. A number of new ‘alert’ features have also been designed to improve productivity. The iPF8300S gives an audio notification when the high capacity ink tanks need to be replaced, something that can be done during a print job on both models, thanks to Canon’s ‘Hot Swap’ ink system. In addition, email notifications can be sent to the user’s computer or mobile phone when jobs are finished, when errors occur and when it’s time to replace consumables, helping to minimise downtime.

 “The imagePROGRAF iPF6300S and iPF8300S are comprehensive solutions for the easy, timely and high quality production of proofs, photographs, posters and POS display material,” comments Gill Mussell, LFP Product Manager, Canon UK. “These new additions to our large format range will enable Canon to expand its share of the large format print market and take advantage of the new opportunities offered by the growing demand for large format printing solutions in-house.”

The imagePROGRAF iPF6300S and iPF8300S are now available in the UK and Ireland.