Latest News about Large Format Printing
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Publishing
Company: CREACT, Spain; editor in chief: Susanne Aschoff
Wednesday, 22. December 2004
Dear
readers,
Yes, this
is the last newsletter in 2004. On behalf of the entire team I like to thank
you, our readers and subscribers and of course all the people frequently
downloading the newsletter, for your interest and your trust. The audience is
becoming bigger and bigger. People from everywhere in the world access our web
page.
MANY
THANKS!! The resonance we got over the last month will motivate us to continue
our work also next year, maybe we even will expand our services. We will keep
you informed, nevertheless, whenever you miss something, need support in any
way, like to publish news from your company, do not hesitate to mail.
Merry
Christmas and a happy new year!!
Sincerely
Yours
Susanne
Aschoff
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1) ColorSpan’s new 98sx
MacDermid ColorSpan debuted their new DisplayMaker 98sx wide-format solvent inkjet printer at the USSC SignWorld USA exposition in Atlantic City. Based on the design of the DisplayMaker 72s Gator, the new printer, ElonGator, accommodates media up to 250 cm (98”) wide. An optional set of roller tables is available for feeding rigid flat sheets up to 6.35 mm thick. ElonGator prints at speeds up to 700 sq ft per hour at 600 x 300 dpi and up to 438 sq ft per hour in 600 x 600 dpi. DisplayMaker 98sx uses sixteen 600 dpi Micro-Quad piezo-electric printheads and ColorSpan’s SolaChrome-HR solvent pigmented inks to produce high-quality POP displays, outdoor-durable signs, banners, vehicle graphics and much more on inexpensive uncoated media. The self-cleaning printhead service station uses an on-board solvent cleaning solution to ensure the printer is available to print on demand without the typical start-up maintenance associated with solvent printers. ColorSpan’s Automation Eye technology uses an on-board image sensor and built-in spectrophotometer to automate the setup and calibration steps critical for achieving and maintaining print quality, while extending the useful life of the printheads. Optionally, users can configure the DisplayMaker 98sx with two 91cm and 244 cm roller tables that attach to the front and rear of the printer it can accommodate rigid sheets up to 60” in length 98” in width and up to 6.35 mm thick.
More information: www.colorspan.com
2) BeDigital at Graphintro/Barcelona
At the next Graphintro in Barcelona from
2nd to 5th of February 2005, BeDigital will present new
large format printers. Both are impressive with their high quality and
effectiveness. At first, there will be the Virtu RS25. It works with piezo drop
on demand inkjet, 36 printheads, and bi-directional. The Virtu RS25 prints in a
resolution up to 600 x 760 dpi in four-color CMYK or in six-color CMYK LC/LM.
White is available for the combination CMYK Ww. It accepts flexible media as
well as rigid and admits all kind of materials in maximum 75 mm thickness. The
impression speed is 150 qm (1 pass/300 dpi, 4 colors), 43 qm (2 pass/600 dpi, 6
colors), and 32 qm (3 pass/600 dpi, 6 colors). The second BeDigital offer at
Graphintro is the Dominó. This large format UV-printer uses piezo-electric
printheads and prints with UV curable inks in a resolution of 360 dpi. It
admits all type of rigid and flexible materials in maximum thickness of 40 mm,
up to 2 m width.
More information: www.llumicolor.com
3) NUR Expedio 5000 available
NUR Macroprinters has completed the tests for the new NUR Expedio 5000 wide-format UV inkjet production printer and begun worldwide commercial shipments. The NUR Expedio 5000 is a new 5-meter/16-feet superwide inkjet production printer that uses UV-curable inks. The NUR Expedio is the first roll-feed wide-format inkjet printer equipped with UV-curable inks. The speed, quality, environmental friendliness, and ability to print on virtually any media mean that the new NUR Expedio 5000 has the potential to revolutionize the wide-format production printing market. The machine can print eight-color in a resolution of 720 dpi, offers high quality indoor signage for close-up viewing, as well as billboards and other superwide applications at super-fast speeds up to 150 sqm/h (1600 square feet) – making it both productive and exceptionally versatile. Its multi-roll printing capability even further increases productivity. The printer’s use of UV-curable inks eliminates the need of costly solvent disposal equipment and addresses the requirements of environmental regulations imposed in some areas. The UV-curable inks also mean the machine will not require expensive, specially coated substrates for good ink adhesion. The printer is now available.
More information: www.nur.com
4) Inca Spyder for Premier Aspects
Cardiff screen printer Premier Aspects took delivery of one of Europe’s first Spyder flatbed inkjet printers from Cambridge-based Inca Digital Printers, and the company is so confident of the Spyder’s potential performance that it has placed an order for a second machine. Premier Aspects is one of the UK’s leading specialists in printing the glass panels used in gaming and amusement machines. The order demonstrates how the recently launched Spyder will take Inca into new markets. At the same time, Premier Aspects is planning to use the Spyder to win greater work from sectors such as point-of-sale and display. The Spyder enables the company to offer their customers something significantly different and ends a search for a suitable digital print solution that has gone on for more than two years, as Premier Aspects director Paul Hunter explained. He continued: “The Spyder is the first machine that we have seen that allows us to achieve what our customers require – it ticks all the boxes – and allows us to deliver our products quicker, cheaper, at a much higher resolution and in sensible sized batches.” During their research, Paul Hunter and his technical team spent more than 100 hours at Inca’s factory, testing the Spyder on every material the company has to handle.
More information: www.incadigital.com
5) ONYX GRAPHICS reviews to a succesful year 2004
Continuing a tradition of strong market leadership and innovative
product development, Onyx Graphics ends 2004 with a review of the year's
highlights: For the fourth consecutive year, Onyx Graphics won multiple Digital
Imaging Marketing Association (DIMA) Digital Printer Shoot-Out Awards, which
were presented during the PMA trade show in Las Vegas in February. Onyx
Graphics also announced the availability of Onyx AutoUpdate, a free companion
application to Onyx 6.0 software, in May 2004. AutoUpdate checks the installed
version 6.0 software settings and automatically downloads any needed updates.
Onyx Graphics was also awarded approval to integrate PANTONE® Color definitions
into Onyx 6.0 software in September. This added capability offers Onyx users a
fully automated PANTONE Color function and saves operators time by eliminating
manual input of color definitions. The Onyx Graphics European office, headed by
Thomas Degenfeld, added two team members to its staff. Hana André, Sales &
Marketing, now handles all marketing programs to support Onyx Graphics' dealer
networks in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Bart Buckinx also joined the
team as Technical Sales Manager, now providing technical services to Onyx
Graphics' dealer networks in the region. Onyx Graphics is committed to
increased customer satisfaction in 2005 with continuous Onyx 6.0 updates,
sustained market leadership, and excellent technical support.
More
information: www.onyxgfx.com
6) Winner: EFI’s Colorproof XF
EFI has announced that its groundbreaking new proofing solution, Colorproof XF, outperformed all ICC-based competitors at the 4th Digital Proofing Forum, held in Stuttgart. The Digital Proofing Forum featured twelve vendors and 19 proofing configurations. EFI Colorproof XF with Best technology has won all along the line. The winner achieved the best color accuracy results within the demanding FOGRA measurement tolerances of any ICC-based solution. Colorproof XF delivered flawless Altona Test Suite prints, the standard industry test file used to verify color accuracy and PDF/X compliance of digital proofing systems. Outputting flawless prints, especially the Altona Technical page, proves the powerful capabilities of Colorproof XF to interpret PDF/X and PostScript files and achieve the highest level of image processing possible. The ICC profile specification provides a cross-platform device profile format to translate color data created on one device into another device’s native color space. The new open cross-platform color management system works with any profiling solution that creates ICC profiles. EFI Colorproof XF is available from certified EFI dealer and reseller partners worldwide. EFI plans to provide a wide format production version of Colorproof XF in 2005.
More information: www.efi.com
7) GMG ColorProof 04 goes into the “Zone”
Since installing a GMG ColorProof 04 proofing and color management solution, specialist repro house Zone Graphics has converted its analogue DuPont Cromalin-dominated proofing service to a digital inkjet proofing service with impressive cost and time savings. Zone Graphics has enabled the company to launch a new limited edition print service for artists. Zone is considering being one of only a few companies in the country to provide the full gamut of services including drum and flatbed scanning. The company prides itself at being at the cutting edge of innovation hence its investment in a GMG ColorProof 04 proofing solution earlier this year and a B1 CTP system in 2002. At Zone GMG ColorProof has been calibrated to replicate their Cromalin standard and customers have been more than happy to accept the new state of the art digital proofing system. Now more than 70 percent of proofs produced by the company are processed by the GMG ColorProof/Epson system. Confidence in the quality generated by this system has encouraged Zone Graphics to launch a new service, namely offering quality print for artists and photographers.
More information: www.gmgcolor.com
8) Fuji Hunt offers Pro Bleach-Fix
Fuji Hunt is unique in developing the photochemical technology, which enables labs to obtain the best results from systems now at the cutting edge of imaging. Demonstrating this advance is the company’s latest innovation, Digital Pro Bleach-Fix. Prolabs, which use digital printers outputting to photographic paper with its CPRA Digital Pro Developer AC photochemistry, Fuji Hunt has extended this specialist formula with a new dedicated bleach-fix and a digital mixer. Having become the de facto product for use with these processing systems, the two-part Digital Pro Air Controlled developer, which already features a high activity, clean working, secured whiteness and enhanced definition, plus largely improved Dmax values on paper and display material, is fully complemented by the new CPRA Digital Pro Bleach-Fix AC. A two-part odour-free bleach-fix specifically designed to complement the CPRA Digital Pro Developer; this new Bleach-Fix AC is intended for use in medium and wide format paper processors. It has excellent resistance to oxidation in low throughput conditions, and guarantees the clean whites with which Digital Pro has become associated. Opening the opportunity for prolabs is not already converted to take advantage of the benefits of Digital Pro Developer AC, Fuji Hunt is running a special promotion whereby labs can give it a free trial run to see for themselves what a difference it will make to their output.
More information: www.fujihunt.com
9) MegaInk has a new supplier
There is now signed an
exclusive alliance between MegaInk’s North American Master Distributor, Full
spectrum Inks, and Ameriban, an American market leader in the distribution of
sign making and digital printing supplies. Full Spectrum Inks has signed a
large ink supply deal with Ameriban. The agreement marries Ameriban’s superior
customer service and commitments, Full Spectrum Inks’ vast array of value-added
support services and MegaInk’s line for full solvent, enhanced gamut inks into
one easy to deploy solution for users of Mimaki JV3, Roland SolJet, and
VersaCamm wide format printers. Under terms of the agreement, Ameriban became
the United States’ exclusive supplier of MegaInk’s ink system for the Mimaki
JV3 line printers. Just as exciting, Ameriban will also carry the MegaInk inks
for the other two lines of printers, making Ameriban a one-stop-shop for
complete and accurate digital printing for the most popular digital wide format
printers in America today. Included with each starter kit will be
over-the-phone installation assistance and color profiles for all of the
printing substrates carried by Ameriban, insuring the best possible printing
results.
More information: www.megaink.biz
10) TEPEDE offers 3 new media
The Netherlands-based TEPEDE Graphics B.V. offers with the start in January a new material named Film-Star Matt that can be printed on common solvent printers Seiko 64S, Mimaki JV3 and Mutoh Rockhopper II. Film-Star Matt is available in a thin (0,25 mm) and a thick (0,40 mm) version. Its high opacity, printing quality and durability makes it suitable for applications like pop-ups, roll-ups and photographs as well as for banners. Film-Star Matt fits up the expanding TEPEDE portfolio of solvent media. TEPEDE has ICC-profiled many of these products during the passed months. The company has added another two new media to the solvent range: BANNER 510, and the STRIP MESH. Both media offer ease of use and universal applications bundled with Fire Retardant B1. Especially for the outdoor use, TEPEDE introduced Banner 330. Banner 330 as well as Banner 510 is applicable outdoor up to five years.
More information: www.tepede.com
11) GBC expands in Arctic range
GBC Films Group Europe extends the offerings in its popular arctic range with Arctic High-Volume. It is an economical high-quality, pressure-sensitive film for heavy volume-users. The 70-micron PVC-based film is UV stabilized, thus extending the lifespan of printed materials. It works with inkjet, photographic digital print media. It is available in gloss or satin finish. GBC has developed the Arctic High-Volume specifically for indoor and short to medium term outdoor applications. Sized in widths up to 1550 mm, the new film maintains excellent flexibility and resistance. The pressure-sensitive film has a water-based adhesive and is free of solvents and cadmium. It is suitable for cold, pressure-sensitive laminating processes and compatible with all GBC wide-format laminating systems, like the Titan and Falcon range. Customers can use Arctic High-Volume in many different applications using media like photobase, paper, polyester, and vinyl. The launch of Arctic High-Volume will enable GBC to gain a stronger presence in the fast-growing market for pressure-sensitive films.
More information: www.gbcfilm.com
12) Printing Carpets with new technology
Printing on carpet is rather difficult. Users must find the right combination between advantages and disadvantages of print capacities, inks and substrates. Printing Carpets in Amsterdam says, it has found the right combination. The company in years past required a lot of time in developing the best carpet for print production companies, which will print on carpets. Now Printing Carpets sells exclusively for the digital and sublimation printing market a white carpet on a 3-inch core that can be used in production printing on solvent wide format devices. One of the printing production companies that uses and tests this carpet is Van Straaten in Boesingherliede, a famous silkscreen printer, and digital printer in the Netherlands. They use the white polyamide carpet on their NUR Blueboard. In the meantime, most of the European printer companies use the carpet from Printing Carpets BV. They deliver the carpets in different widths of 5.00, 4.00, 3.20, 1.80, and 1.60 meters and other sizes for special applications. The company has the exclusive distribution rights for this specially manufactures carpets within Europe.
More information: www.printingcarpets.com
13) FESPA 2005 Premier Award
The organizers have announced details of the FESPA 2005 Premier Award Competition, which reward excellence in screenprinting and wide-format digital imaging production. Now it includes new categories as the FESPA 2005 Premiere Awards reflect changes that have taken place recently in the screenprinting and wide-format digital printing industry. The awards ceremony will take place during FESPA 2005 from 31st May to 4th June. There are 21 categories in the Premier Awards, reflecting he changes in the market in recent years. They divided the categories into various sections covering Screenprinting, Textiles, Industrial, and Digital. The Industrial categories, which cover printing on substrates such as glass, ceramics, CDs, in-mould decoration etc, are open to companies that are not members either of FESPA or of their national screenprinting association. Categories are restricted to member companies. Companies can enter any number of categories within the Premier Awards, but the jury will accept no more than two entries in any one category. Entry forms are available from the FESPA website. Forms must be returned to FESPA by 29th April 2005 and the entries themselves must be submitted to FESPA between 19th April and 20th Mai 2005. The jury will judge the awards on the base of technical difficulty and quality. Design will have a low value and comes only into play as a “tie-breaker” between entries that the jury can otherwise not separate.
More information: www.fespa2005.com
14) IMI: Practice of Ink Jet Technology
The Practice of Ink Jet Technology is a four-day hands-on course that provides the chance to get the hands dirty. It is aimed at chemists and scientists who want to improve their level of inkjet practical expertise. The course is the chance to save months of moving up the learning curve by gaining knowledge rapidly on the four-day program. The course is hosted at Xennia’s advanced laboratories near Cambridge, UK, and is held from 14th to 18th of March 2005. The course includes for example technology demonstrations – DOD, piezo & thermal plus CIJ, introduction to ink design, practical ink making, filling processes, image quality studies, current developments and future trends, and inkjet surgery. All of this you will find it packed into a 4-day course held over 5 days. Numbers are strictly limited. Who is unable to attend the March course, the next one is scheduled for June 2005.
More information: www.imieurope.com
15) ColorGATE: New leaders join the team
ColorGATE, the leading supplier for color management and RIP solutions as well as software services, announced the engagement of Mark Berndt as OEM Sales Manager for the Asia-Pacific Region, and Dietmar Fuchs as Senior Color Specialist. Both professionals bring a wealth of graphic arts experience to Color GATE and its customers. They will be joining ColorGATE Digital Output Solutions GmbH as from January 1, 2005. The two new employees will strengthen the company, which has been steadily, and constantly growing. Mark Berndt graduated with a BA in International Relationships, and an MBA in International Management. He has more than eight years of marketing and sales Experience in the Asia Pacific region. He worked for six years at Onyx Graphics and two years for ColorSpan. Dietmar Fuchs attained a diploma in photo engineering. He has been product manager with the color management of GretagMacbeth at the LOGO GmbH. He is a member of ECI, founder of the “Arbeitskreis” PhotoGamut for efficient color workspaces for photography. From January 2005, onwards he will develop new concept for the marketing of Color GATE products.
More information: www.colorgate.com
You will get the next LFP-Newsletter.com at the end of
January 2005.
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