4walls is enhancing its growing décor production operation with the addition of the first EFI VUTEk GS2000LX Pro with UltraDrop Technology LED inkjet printer to feature clear ink.
Brian English, president of the Cleveland-based company, completed the deal on the first day of the SGIA Expo in Las Vegas, where the new LED-curable clear ink is being shown for the first time.
"Our team is thrilled to be the first with access to the advanced features in this new EFI VUTEk printer," said English. "We're excited to offer our clients new and unique design options and custom capabilities to ensure they continue to create one-of-a kind, amazing spaces."
4walls' new printer features EFI’s UltraDrop Technology, which offers smaller drop sizes and more precise control with native seven-picoliter print heads and true multidrop addressability in each dot position. The two-meter wide, hybrid roll/flatbed printer prints in eight colours, plus white and the new clear ink, providing high apparent resolution and high-definition quality with four-level grayscale and two ink density levels.
The printer’s "cool cure" LED curing capabilities will give 4walls the benefit of lower energy costs with decreased power consumption, as well as greater colour consistency. It will also give 4walls the ability to print on a broader range of substrates, including media that cannot withstand the heat required in UV-cure or latex inkjet printing.
EFI first introduced clear ink in one of its UV-cure VUTEk models in 2014. This year's SGIA Expo marks the first time this award-winning offering has been available in a LED-curing printer. Using this unique feature, 4walls can quickly and efficiently include flood or spot clear coat enhancements while simultaneously printing high-end décor work, eliminating the time and expense required to add special varnishes or coatings after printing.
"For nearly two decades, 4walls has taken industrial wide-format digital graphics printing well beyond its traditional role in advertising and marketing, creating new possibilities with décor that reflect the immediacy, versatility and quality possible with inkjet," said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president, worldwide sales and marketing, EFI. "We look forward to helping Brian and his team take that level of innovation to the next level using our proven, premium-quality VUTEk GS series technology."
