Hardware - Wide Format Print

Athena Graphics in Gent, Belgium, is one of the country's main players in providing prepress services for packaging printing. Its core business is the preparation of packaging print data for all print processes, and it puts a lot of energy into the research and development of the best possible proofing techniques.

To conquer the challenges of the diversity of substrates and spot colors in this sector, Athena Graphics has installed the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 printer with white ink along with GMG ColorProof. Proofing with white ink on transparent or metallic foils was not possible in packaging proofing. "This printing system is the best and most economic solution for contract packaging proofs," says Kenneth Hostyn, Proofing Manager at Athena Graphics.

Before Athena Graphics implemented the new proofing system, the technical procedure was quite different. There were several time and cost consuming steps to produce a packaging proof which simulated white color. With the new system it takes about 15 minutes to produce fully automatic and digital contract proofs with the Stylus Pro WT7900 and GMG's proofing software. GMG ColorProof exploits the entire color space of the printer and simulates spot colors like Pantone GOE colors within the tightest of tolerances.

"GMG software gives the ability to choose between reverse (print white last) or surface (print white first) printing," says Hostyn. "We can also adjust opacities and print white as a separate channel."

Athena Graphics has developed several web-based online tools for managing the company's projects. These include the implementation of automated workflows to facilitate communication with clients, and remote proofing at all its production sites and at clients all over the world. With the calibration and profiling technology of GMG, identical results all over the world and at any time are guaranteed. Digital proofing with the Stylus Pro WT7900 has already been included in these workflows which results in very satisfied customers.

GMG ColorProof support the new Stylus Pro WT7900 for producing contract proofs according to GMG's high quality standards in terms of color accuracy and reproducibility. ColorProof supports extensive handling of white ink channels, which can be changed in gradation and opacity. The white ink can be tinted to simulate any kind of white ink. These unique features allow the creation of packaging proofs using transparent materials such as PE/PET foils and for simulation of prints on metallic substrates. This includes even advanced proofing like the simulation of watermarks in the white area.

 

Océ magic hit prime-time television on Channel Five’s Gadget Show in the UK last night (1 March 2010) with the help of its pioneering Océ CrystalPoint™ technology. A stunt, which was filmed in London’s Covent Garden, showed how a card randomly chosen mysteriously turned up giant-sized and with the person’s name on it less than a minute later… being pulled along the road by a cyclist!

Little did the ‘punters’ know that Océ’s ColorWave™ 600 super-fast wide format printing system, the first product based on Océ CrystalPoint technology launched globally in May 2008, had produced the card in just over 30 seconds in an Océ van parked nearby. The mobile billboard was then towed past the stunned-looking crowd.

A long-range lens and thermal imaging equipment was also used for the trick shown to millions of viewers on the Gadget Show produced by NorthOne TV. The card had been pulled from a pack, ‘warmed up’ and then identified through the lens and thermal imaging equipment positioned secretly in a nearby building. Presenter Jason Bradbury even fooled magician Paul Zenon, who was invited along to guess how it was achieved. Before the trick, he told Bradbury: “I’d like to think that I’ve seen it all magic-wise but you never know. If you think it will fool me, all well and good but it’s a tough challenge.”

Afterwards Zenon conceded: “I don’t know how you pulled it off – full marks to you for this one!”

The stunt was sheer magic. Bradbury, long-time presenter on the Gadget Show, told viewers: “The final piece of the magic jigsaw falling into place was the super-fast printer. The Océ ColorWave 600 uses resin balls rather than ink, converted into a gel which is then jetted and crystallised on to the paper.”

The full story, which shows the Océ ColorWave 600 in action as well as providing details of the machine’s pricing and footage of the Océ logo, can be viewed on the following link: http://fwd.five.tv/gadget-show/blog/episode-5-magic-challenge.

Océ’s ColorWave 600 produces an A0 full colour sheet (one-square metre) in 34 seconds. It prints on to a wide range of medias, ranging from uncoated and recycled papers all the way through to specialties like Tyvek for maximum durability with its water resistant CrystalPoint finish. The Océ CrystalPoint process converts solid Océ TonerPearls™ into a gel that is then jetted and crystallised on to surfaces. The technology is environmentally friendly with no emissions of ozone, odour or fine powder and does not use liquids or solvents.

Ian Guiver, Océ UK’s ColorWave 600 Product Specialist, said: “Despite the fact that we had to get up at 3.30am to do the filming on a bitterly cold morning in February, it was fantastic fun and gave Océ the chance to demonstrate its world-beating capabilities with a product that is quite literally taking the market by storm. Millions of viewers were shown how this amazing trick was done with the help of Océ.”

 

 

 

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging and advanced office solutions, today answers the increasing demand for large format prints in the photographic, proofing and graphic arts market with the introduction of three new imagePROGRAF large format models - the 44-inch imagePROGRAF iPF8300, 24-inch imagePROGRAF iPF6350 and the iPF6300. Designed for precise, ultra high-quality print performance and increased productivity, each model features Canon's new, 12-colour LUCIA EX pigment ink set and advanced printing technologies specifically developed to produce prints with an enhanced colour range and improved durability. The new imagePROGRAF models will be unveiled at the Wedding & Portrait Photographer International (WPPI) Convention at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, March 8-11, 2010.

"In just four short years, Canon has introduced more than 20 imagePROGRAF large format printers to the market with each new model raising the bar for outstanding, vibrant image quality and overall versatility," said Jim Rosetta, vice president and general manager, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A. "Coupled with our new LUCIA EX ink set and advanced media capabilities, the new imagePROGRAF models represent an ideal solution for the graphic, fine art, photography and proofing markets."

Enhanced colour Spectrum

With increasing consumer demand for professional and high-quality print jobs, high-end graphic and photographic studios continue to seek the capability to accurately produce vivid output of consumers' most demanding projects. To enhance its available colour spectrum, the new imagePROGRAF models feature a revolutionary all-new 12-colour LUCIA EX pigment ink set increasing the achievable colour gamut by approximately 20 percent from the previous imagePROGRAF iPFx100 series and enabling over 90 percent coverage of PANTONE ® (*) colours to produce rich expression. Additionally, to better meet the needs of the professional print market, the new models feature a reinforced mechanical structure to enable precise ink placement for improved text and line accuracy, making these new devices a powerful proofing solution.

Exquisite Photographic Output

The introduction of the new LUCIA EX ink provides photographers with the ability to precisely achieve their desired results by producing more expressive and crisp blacks, smooth colour gradations, and the capability to reproduce the finest details in the shadow areas of photographs. The new inks are also designed with an innovative polymer structure that results in greater scratch resistance and protection from colour fading, while also reducing bronzing and metamerism ensuring durable, stable output.

Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR), the world's leading independent image permanence testing laboratory, has been evaluating the new Canon LUCIA EX expanded-gamut, 12-colour pigment inks. Henry Wilhelm, president of WIR commented, "A review of preliminary data from the still ongoing tests indicates that prints made with LUCIA EX pigment inks and select photo and fine art papers will achieve WIR Display Permanence Ratings in excess of 75 years for colour images and well beyond 200 years for black-and-white images. In addition, LUCIA EX pigment inks exhibit excellent short-term colour drift ("dry-down") behavior, which is critically important for colour-managed workflows and in proofing applications. The new LUCIA EX inks also achieved WIR's highest rating for resistance to damage from atmospheric ozone, a particular concern in urban environments in situations where prints might be displayed unframed and exposed to ambient indoor air."

Simplified Workflows

Recognising the expanding array of media options for large format printers and to further improve the versatility of these new imagePROGRAF models, Canon has developed a new Media Configuration Tool which allows customers to not only utilise genuine Canon-branded media, but provides the ability to add and make adjustments to paper settings to enhance the precision and quality of output achieved with third-party media. Upon release of the new printer, ICC profiles of popular media types from Intelicoat, Ilford, LexJet and Moab will be available for download on their respective corporate Web sites.

To expand print options and improve proofing capabilities, the iPF8300, iPF6350 and iPF6300 come bundled with a new Print Plug-In for Photoshop®, Digital Photo Professional and support for Adobe colour Management Module, enabling features such as Black Point Compensation. Through the Photoshop Plug-In, each new model allows 16-bit RGB images edited in Photoshop to be sent directly to the imagePROGRAF printers, preserving smooth and high gradation.

Brian Hampton, an award-winning nature photographer printing with a Canon imagePROGRAF for the first time stated, "The quality of the print is amazing. I was particularly impressed by the iPF8300's ability to reproduce shadow details in a way that exceeds anything I've seen previously on the market. It's quite a step above the competition." Hampton also noted the built-in workflow solutions and commented, "The ability to export out of Photoshop via the plug-in is outstanding. Many of its capabilities perform as well as an RIP program without the additional cost."

Maximize Productivity

In order to support high-volume printing and streamline workflows the Canon iPF8300 and iPF6350 come equipped with an 80 GB high-capacity hard disk drive (HDD) that allows for faster spooling of large files as well as the ability to reprint jobs directly from the printer. To ensure the highest level of productivity and reduce overall print time, all new models are also equipped with a standard gigabit Ethernet network interface and an automatic dual-blade cutter.

In those environments that utilise a complete workflow solution in conjunction with CGS, EFI, Ergosoft, GMG, ONYX and other leading RIP manufacturers, updated drivers will be available for download upon the release of the printers from their respective Web sites.

Precision Technology

To fully capitalise on the dynamic colour range of the new LUCIA EX ink set, each new imagePROGRAF model employs two advanced one-inch print heads, each featuring 2,560 nozzles per colour and outputting a super fine four picoliter (pl) droplet at a full 2400x1200 dots-per-inch resolution (dpi) to reproduce details with extraordinary accuracy and clarity. Paired with enhanced plug-ins and new, High Precision Printing Modes, these new imagePROGRAF models provide an extremely high level of photographic and proofing quality prints.

The new imagePROGRAF iPF8300, iPF6350 and iPF6300 are compliant with U.S. ENERGY STAR energy-saving standards and RoHS compliance standards. The new Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8300, iPF6350 and iPF6300 large format printers will be on display at WPPI booth 401 in Las Vegas, NV from March 8-10, 2010. The imagePROGRAF iPF8300/6350/6300 will start shipping in March for a manufacturers suggested retail price of $5,995, $3,995 and $3,695, respectively.

 

 

 

Large format inkjet printer & sign cutting plotter manufacturer Mutoh Europe nv announces that it will exhibit at the Sign & Digital UK exhibition (April 13th - 15th, NEC, Birmingham, United Kingdom).

Several new products will be showcased at the Mutoh booth (D22). “Mutoh Europe recognizes the importance of the Sign & Digital UK show as a key industry event for the sign and commercial print community in the United Kingdom,” says Arthur Vanhoutte, Mutoh Europe’s Managing Director.

“We intend to set up a central platform at Sign UK 2010 where Mutoh’s latest wide format printer and signcutting plotter technology will be displayed. Sign UK visitors will be welcomed by Mutoh Europe and our UK channel partners having a direct link to our Belgium factory. We intend to showcase several new products that will be presented for the first time ever in the UK” Vanhoutte concludes.

 

NEW MUTOH PRODUCTS AT SIGN UK 2010

At Sign & Digital UK 2010, Mutoh will display its entire range of wide format inkjet printers (eco solvent, bio solvent, mild solvent, solvent, UV, dye sublimation, textile) and professional signcutting plotters.

 

Several new products will be demonstrated :

Kona cutting plotter series

Kona is a high-performance cutting plotter series designed for professional sign cutting applications.

Enabling the finest cutting quality with excellent tracking, the Mutoh Kona cutting plotters are available in three widths, i.e. Kona 760 (39”), Kona 1400 (64”) and Kona 1650 (74”), offering a cutting range of respectively 30”, 55” and 64”.

The affordable Kona cutters are equipped with several new features promoting extra user comfort, such as a full-colour 3.5” LCD touch screen, a newly designed automatic sheet-off mechanism, as well as a “dual” roll support system. Media support rollers allow handling of regular vinyl. A second roll-off system is available for contactless handling of pre-printed rolls. This will avoid damage to freshly printed rolls.

 

Zephyr UV inkjet printer

Developed and manufactured in Belgium, the Zephyr is a CMYK 64” (165 cm) professional UV inkjet printer for roll-to-roll and rigid board printing up to a thickness of 20 mm. For roll printing, the machine incorporates a motorised unwinder/winder system with dancer bars for media rolls up to 100 kg. For rigid printing, media transport tables can be placed at the back and in front of the machine. Switching between rigid and roll printing is done in a trice.

The printer utilises Mutoh proprietary flexible UV inks, specifically tuned for roll-to-roll & rigid printing.

Viper TX Extreme direct textile printer

For users wanting to print directly onto a wide selection of textiles such as polyester, cotton & silk, Mutoh will present the Viper TX Extreme, available in 65” (1651 mm) and 88” (2240mm) widths. Viper TX Extreme offers typical production speeds up to 37 m²/h.

Utilising VOC free water based direct disperse inks, Viper TX Extreme printers will print on textile with open and closed structure and are suited for low-cost high-quality sample creation (one-offs) as well as small production volumes.

 

For more information on Mutoh Europe and its products, visit www.mutoh.eu

 

 

EFI announced today EFI XF 4.1 (EFI XF Colorproof and EFI Fiery XF) for Epson Stylus Pro WT7900, offering an advanced solution for packaging proofing. New features include easy and flexible white ink handling on difficult substrates such as transparent and metallic media, contone and dot proofing, accurate spot colour reproduction, easy printer linearisation and profiling, and multiple printer support. EFI Colorproof XF 4.1 also supports ISO 12647-7 compliant proof validation on any opaque proofing media including automatic proof verification with the onboard SpectroProofer measurement device. EFI Colorproof XF 4.1. supports all the high-quality features of Epson Stylus Pro WT7900, allowing a greater return on investment.

"EFI Colorproof XF 4.1 capabilities takes printers, such as the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900, to a new level of accuracy and ease for packaging proofing," said Stefan Spiegel, general manager of EFI Graphic Arts Solutions. "A number of top level customers have already put the combination of EFI XF 4.1 and the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 to the test. They tell us the results they achieve give them an edge over the competition in terms of both customer satisfaction and profitability."

White Ink Handling

Advanced white ink handling includes adjustable white ink density; white tinting, definable in CMYK to match the appearance of white on the press; definable printing order (color on white, white on color or surface print and reverse print); selectable white ink printing modes (bounding box, image areas only or white spot color channel only); opacity simulation for transparent media; support of multiple white channels and support for up to two control strips printable with and without white.

EFI XF 4.1 for the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 comes pre-installed with output profiles for all Epson proofing media including ClearProof and CrystalClear Film. It supports the latest Windows 7 and Mac OS 10.6 operating systems.

"The media flexibility of the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 with EFI XF Solutions is remarkable. The output quality in terms of spot color accuracy and dot quality on both transparent and metallic media as well as white-ink handling is the best I've seen," said Mario Levers, head of production for Toppack Summen & Bergs GmbH, a leading provider of brand solutions based in Ahaus, Germany.

Additional Key Features

 

• Automatic linearisation, profiling, optimisation and calibration (with definable calibration intervals) to perfectly set up and maintain the system (software & printer & substrate)
• Automatic printing and inline-verification of proof without user interaction
• Automatic job-specific analysis and optimisation with Dynamic Wedge  - a dynamically created control strip containing the job key colours (including spot colours) for verification and  job specific optimization.
• Automatic media wedge measuring of up to two wedges enabling the ISO 12647-7 compliant verification based on the Ugra/Fogra media wedge or IDEAlliance control strip and the job-specific control of the job key colours with the Dynamic Wedge.

 

 

 

Mimaki’s wide format solvent printer range maintains its place at forefront of the market with its broad skill-set and excellent mix of speed and print quality. With most machines shipped with a fully comprehensive, two year warranty through Mimaki’s exclusive UK distributor, Hybrid Services Ltd, qualifying products include the CJV30, JV33 and JV5 machines which are available in a choice of sizes – a popular 1.3m, versatile 1.6m and a highly productive baby grand 2.6m.

Throughout this Spring, Hybrid is offering a lucrative trade-up scheme for users of their highly successful Mimaki JV3 printer as well as customers with other solvent machines too. Available through Hybrid’s authorised reseller network, the Spring Promotion is a great way to invest in new hardware, whilst saving up to £8,000 as part of the trade-up scheme.

In any of the new printers, customers can choose either Mimaki’s eco or low solvent inks – with advantages for either, and with the CJV30 and JV33, a bright, opaque white available as standard for the low solvent ink set. Production features, such as Mimaki’s UISS (Uninterrupted Ink Supply System) and the powered take up unit allow for long, unattended print runs and the inclusion of Mimaki’s RasterLink Pro RIP software package mean it’s ready to run from the box. Mimaki’s low solvent inkset characteristically achieves a three year outdoor lifespan – even for unlaminated prints; ensuring a durable and vibrant print for sign makers’ customers.

A perfect example in the range is the Mimaki JV33 Series inkjet printer. Its ability to print to a vast range of inexpensive uncoated materials (from banner and vinyl, through paper, canvas, coated metallic and clear films, pull up materials and backlit products to name a few) put it at the forefront of the wide format printer market and with its low running costs and lucrative two year warranty, it pays back quickly too.

Talking of paying back, Hybrid offers a unique ink cartridge recycling scheme – linked to valuable ink rebates – that’s proved very popular with their eco and low solvent ink using customers. The phenomenally successful scheme (the first of its kind) is almost entirely co-ordinated online to avoid unnecessary paper and administration. Hybrid arranges collection of spent cartridges at their cost – and typically tie this into visits to the same area to make the whole scheme as green as possible. Hybrid recycles all the components of the cartridges and so far, the success of the programme has led to many tonnes of landfill being removed in the past year alone. In addition to the environmental benefits of the scheme, a valuable rebate is paid – providing the customer with financial reward for their environmental efforts.

Hybrid's marketing manager, Duncan Jefferies told us "The Let's Do More scheme works because customers are so committed to it and we reward this with a rebate towards valuable consumables for their business. So far, this has resulted in well over £40,000 worth of ink being supplied free to our customers as our thanks to them for contributing to the programme."

“The success of Mimaki's solvent printers has come about for many reasons, but having so many machines in the market place means that there are a lot of cartridges we can take out of landfill through recycling - and that's an important cornerstone of our green philosophy."

With ongoing cost benefits and strong environmental credentials – coupled to Hybrid’s Spring Trade-up Promotion, the Mimaki JV33 Series is a powerful solution for the signmaker and graphics professional.