The
recent Print 13 annual show was punctuated with excitement and some exuberance –
a welcome change when compared to the atmosphere of previous exhibits in the
last few years. Aside from the fact that there were many attendees throughout
the show, the enthusiastic ambiance may also be attributed to the presence of
more innovative digital printing alternatives.
Judging
from its undeniable presence at the exhibition and higher levels of interest
generated by commercial printers, wide-format printing appears to have turned
mainstream. With that, this is the first time that this type of printing system
has taken center stage. While it has always been present at shows like Print 13,
it has never garnered this much attention in the past.
For
one, the exhibit floor featured wide-format pavilions, which is a product of the
collaboration between Big Picture and the International Sign Association (ISA).
There were also other applications of the wide-format printer that one can see
in various parts of the show venue. In addition, there were many exhibitors
incorporating wide-format outputs in their product line-up. There even were
educational sessions dedicated to the discussion of wide-format
economics.
While
there were not many new product launches at Print 13, some firms chose to debut
their new offerings at the said event.
Canon
For
a number of years, Canon exhibited the wide-format printer now known as
Océ ColorWave 900 as “Project Velocity.” But now, the said model has been given
a U.S. debut with the new name. After it was first unveiled in London in June
this year, the product has gone on to win a Must See ‘Em citation in the
“Pressroom: Wide-Format” division. Its winning qualities include the following:
1600 dpi print resolution, 1,100 m2/hr top output speed, and 3.4 billion
1.2-picoliter ink droplets per second delivery.
Aside
from the ColorWave 900, Canon also featured its S-Series line, which was just
recently launched. Aside from this, the company also showed off its 24-inch
imagePROGRAF 6400S and 44-inch imagePROGRAF 8400S printing machines, which are
said to have better color control features. Additionally, Canon’s wide-format UV
flatbed printing units, the Arizona 600 series, were also exhibited.
HP
The
American printer manufacturer introduced the Latex 3000 for the first time in
the U.S. at the Print 13 event. This industrial-type printer is an impressive
126 inches wide.
The HP
Designjet Z5400 PostScript ePrinter was also unveiled for the very first time.
This model is 44 inches wide but is two roll, making it ideal for businesses who
offer quick wide-format printing or copying services as it can produce posters,
canvases, maps, backlit prints, POP/POS displays, and even indoor signs, among
others. It also is equipped with Hewlett-Packard’s Multi-Dimensional Smart Drop
Placement Technology – which has enhanced color accuracy features.
Epson
Launching
the Print of the SureColorF2000 revealed Epson’s foray into the
direct-to-garment market. This new offering is issued in 2 Editions: Standard
and White, which uses white ink. What’s impressive about this printer is that it
can print right on the garment itself, whether it be a jacket, tote-bag,
T-shirt, or any other item made of 100% cotton or material that has a 50/50
fabric blend. The said unit comes equipped with UltraChrome DG ink technology to
go with its MicroPiezo TFP printhead.
Xerox
The
document management company stepped up to the competition and announced its own
wide-format offering, the IJP 2000. This machine can print around 4,520 square
feet per hour and can turn out a banner 30 feet long within a minute – which is
impressively fast by commercial standards.
Fujifilm
The
123.6 x 63-inch Inca Onset Q40i is one of the products that Fujifilm featured in
its Print 13 booth. It can manage 2-inch thick media and can print graphics
designed for close viewing, such as backlit cosmetic displays. Aside from this,
the Japanese corporation also brought out its Acuity Advance UV and LED UV
industrial wide-format systems for exhibit attendees to see.
EFI
Silicon
Valley-based EFI proudly showcased their award-winning printer, the VUTEk HS100
Pro. This model is one of eight recipients of the Must See ’Em awards
(wide-format category). The said 3.2-meter-wide machine has a LED UV inkjet
flatbed press which can churn out 100 boards in an hour.
Another
award-winning product, the VUTEk GS-TF thermoforming system, was also featured
in the EFI booth. It facilitates the printing of 3D thermoformed
products.
EFI’s
SmartSign Analytics, which is was honored with a Must See ’Em award in the
“Future of Print: Technology Demonstrations” category, has a POS screen embedded
with a very small camera that records images of people viewing the display. This
can be installed with facial recognition software in order to assess the
captured images and analyze various factors, such as gender, age, and viewing
duration. The data collected can then be used to assess the effectivity of the
display.
Xante
Excelagraphix
4200P, dubbed as a “digital package solution,” is Xanté’s bet in the wide-format
stakes. With a 42-inch width, it can print on corrugated material, as well as
foam, with a thickness of about half an inch. As such, it’s an ideal device to
partner with a flexographic press. The fact that it can print around 12 inches
per second makes this a viable printing device and well suited for printing
variable data.
Reprographic
Technology
This
printing consumables, parts, and supplies provider has gradually moved into
printer making. However, they have only dabbled in machines that produce labels
and other small-format outputs. This changed with their introduction of the
Vortex 4200, a wide-format printer equipped with Memjet technology. This machine
is 42 inches and is said to be capable of printing 12 inches per second or 9,168
square feet per hour. It has been made to be used with GIS, CAD, AEC, and POS
graphics.
As
more applications for wide-format printing are developed, it won’t be
long before a new breed of printers emerges to take human creativity to the next
level.
