DIGITAL digest
Ford Printing Opts For New DI Press
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA—Ford Printing & Mailing has installed a Presstek 52DI digital offset press to bolster its ability to efficiently produce quality color printing in runs from 250 to 20,000 impressions. The shop’s goal is to better service its existing customer base as a trade printer, while also distinguishing its capabilities to support a drive into new markets.
Océ Sees ‘Solid’ Future for Ink-Jet
TRUMBULL, CT—Océ has launched a new digital printing platform, called Océ CrystalPoint, which it says combines the benefits of ink-jet and toner-based printing. It uses dry toner contained within solid, spherical TonerPearls that are heated into a gel, then jetted onto any type of uncoated or matte substrate where the material crystallizes, eliminating the need for drying. Océ calls it a solid in/solid out process for producing printing that is water-fast, can be cold or hot laminated and doesn’t crack, even when folded.
The company is initially targeting the technical document (CAD and maps) market segment with the Océ ColorWave 600 four-color printer that handles up to 42˝-wide roll media and prints a maximum 1,200 dpi resolution. It is also looking to develop applications in the display graphics arena, especially temporary store signage, because of the cost advantage in using untreated paper substrates (including recycled products).
In addition, during a recent briefing on the technology, Patrick Chapuis, president of Océ Wide Format Printing Systems, emphasized that it is a platform the company plans to take up and down market with future product introductions. CrystalPoint reportedly has been in development since the mid-1990s and is expected to be the foundation for a new generation of printing systems.
In its current ColorWave 600 form, the technology can print 1,575 square feet/hour in Economy (lower resolution) mode. Stepping up to Production quality drops the speed to 750 square feet/hour, and 250 square feet/hour can be output using the top-level Presentation mode. Total productivity is enhanced by prints being instantly dry. Other benefits include no release of ozone, odor or fine powder by the process, as well as a more competitive cost structure with the SmartClick pricing model and integration of black-and-white and color volumes.
