Digital Printing-Wide Format - Flatbed

FLATBED MODELS are currently a hot trend in the wide-format ink-jet printer segment and were spotlighted by exhibitors at Drupa 2008 earlier this year. This technology puts the emphasis on volume production for more everyday applications, not the spectacular building and vehicle wraps done roll-to-roll. Particularly with dimensional point-of-purchase (POP) materials, productivity is enhanced by the capability to print directly on rigid substrates, rather than mounting/laminating printed sheets to a backing material in a separate production step. Teaming a flatbed printer up with a digital cutter further speeds turnaround of completed pieces. UV ink-jet technology dominates this product category because of the substrate

Printing Impressions and InfoTrends have recently conducted a survey of Printing Impressions’ readers that focused on their use of wide-format digital printing equipment. The respondents to the survey fell into two main groups: in-plant operations and print-for-pay establishments. Participants were asked various questions regarding their current wide-format equipment and services, as well as future plans for their wide-format business. (See Chart 1.) The results show that while aqueous ink-jet is still the dominant technology, there is a growing presence in the production and commercial printing market of newer printing technologies. More than 67 percent of respondents indicated that they currently own an aqueous ink-jet

VALHALLA, NY—August 21, 2008—Fujifilm Graphic Systems U.S.A., Inc. recently announced changes in the company’s sales organization, structured around the latest digital solutions and designed to better address customer needs. “As the graphic communications industry continues to evolve, so must the companies working within it,” said Todd Zimmerman, vice president, National Field Sales. “The needs of our customers are changing and we will continue to meet their expectations and deliver what they need to better run their business. The changes within our sales force better address those needs and ensure that our people and their expertise are available to our customers across the country.” Demand

RESTON, VA—Graphic communications professionals seeking the latest wide format imaging technologies and equipment will find them at GRAPH EXPO® 2008, all highly visible across the show floor and more densely clustered in the Wide Format Pavilion. This year’s show, the largest graphic communications exhibition and conference in the Western Hemisphere will be held October 26 - 29, in Chicago’s McCormick Place. More than 600 exhibitors, including the industry’s top wide format manufacturers and suppliers, will showcase a full range of graphic communications equipment across 450,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. The Wide Format Pavilion debuted six years ago with a mere five

VALHALLA, NY—July 8, 2008—“Now we can print on almost anything,” says Scott Waggoner, president of Ohio’s Fleet Graphics, thanks to the new Fujifilm Acuity HD 2504, a wide format flatbed digital printer. The Fujifilm Acuity was installed along with a Mutoh Toucan LT 61” roll-fed device, opening up the wide world of wide format for Fleet Graphics, which has a long tradition of delivering outstanding graphic design, production and pre-press results in an ever-changing industry. The Acuity flatbed can print directly onto rigid media up to 8’ x 4’ and up to almost 2” thick and, by eliminating the necessity of laminating and mounting

Kodak Users Get the Real Deal LAS VEGAS—More than 300 members of the Graphic Users Association (GUA) of Kodak Solutions recently gathered at the Wynn Las Vegas for the North American group’s annual meeting. “This year’s conference was our biggest and best yet,” said current GUA President Tom Clifford, who is also a prepress technology specialist with RR Donnelley. Having “unfiltered access to executives and product specialists from Kodak” is a key benefit of attending the event, Clifford noted. “Most important, the team from Kodak. . .genuinely listens to our feedback and takes it into consideration when developing new products and features.” He also

FOSTER CITY, CA—May 29, 2008—EFI (Nasdaq: EFII), the world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced that it will be previewing the VUTEk® DS Series digital screen printer at Drupa 2008, May 29th through June 11th in Düsseldorf, Germany. EFI can be found in Hall 5, Stand C01 at the show. This high speed, flatbed UV printer provides a digital solution for the production of POP-quality graphics at breakthrough speed with the advantages of UV technology and digital economics. The DS Series is a new category of high-speed digital flatbed printers representing a tipping point in productivity, image quality and flexibility.

Lienz, Austria—05/11/08—The Rho SP 60 (Single Pass) is an industrial ink-jet printer capable of printing at speeds up to 35 m/min in CMYK on a range of different materials including, cork, MDF, ceramic tiles, cardboard for packaging, plaster ceiling panels, plastics, and many more, up to a thickness of 3 mm and a width of 63 cm. The printer uses 50 Piezo ink-jet nozzles per color with a combined total of 25,600 nozzles. It prints directly onto and the material, including those with a smooth or profiled surfaces, without the media being touched. The final printed image has brilliant colors featuring a wide color

VALHALLA, NY—March 20, 2008—Fujifilm U.S.A., Inc. today announced that the Wide Format Ink-jet business unit of Fujifilm Hunt Chemicals U.S.A., Inc. will become part of Fujifilm U.S.A.’s Imaging Division as of April 1, 2008. Moving forward, retailers and professional labs will benefit from the convenience of a single point of order for all imaging hardware and supplies, including wide format ink-jet products. “Many of our customers are currently expanding their Frontier solutions to generate revenue from a wide range of products beyond traditional 4”x 6” prints,” said John Placko, senior product manager, Wide Format Inkjet Products, Imaging Division, Fujifilm U.S.A. “Today’s announcement

MORTSEL, BELGIUM—March 18, 2008 —Agfa Graphics announced today its line-up of new products and solutions that will be on display at the Agfa stand (Hall 8a – B63) during the international trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, 29 May-11 June. The announcement was made at Agfa’s pre-drupa press conference in Belgium where more than 85 graphic arts journalists from around the world gathered to hear about Agfa’s expanded product line for its four major market segments: commercial printing, packaging printing, newspaper industry, and sign & display market. Agfa’s new, innovative range of products and solutions to be shown at drupa include: :Azura TS, Agfa’s new