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Superwide Format : Size and quality combine
Solvent and dye-sublimation applications at the flip of a switch
Launched in 2006, DuPont’s first Cromaprint 22UV rigid/flexible large format digital printer has been installed at Nottingham-based Viva Imaging.
Marking a further move into digital production, the new 2.2m printer (which uses DuPont colour management technology) is certainly one to look out for as it can help companies stay competitive and target traditional screenprint applications.
Viva Imaging’s managing director, John Watson, said: “The new DuPont Cromaprint 22UV has taken our business to the next level. With our previous laser image writer, we were losing business to other digital printers who could undercut us and meet very tight deadlines. By installing our direct-to-substrate printer, we have been able to reduce costs and provide the same high quality print on a far wider range of substrates. This has not only made us more competitive, but it has also significantly expanded the opportunities to service new markets, including POP and in-store graphics.”
The Cromaprint 22UV is a complete inkjet digital printing system made of DuPont components including patent-pending extended gamut UV curable ink and a new Cromanet colour server providing RIP, spectral colour management and production workflow tools. The package is designed to meet high volume production applications using a wide variety of rigid and flexible media.
DuPont Colour Communications UK’s sales manager, Jim Walker, said: “We are obviously delighted with the success of our first Cromaprint 22UV at Viva Imaging. Over the last few years, the UK super-wide market has become very competitive and therefore printers increasingly need high value for money solutions that can provide the print quality, speed and consistency to stay ahead of the game. We believe that the Cromaprint fits this niche, perfectly.”
Expanding superwide offering
One company which remains a strong name in the superwide format arena is EFI whose products have gone from strength-to-strength since its acquisition of Vutek. They promise exceptional quality and versatility, proved with its announcement of new configurations and expanded capabilities for the UltraVu II 3360 product line.
The 3360 is available in new lower cost, entry level configurations and is field upgradeable, making it easier for print shops to invest in a Vutek digital inkjet printer. With an optional second ink delivery system, the 3360 opens new market opportunities for solvent and dye-sublimation applications at the flip of a switch. Plus, the machine has been optimised for Vutek’s BioVu ink, offering print-for-pay shops increased methods for generating revenue in environmentally conscious markets.
Another bonus is that a number of different configurations are available in entry-level and production versions, making it more affordable and easier to grow new revenue streams.
Big picture
As we all know, it isn’t just about the machine. Without imagination alongside machine capability, little can be achieved. Luckily, Stockholm-based Big Image Systems, a specialist in printing large images on fabric and other flexible materials, definitely does not fall into that category.
Almost from the beginning, Big Image has been using digital output to create large images, finding a niche market for theatre backdrops. Berlin’s numerous theatres proved to be a huge market and in 1996 it set up a production facility there. Today, 32 people are employed at the 3,200m2 Swedish site (a converted aircraft hanger) and a further 26 in Berlin.
One of Big Images’ extraordinary features is that it builds its own airbrush machines. The largest is 12m wide, with a further four 5m wide machines spread across the two sites. In addition, it has wide format solvent inkjet machines and now a Durst 350R roll-to-roll UV inkjet.
Big Image’s president, Andreas Skantze, said: “Quality is always our first priority and the Rho 350 impressed us from the outset. We wanted a UV machine and the Durst was the only one on the market that produced the quality and productivity we needed. We also like many of its features, particularly the skip-white function and its overall ease of use.
“Our business is all about added value. We love solving customers’ problems and that’s what we do best. When I look back at what we have produced over the last few years I’m surprised myself. For example, we produced the world’s largest four-colour digitally printed balloon which is 72 feet in diameter, with more than half of its 16,000ft2 surface digitally printed. It is used as a tourist attraction at Acapulco Beach in Mexico. We have also printed the world’s largest fabric image which is 3,500m2 and depicts Mount Everest taken from base camp. When it was first shown 10 visitors to the exhibit suffered from vertigo! The list goes on from the backdrops in Broadway theatres to the sails of America Cup yachts, we print it. Always on flexible material and this is how we will continue.
“We offer a unique service and there is so much more work out there, we have really only scratched the surface of the potential market. I’m sure we will continue to find more applications for our large format printing expertise and I think UV inks will play an ever increasing role.”
Image quality
Finally, let’s look at the Oce Arizona 250 GT, a system designed to set a new standard in the fast-growing graphic arts market, helping companies improve image quality for outdoor advertising and banners.
Developed at Oce's research centre in Vancouver, Canada the 250 GT can vary ink droplets in size and density, creating superior, near photographic, images.
Gido van Praag, who is spearheading Oce activities in this market, commented: “Today, Oce is a key supplier offering its customers a complete range of best-in-class products for graphic arts that spans equipment, media, ink, software and consultancy. In the graphic arts market, we have global distribution power, a global service organisation and an excellent fulfilment system, supplying a diverse range of print media to meet the needs of our customers. In 2005, Oce grew in the graphic arts market faster than the market and we are committed to continuing this growth.”
The Arizona 250 GT will be commercially available in early 2007 and was recognised at last year’s Specialty Graphics Imaging Association’s Annual Convention and Trade Show with the Digital Printing & Imaging Association (DPI) as the new digital imaging product development most likely to have a profound and positive effect on the industry.
And finally
We have all heard the saying ‘size matters’ and, while it may be the cause of many jokes, the fact remains that in this business size does matter: so does quality. The machines mentioned here all have one thing in common: they can produce the output without compromising quality.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that because something is big it is automatically better: look for quality alongside size and you are onto a winner.
