Roland DG Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wide format inkjet printers and printer cutters, today announced the launch of the new VersaUV 64-inch LEC2-640 and 30-inch LEC2-330 wide format UV printer cutters.


According to Kevin Shigenoya, Vice President, Digital Printing Business Division, the LEC2 series printer cutters offer unmatched production capabilities, including the ability to create unique special 3D effects using UV ink and contour cutting of printed images on demand. "We believe that the LEC2-640 and LEC2-330, with their superior versatility, is a powerful solution to support our customers in the immediate realisation of their creative ideas. With their value-added printing and cutting, incredibly diverse range of media support, and ease of use for even first-time users, the LEC2 series is ideal for a broad range of printing businesses for countless applications, including adhesive decals, labels and stickers, signs, POP, backlit panels, packaging prototypes and interior decor." 


The LEC2-640 and LEC2-330 models announced today are the latest in a series expanding the UV product line and providing significant improvements in printing expression and functionality. Newly developed EUV5 ink supports CMYK, Clear, White and Primer options, expanding the colour gamut to produce vivid full-colour prints with special effects like simulated embossing and gloss or matte finishes. A True Rich Color print setting is designed to maximise the imaging capabilities of the LEC2-640 and LEC2-330 with the new inks for vibrant colour graphics with neutral grays, smooth gradations and natural skin tones. The new White ink, which is often used as a base coat when printing on transparent film or dark paper, achieves high opacity while the Primer ink makes it possible to print on media that was previously difficult or impossible to print on. 


The latest print head and LED lamps enable an even higher level of print quality and high colour saturation. The print head has been optimised for precision ink firing and control, while the LED lamps are more powerful, to make curing the ink even faster. This combination delivers stunning images down to the finest details, from small text to elaborately textured patterns and gradations. 


Two Models to Meet a Range of Application Needs 


The new 64-inch model LEC2-640 adds support for large signage, displays and interior decor while new media feed options for the 30-inch LEC2-330 expand its capabilities for use in the fast-growing packaging industry. The optional TB-30 is capable of feeding film as thin as 30 microns for flexible packaging, and the ET-30 can handle a wide variety of paper stocks and aluminium metallised papers for folding carton packaging, including design comps, prototyping, and colour proofing for food, beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more. 


"In order for customers in the printing business to remain competitive," Shigenoya said, "it is critical to be flexible and to continue developing new business by adapting new applications in response to market trends and client needs. Roland DG will continue to provide new value to our customers' businesses and contribute to the development of the digital printing industry through unique, creative products and solutions." 


For more information visit www.rolanddg.com.au/products/printers/versauv-lec2-330-640-uv-printer-cutters

Canon Production Printing Australia have today announced ProCare, a groundbreaking new after-sales service for their Colorado roll-to-roll wide format printer series.

From 1st January 2021, thanks to the new service program, ProCare, Colorado1640 and 1650 owners will be able to benefit from maximised uptime through access to spare parts, preventive maintenance and remote software application support for increased productivity and minimal downtime.

ProCare’s premium counterpart, ProCare+, provides additional support options including premium rapid onsite response, and print head replacement and maintenance.
Colorado series printers are designed for optimal productivity with minimal operator intervention and manual maintenance. ProCare and ProCare+ have been designed to extend this philosophy in an effort to give customers the added confidence they need to deliver quality, tight turnaround times, business growth and increased profits.

ProCare and ProCare+ are both available for three, four or five years, with the option to extend support after the initial contract has ended.

Craig Nethercott, Managing Director, Canon Production Printing Oceania comments, “With Colorado ProCare, customers know they have a technology they can rely on and a solutions partner who will always be at their side to help them deliver.



“We know from our customers, that Colorado is much more than a production device; it’s a solution for bringing artwork to life, meeting the tightest deadlines and fulfilling even the most critical application requirements. Print service providers rely on it on a daily basis and its performance is vital for their business, whether they have one or multiple machines.

“The benefits of UVgel technology give the best possible balance of productivity, uptime and quality while reducing Total Cost of Ownership.”

24-inch SureColor T3160M and 36-inch SureColor T5160M delivering high-speed technical and graphics printing, scanning and copying technical solutions and seamless collaboration from home or the office.

Epson has launched two new SureColor 

T-Series wireless multi-function printers with integrated scanners – the 24-inch SureColor T3160M and the 36-inch SureColor T5160M. Based on current successful models, the SureColor T3160M and SureColor T5160M are new, multi-function printers that include an integrated scanner for accurately scanning blueprints and drawings, making large copies and sharing high-quality technical documents. 



Featuring a sleek design and compact footprint,1 the SureColor T3160M is up to 29 percent smaller and the SureColor T5160M is up to 15 percent smaller than competitor MFP models2 and conveniently fit into modern work from home and small office environments allowing for seamless team collaboration across CAD, architecture, engineering and corporate graphics workflows. 



The 24-inch SureColor T3160M and the 36-inch SureColor T5160M also support copy enlargements and reductions, as well as enhanced tracing and offer highlight detection for scanning annotated blueprints. 

With integrated wireless and Wi-Fi Direct®connectivity3, professionals can easily print from virtually anywhere in the home or office with a smart device4 or from a USB thumb drive and with their enterprise security features and protocol support, users can also print and scan directly to e-mail, network folder or USB drive. This makes for easy document sharing with team members, including remote and on-site departments, vendors and clients.  



Featuring an industrial-grade Epson PrecisionCore® MicroTFP® printhead for ultra-fast print speeds, the SureColor T3160M and SureColor T5160M produce accurate A1 prints in as fast as 34 seconds and 31 seconds5,  respectively. 

The multifunction printers leverage UltraChrome® XD2 pigment ink technology for brilliant colour, crisp lines and smudge and water-resistant prints. Supporting a variety of media – including rolls and sheets – these multifunction printers deliver detailed output on a wide range of media types. 

The new SureColor T3160M and SureColor T5160M deliver a range of multifunction features designed to help industry professionals create stunning CAD, GIS, architectural, or engineering technical drawings, including: 

• Ultra-fast Print Speeds – Producing A1 prints in as fast as 34 seconds and 31 seconds,5 respectively 

• High-Detail Integrated Scanner – So you can easily scan and share documents up to 600 dpi 

• Compact, Clean Design – For sleek, compact design1 enhances workspaces 

• Durable, Instant-Dry Prints – As archival-quality, all-pigment-based UltraChrome XD2 inks deliver brilliant colour, crisp lines, and smudge and water-resistant prints 

• Versatile Print Media Handling – Accommodating rolls and cut sheets up to 24" and 36" wide, respectively; the auto-sheet feeder accommodates sheets up to A3/11" x 17" 

• Easy to Operate with Robust Standalone Copy Features – A large, intuitive 4.3-inch LCD screen simplifies operation and includes the ability to make copies of large drawings or blueprints directly from the control panel without the need of a computer 

• Print and Scan from Virtually Anywhere in Your Home or Office – So you can easily print from or scan to USB thumb drives,4 as well as print from tablets, smartphones,3 and more with integrated wireless plus router-free Wi-Fi Direct printing4

• Extreme Print Quality and Precision – Using a PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead with Precision Droplet Control for outstanding clarity; up to 2400 dpi printing resolution captures annotations, lines, and image detail with incredible accuracy 

• Outstanding Productivity – Means you change cartridges less often with high-capacity ink cartridges up to 50 ml (colour) and 80 ml (Black) 

• Enterprise Security Features and Protocol Support – Support secure PDF printing from PCs and scanning of secure PDFs to USB thumb drives and shared folders, no computer needed

Support and Availability
The Epson SureColor T3160M (RRP $2,749) will be available from December 2020 and the SureColor T5160M will be available  from March 2021 (pricing to be confirmed) through Epson Authorised Professional Imaging Resellers. 

Up to three years Epson CoverPlus can be purchased for piece of mind that covers the printer and printhead in the unlikely event of any hardware failure.

The InterioJet 3300 is a multi-pass, water-based inkjet system for printing on decor paper used for interior decoration, such as laminate floors and furniture. It boasts brilliant and consistent print quality and enables the creation of customised interior decorations, including brand logos, pictures or seasonal themes.

The InterioJet is built on the same inkjet printing platform as Agfa’s award-winning heavy-duty Jeti Tauro LED UV printing press for sign & display printing applications. It delivers the same printing reliability – now with print heads, inks and a drying system tuned to water-based pigment inks.

“The InterioJet 3300 will accelerate the transformation from analog (gravure) to digital printing in the laminated surface market,” states Tom Cloots, Director Industrial Inkjet for Agfa, Europe. “It is the ideal cost-efficient solution for medium and short production runs. Its limited start-up time and high flexibility will enable suppliers of laminated surfaces to gain new business by responding to evolving market demands, including printing on demand and just-in-time delivery. The system allows interior decoration designers to let their creativity run free and create customised designs for every order.”

The InterioJet can print on two rolls at a time – each with a width of up to 155 cm and a weight of up to 600 kg – at a speed of up to 340 m² per hour. It achieves a brilliant and consistent print quality throughout, as well as across print orders. It excels through its superior contrast, sharpness, and colour saturation, matching typical decorative industry colour profiles.

Incorporating Agfa’s signature ‘Thin Ink Layer’ technology, the InterioJet boasts a low ink consumption, reducing production cost and footprint. It can be combined effortlessly with various impregnation and lamination processes.

Process automation through Asanti

Like Agfa’s wide-format inkjet printers, the InterioJet is driven by Agfa’s Asanti workflow software, which adds to the system’s performance by controlling, simplifying and automating the entire printing process from prepress to finishing. Asanti’s comprehensive integration of file handling, colour management and preflighting guarantees smooth, error-free jobs.

For advanced workflow and color management integration to the creative and reproduction processes, as well as cross-colour management with the analog printing processes, Asanti handshakes with full compatibility to the latest AVA CAD CAM products.

Matched water-based pigment inks

In accordance with Agfa’s matched components’ approach – which ensures the accurate alignment of printing systems, workflow software and inks – the company developed dedicated water-based pigment inks for the InterioJet. These eco-friendly inks are light- and waterfast and use specific pigments that deliver a high colour coverage. They have proved to be a perfect fit for standard lamination production processes. Thanks to the thin dried layer, they can be used to print great wood and natural stone designs (such as marble) without surface relief.

Mimaki announces the release of two models of roll-to-roll inkjet printer "100 series" for sign graphics application, "JV100-160" compatible with solvent ink and "UJV100-160" compatible with UV ink, to be available worldwide starting December 1, 2020. Mimaki Australia will be holding good stock levels of these new models in April 2021.

The "100 series" provides customers with new "high operability" based on the "high image quality" and "reliability" technologies that Mimaki Engineering, which has been leading the sign graphics market, has accumulated over many years. It is a product that can be used easily even by those who are unfamiliar with the printer operation.

It should be noted that the printer is equipped with a DAS (Dot Adjustment System) function as standard, which automatically adjusts the dot position correction and media feed amount, which were conventionally performed manually when changing the media to be printed. This feature provides for high operability and significantly reduces workload, while consistently delivering high quality printing by eliminating variance in adjustment among operators.

In addition, the products are equipped with a variety of Mimaki's functions for sign graphics, including NCU (Nozzle Check Unit)*1, NRS (Nozzle Recovery System)*2 and MAPS4 (Mimaki Advanced Pass System 4)*3 to ensure the realisation of the high level of print quality required in the market. The solvent ink compatible model "JV100-160" is compatible with Mimaki's new generation ink, which has excellent drying properties.

The newly developed inks evaporate quickly to minimise bleeding, even on images requiring large amounts of ink to print, producing beautiful, detailed expressions. This allows indoor and outdoor signs to print directly on common PVC media. This can realise sharp and eye-catching signage prints for applications such as indoor advertisements and outdoor signs that require high weather resistance to support strongly your business.

The UJV100-160, first introduced to emerging markets in March 2020, “UJV100-160” has been received favourably by customers, and sales is now to be expanded worldwide. UV-cured ink used by the model contribute to a significant reduction in production turnaround time due to their quick-drying properties upon output.
In addition to PVC and tarpaulin, which are common in outdoor signage, it can be printed on various media such as fabric (dedicated for sign graphics use), paper without an ink receiving layer, and PET film, so it is a product that can be used by a wide range of customers in the sign graphics market.

Furthermore, the both models are equipped with "RasterLink7" as the standard accessory, which is newly developed as a RIP (Raster Image Processor) * 4 that controls printing.

The software was developed by incorporating the Harlequin RIP® from Global Graphics, one of the world's leading digital printing platforms, into the RIP engine that performs the RIP process. This resulted in improving the reproducibility of the special effect (transparency effect) of PDF files and increasing the RIP processing speed by 25% on average compared to "RasterLink6 Plus". One of features of "RasterLink6 Plus", the favourite settings has been taken over, which has been further improved.

With as our new catch phrase, "Expert printing made easy.", we will develop global marketing promotion for our appeal about the "100 Series" that can deliver high quality and reliable printing with superior operability and the "RasterLink7" of fine usability by means of further high performance and upgraded processing speed.
 
Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. upholds the management vision of “novelty and difference” and will continue to strive to be an innovator company that provides added value to its customers.

*1 NCU: A function that automatically detects the status of nozzles using the sensor, and performs auto cleaning when a missing nozzle is found
*2 NRS: A function that automatically replaces defective nozzles with other nozzles if there is a problem left unsolved by the nozzle cleaning, and ensures uninterrupted printing with stable image quality
*3 MAPS4: A function that prints pass boundaries fading in gradation to reduce banding (horizontal stripes), uneven colour, and glossy streak
*4 RIP: Process of converting text, images and other data created on computers into printable format.

Overview
1. Worldwide release of two models utilising different inks, “JV100-160” and “UJV100-160”
for the sign graphics.
2. Well-balanced entry-level models with excellent operational performance, image quality, speed and cost
3. Equipped with DAS for high operability and stable, high-quality printing
4. Incorporates features including NCU, NRS and MAPS4
5. Standard accessory "RasterLink7" with improved PDF file reproducibility and processing 
speed increased by 25% on average compared to the conventional mode

Features
1. Latest features that achieve Mimaki quality
Dot position / Feed auto correction function “DAS”
Automated visual drawing adjustment (dot position correction and feeding correction) manually implemented in previous models. By saving operators time and effort needed for such adjustment, variation in adjustment is prevented.

Mimaki technology enabling stable high-quality printing
MAPS4
Since pass boundaries generally become straight, slight misalignment results in banding or uneven color. The “MAPS4 (Mimaki Advanced Pass System 4)” functionality provides gradation to printed pass boundaries and reduces banding and uneven color, achieving a beautiful printing result.

NCU & NRS automatically detects missing nozzles and performs recovery
NCU (Nozzle Check Unit) automatically detects nozzle condition. When the NCU detects a missing nozzle, it automatically performs cleaning. In case problem is not solved by cleaning, NRS (Nozzle Recovery System) automatically replaces defective nozzles with alternate nozzles, enabling users to resume operation without waiting for repairing. 

2. High productivity
High-speed printing at a maximum of 27.4m2/h
4-Colour print on glossy PVC surface: 6 pass 20.0m2/h
4-Colour print on tarpaulin: 4 pass 27.4m2/h

180% faster than JV150 *5
High productivity supported by extensive features.
Allows for more order processing of short-duration work. 
*5 Comparison at 6 pass 4-Color printing at the similar resolution rage as JV150

3. Newly developed genuine RIP engine, “RasterLink7”.
RIP core modified to enable high-speed PDF processing, improving processing speed by 25% on average. Increases productivity.

Improves reproducibility of special effects (transparency effect) of PDF data 
Improves reproducibility of PDF data containing special effects. There is no need to worry about losing time from data creation to output delivery.

Swift RIP processing of PDF data for increased productivity
RIP core incorporates Harlequin RIP® engine developed by Global Graphics, UK. Improves processing speed by approximately 25% on average and increases productivity.

New feature -- Variable printing function
Easier variable and inset printing of images and text. Offering high value-added printing for each individual, including personalized printed materials.

Enhanced UI usability
Simpler, easily understandable UI design for enhanced usability. Frequently used settings can be added to your favorites list for easy access through favorite icons.

Gerber Technology is revolutionising the flexible materials processing industry with the launch of their end-to-end solution for mass production, which will be unveiled at their annual technology conference, ideation, on November 4-6.

The connected platform features the new Atria digital cutting solution and the October 2020 release of AccuMark 2D and 3D, AccuNest and AccuPlan. With decades of industry experience, a rich history of innovation and feedback from its global customer base, Gerber developed a next-generation, digital mass production solution that will offer the best throughput, quality and price per piece in the market.

The Atria digital cutting room leverages Industry 4.0 and IoT to seamlessly integrate with Gerber’s pattern design, cut planning and nesting solutions, which connects the entire mass production process from CAD to the cut room. Gerber’s latest product releases deliver what manufacturers need to succeed in the post-COVID world by integrating data management, improving efficiencies, reducing material waste, optimising nesting and cutting production costs.

“We designed the Atria to be the most intelligent, integrated, and high-performance cutter the mass production market has ever seen,” said Lenny Marano, Chief Commercial Officer at Gerber Technology. “The new normal COVID era is a challenge for many manufacturers and requires them to be agile and innovative. The Atria is backed by Gerber’s end-to-end solution that will allow companies to easily adapt and respond to consumer demands and market challenges.”

The Atria digital cutting room builds on the innovative spirit of Joseph Gerber, the company’s founder and the pioneer behind the first automated cutting solution. As the industry’s smartest machine to date, the Atria promises to transform mass production by improving overall throughput by 50%, reducing consumable usage by over 30% and improving material yield by 5% with zero buffer cutting in many applications at full speed. The intuitive solution will be a game changer for the workwear, denim, furniture, transportation and personal protective equipment (PPE) markets as it utilises powerful algorithms to eliminate errors, reduces costs and ensure data integrity at every point in the process.

The Atria has already received high praise from early adopters who have been testing and leveraging the advanced cutting room solutions for several months. GDI Grupo Diamante Internacional, manufacturer of professional uniforms, emphasised the Atria’s ability to cut even the toughest materials. The company has been able to cut 30% more material since implementing the Atria into their workflow . Apparel manufacturer, Lesato, has also seen a major improvement in cut quality. The Atria has allowed them to significantly increase their ply height while cutting faster and with absolute precision..

“Fashion and transportation industries were two of the industry segments most impacted by COVID-19, which meant manufacturers in these industries had to quickly adapt their processes, accelerate eCommerce and look for new ways to connect with customers and maintain a competitive edge,” said Ron Ellis, Director of Hardware Product Management at Gerber Technology. “The Atria’s state-of-the-art control technology and intelligent sensors enable versatility and make it the perfect solution for a variety of markets including apparel, transportation and furniture.”

Epson has launched a host of new products at their Yennora Experience centre. 


The event showcased the amazing capabilities of our large format & prographics printers. 


Here are some of the highlights!

The 64-inch SureColor R5000 offers accurate and consistent output with better colour and support for a wider variety of substrates

With the launch of the SureColor R5000 Series Epson Australia has expanded its signage printer line up to include resin ink solutions. These two new R-Series models offer print service providers and creative design agencies ability to produce a wide range of signage and display products. Sitting beside the existing Epson solvent range, they offer potential for faster job turnaround with reduced OH&S and environmental concerns. Designed to compete against latex, these printers offer production speeds up to 27 m2/hr with numerous advantages.

Key features of the SureColor R5000 versus latex
• Enhanced media support
• Superior colour gamut and gradation
• Superior colour and sisal accuracy/consistency
• Long lasting printheads for a reduced running cost
• Higher durability with CoverPlus extendable up to five years.
• Simple and flexible operation with easy loading and reduced maintenance

The new R-Series addresses the existing industry challenges of working with latex inks, and draws from Epson’s years of experience in delivering predictable and consistent output with superior colour and image quality.

The new 64-inch SC-R5000 and SC-R5000L deliver exceptional print performance and colour control thanks to dual PrecisionCore Micro TFP printheads and Epson Precision Dot Technology. Curing temperatures have been reduced over traditional latex to enable enhanced media support. Precision media tracking and temperature control ensures colour, image sizing and positioning is consistent from edge to edge, top to bottom, and print to print. 

Epson resin ink produces minimal odour and does not require the out-gassing time of solvent. Printers can be installed and operated in a wider range of environments with reduced OH&S concerns. The efficient drying and curing process enables prints to be produced and laminated quickly for faster job turnaround. 

Long-life PrecisionCore Micro TFP printheads support variable sized dots with a smaller minimum drop size for an enhanced gamut and finer gradation. As Piezo printheads are not subjected to thermal degradations, they last a lot longer while producing droplets that are more accurate and consistent. When printheads do need replacing, Epson has implemented a program that enables operator replacement , boosting uptime and productivity.

Class leading Advanced Auto Tension Control (Ad-ATC) and integrated high-precision Auto Take-Up systems enable efficient production with extremely accurate dimensional and sisal stability. Product quality is maximised while the potential for material and labour wastage is reduced. Quality levels have been designed to suit the most demanding applications including window displays and tiled wall coverings.

Printers use a new 6-colour UltraChrome RS ink set with a water-based formulation that cures at temperatures up to 20% less than traditional latex for enhanced media support. The ink produces durable images that suit indoor and outdoor applications in a wide variety of environments including schools, hospitals, hotels, shops and homes. The ink ships in compact and cost-effective 1.5 litre pouches. The SC-R5000 has a delivery system that holds up to 8 pouches including an optimiser and maintenance liquid. The maintenance liquid works in conjunction with self-cleaning print heads to ensure reliable operation with minimal manual maintenance. The SC-R5000L features a dual supply that holds 16 pouches with auto hot-swap for extended unattended operation.

Both models are supported by Epson Cloud Solution PORT. This new service  provides customers with enhanced management and monitoring tools. Performance and status information can be accessed directly or remotely. It also facilitates enhanced backup and support with Epson engineers able to directly work with customers to rapidly resolve issues and action repairs when required.

In short, with the SureColor R5000 Series Epson have delivered superior quality, flexibility, productivity and reliability. They, and a newly announced UV printer join Epson’s existing line-up of aqueous, eco-solvent, dye sub and DTG product. Epson has just become your one-stop-shop for signage, POS, packaging, labelling, fabric and interior décor requirements.

Additional features of the SC-R5000 include:
• Print speeds up to 116.5 m2/hr
• Prints offer an enhanced level of scratch resistance
• GreenGuard Gold, AgBB and French-VOC certification 
• 4.3 inch touch control panel and see-through platen cover
• User adjustable multi-stage multi-element heating system
• Adjustable optimiser application for enhanced image quality
• Ultra-sonic media status monitoring and heavy duty crash guards
• Ships with Epson Edge Print RIP and Accounting cost-control software 

The SureColor R5000 Series will be available in Australia from November 2020 at RRPs expected to start from AUD $49,495 excluding GST and in New Zealand from NZD $53,495 excluding GST.

The SureColor V7000 combines superior image quality with enhanced production flexibility

For sign makers looking to produce UV output, Epson Australia has launched its first flatbed printer. The SureColor V7000 builds on the success of Epson’s award-winning SureColor S-Series range of signage printers, delivering flexible production with truly outstanding image quality and a reduced running cost.

Key features of the SC-V7000
• Supports media up to 80 mm thick
• 1.25 x 2.5 m bed with multi-zone vacuum
• Integrated ioniser and media height sensor
• 8c + White + Varnish UltraChrome UV ink set
• Outstanding colour accuracy, gamut and gradation
• Quality to suit the most demanding applications including fine art
• Production up to 15 m2/hr with up to three ink layers in a single pass
• On-site CoverPlus up to five years with periodic maintenance included
• Ships with Epson Edge Print software and Epson Cloud Solution PORT service

The SC-V7000 has been designed to meet the needs of today’s signage businesses with flexible high quality production and a reduced total cost of ownership (TCO). It will print on a wide range of substrates including paper, film, CorefluteTM, vinyl, canvas, aluminium and acrylic. It produces image quality to suit the most exacting applications including signage, POS/POP, premium packaging, décor, custom cabinetry and even fine art. 





This robust and versatile printer incorporates eight Epson MicroPiezo printheads. Each head features 1,440 microfine nozzles with variable size dots as small as 4 pl. Working in conjunction with a new 10 colour Ultrachrome UV ink set, it will produce images with a very wide gamut and surprisingly fine gradation, sufficient to satisfy the most demanding customers. White and Varnish can even be applied as spot colours for enhanced detail and finish. 

The SC-V7000 offers a 1.25 m x 2.50 m print area that supports media up to 80 mm thick and 50 kg/m2. It features a vacuum system with 4 independently adjustable zones for flexible operation. Integrated layout pins and a height sensor on the head carriage enable easy media setting while an ioniser ensures reliable and consistent output. The print heads are mounted in a staggered array that enables up to three layers to be applied in a single pass (White + Colour + Varnish) for fast and efficient production.

Epson has ensured that the SureColor V7000 is cost-effective to install and efficient to run. It is supplied complete with Epson Edge Print RIP software and Flatbed Controller software. It can be managed from the desktop using Epson Edge Dashboard and supports Epson’s new Cloud Solution PORT service. Installation is included in the purchase price and it ships with on-site CoverPlus that can be extended out to five years. Unlike many printers of its type Epson even includes periodic maintenance.  

The SureColor V7000 will be available in Australia from November with RRPs expected to start from AUD $129,995 excluding GST and in New Zealand from NZD $146,995 excluding GST.

SureColor F10060 offers fast, reliable and cost-effective fabric production

Epson has announced their first-ever 76-inch large-format printer. The SureColor F10060 is a sophisticated, dye-sublimation machine for textile production. It is aimed at high volume producers where speed, reliability, and efficiency are central to success. Some of the numerous applications the SC-F10060 has been designed for include soft signage, fashion, sportswear, home furnishings and décor.

In the dye-sublimation sector, customers demand fast turnaround times and cost-effective production. They also expect reliable operation with consistent high-quality output. With these requirements in mind, Epson has developed an industrial level dye-sublimation printer that, the company believes, sets new standards. 

The SC-F10060 offers the highest throughput of any Epson LFP released to date. It features four of Epson’s very latest 4.7” PrecisionCore™ Micro TFP print heads that each incorporate four print elements. Active nozzle status monitoring and advanced self cleaning ensure consistent high quality output at up to 255m2/hr.

High speed output is matched with efficient operation. The printer supports media rolls up to 76” wide and 60kg in weight. It features an 80L bulk ink system, an extra-large 155GB buffer memory, high-speed networking and on-board Step & Repeat. Precision feed management and a compact compact double-sided dryer enables fast roll-to-roll production with consistent tension and parallelism for quality sublimation.

The SC-F10060 is designed for easy operation. It features a large 9” colour touch panel display and a transparent platen window with integrated lighting. Downloadable EMX profiles facilitate rapid set-up with common media types. An integrated RGB camera enables easy profile adjustment and fast configuration with new medias. 

When developing the SC-F10060 Epson carefully considered workflow. The printer can be loaded by single operator, care of an integrated media lifter and dual front/rear feed controls. It also features an industrial style signal lamp and an ink system with automatic hot swap. The SC-F10060 ships complete with Epson Edge Print and Edge Dashboard software and also supports a new service called Epson Cloud Solution PORT (ECSP) that enables detailed production monitoring and advanced status analysis.

As with all Epson Large Format Printers, the SC-F10060 is backed with a comprehensive service package that offers cover up to five years.  The new ECSP system enables Epson to offer remote support and accellerated repair; problems can be directly analysed and service agents dispatched complete with appropriate parts. To ensure maximum up-time, the optional User Self Replacement of print heads have been enabled, clearly demonstrating Epson has raised the benchmark for production equipment.

Key features and benefits of the of the SC-F10060 include:

• 4 x 4.7” PrecisionCore™ ꙡTFP print heads enable production at up to 255 m2/hr
• Support for media rolls up to 60kg with easy loading and assisted configuration
• Epson UltraChrome® DS ink and Epson Precision Dot Technology for consistent and accurate output with an exceptional gamut using a standard CYMK ink set
• Dual ink supply system with automatic hot-swap that operates with a choice of 3L or 10L boxed based ink for a total capacity of up to 80L
• Advanced new platen design and intelligent media management enable support for the widest range of media (including ultra-thin stocks) with rapid assisted set-up
• Integrated double sided drying system and high-precision auto take-up enables efficient roll-to-roll production in a surprising compact 76” form factor
• Oeko-Tex™ certification ensures fabric produced on the printer is safe for adults, children and infants 
• Supplied with Epson Edge Print, Edge Dashboard and Accounting software
• Designed for durable and reliable operation with Linear Motion Guide carriage movement, heavy duty DC motors and auto head cleaning 
• Comprehensive and flexible support up to 5 years complete with Epson Cloud Solution PORT and optional User Self Replacement of print heads.

The SureColor F10060 is available for ordering now from authorised Epson Large Format Fabric resellers. To find out more, visit www.epson.com.au

Electronics For Imaging, Inc.’s two new printers for the high-end, high productivity soft signage market help display graphics producers reach new heights in productivity and extend their capabilities.

The EFI COLORS 340 printer announced today prints at up to 850 square metres per hour (in a four-colour x 4 configuration) while providing unmatched colour capabilities for premium-quality soft signage. For even higher-volume production environments, the EFI POWER 340 prints up to 1,564 square metres per hour.

Leveraging technology from EFI Reggiani’s 70+ year legacy of best-in-class fabric printing, both new offerings have the ability to print with higher quality on a wider range of materials than other soft signage inkjet devices, with 100% penetration on both sides of the material. The printers offer added versatility and economical ink capabilities with their ability to print either direct to fabric or to transfer paper using the same inkset, eliminating the significant cost and downtime related to switching over inks.

“EFI, through our Reggiani division, has decades of experience bringing to market the highest quality in fabric printing in the industry,” said Scott Schinlever, COO, EFI Inkjet. “These two new printers are specifically designed to meet the most stringent quality and productivity needs in soft signage for companies that want to truly differentiate themselves in a highly competitive marketplace. With their extreme speed and reliability, the EFI POWER and COLORS printers can often replace multiple soft signage printers, producing more premium signage work with a single footprint.”

The new printers follow the proven market successes EFI customers have achieved with VUTEk FabriVU soft signage printers, which are among the most productive in their class for premium dispersed dye sublimation graphics. There are more than 250 FabriVU printers installed worldwide, many of them installations of FabriVU 340 and 340i models that give display graphics producers a higher-profit opportunity to enter the soft signage space. Building on that progress, EFI’s newest soft signage printers address the next level of production demand with higher throughput, more robust operation and even greater efficiency.

A new level of quality in premium soft signage

The EFI COLORS 340 printer has all the power and capability sign and display graphics providers have grown to expect from EFI, and more. It is ideal for many applications, from table throws and pop-up promotional tents to SEG backlits, flags and retail fixtures. At 3.4 metres wide with the ability to handle many different fabrics up to 450 gr/m2, this printer delivers results that exceed the expectations of even the most demanding clients. 

Using genuine EFI water-based CMYK dispersed dye inks, the printer gives users entrée into an ultra-premium point-of-purchase category for soft signage, producing smoother colour transitions and ultra-realistic skin tones, unlike any other soft signage printer in the market. Available with up to 24 printheads, only the COLORS 340 offers greater versatility in colour capabilities to print in four-colour x 2, four-colour x 4 or six-colour x 4 configurations, as well as an eight-colour configuration featuring standard CMYK and light CMK colour inks, plus a penetrating agent.

Signage providers can print in production, point-of-purchase (POP) or very high quality at speeds up to 850 square metres per hour, achieving dramatic printing with a wide colour gamut and rich, deep colour saturation.

The printer’s 2,400 dots per inch (dpi) resolution with four level greyscale printing and drop sizes from 4 to 18 picolitres can deliver 100% penetration on both sides of the material, making it ideal for the production of national flags. Its precision sticky belt feeding mechanism ensures near-perfect, continuous tone image quality at high speeds with no wrinkle artefacts on a wide range of materials. And, EFI’s unique continuous ink recirculation system for textile printing improves ink yield, reducing the need to purge while eliminating downtime associated with printhead maintenance.

Extreme POWER meets maximum productivity needs
The new EFI POWER 340 digital soft signage printer has most of the capabilities of the COLORS 340 but at a blazingly fast speed of up to 1,564 square metres per hour.

The POWER 340 is also capable of printing direct-to-fabric or onto transfer paper using genuine EFI water-based CMYK dispersed dye inks. And, like the COLORS 340 model, it employs the proven, reliable sticky belt feeding mechanism. The POWER 340 features up to four colours, in either four-colour x 4 or four-colour x 8 configurations. With its remarkable speeds, users can profit from producing the appropriate quality at the highest speed with a lower total cost of ownership for high-volume demands.

Both printers employ a powerful EFI Fiery proServer Premium digital front end, which means operators can take advantage of the ultimate in colour management, job management, and powerful tools for nesting, step and repeat, scaling, cropping, barcode creation and tiling.

Reduce your footprint, increase your output

With these two new solutions, soft signage producers can reduce their production footprint while also increasing their output by replacing multiple, slower devices with a single high-volume, premium-quality production powerhouse.

The latest member of the Jeti Tauro family – called Jeti Tauro H3300 LED S (S for ‘standard’) – is a favourably priced entry model that will enable an even wider range of printing companies to benefit from one of Agfa’s flagship large-format printers.

This new hybrid six-colour printer, with optional white and primer, boasts award-winning quality at a top speed of 302 m² per hour, which can be upgraded to the even higher speed of its bigger brother. It also shares the latter’s short start-up times and quick and easy maintenance, while also featuring the same automation options. That means it will be available in six possible configurations. Four of these are dedicated to board printing, ranging from manual to fully automatic. The 3/4 automated version makes use of an automatic board feeder, which is particularly convenient for shorter runs and a fast, efficient changeover between various media sizes or types. The two remaining configurations focus on roll printing, with a master roll-to-roll and a light roll-to-roll model.

As is the case with all Jeti Tauro models, the Jeti Tauro H3300 S LED is powered by Agfa’s Asanti workflow software, which controls and automates the entire printing process from prepress to finishing, while guaranteeing colour consistency and optimising ink consumption. The smart Asanti Production Dashboard displays ink and media consumption and printing time for each job and printer.

The new Jeti Tauro H3300 S LED is ready for installation as of this moment.

“We are committed to inkjet printing and we aim to support our customers by offering them complete and perfectly matched solutions that make their operations more efficient and productive,” says Reinhilde Alaert, Product Manager Sign & Display. “The new Jeti Tauro H3300 S LED is built on the same platform as its bigger brother and marks another step in the expansion of our high-end large-format inkjet printer family. It covers a wide range of media sizes and types – for boards and sheets as well as rolls – and supports all print jobs with fitting automation options that ultimately enable operators to tend to multiple jobs and printing engines simultaneously. The printer’s upgradability – to the speed of the existing Jeti Tauro H3300 model – makes it an ideal starting point for print service providers’ further growth in sign & display printing.”

Mutoh America Inc. a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers, today announces the launch of its new 64 inch dye sublimation printer, XpertJet 1682WR. The latest additions to MUTOH’s award-winning line of wide format printers, paired with MUTOH’s new DH21 Dye Sublimation ink provides improved usability and reduces operational workload which will ensure high-quality prints, high production output, and user-friendly operation.

Standard staggered dual head design, provides great quality and print speeds. Available in both 4 colour (CMYK) and 7 colour (CMYK, Lc,Lm,Lk,) ink configurations for DH21.

The XpertJet platform has all new features specifically designed to enhance the user’s experience, work flow and output quality. Features have been added to improve transport and printing of thinner papers. The XpertJet will be a favourite among users looking to output various types of dye sublimation including textile, hard surfaces, personalisation products, signage and more.

NEW FEATURES OF THE XPERTJET 1682WR PRINTERS INCLUDE:
* New Cover Design – sleek black modern design with easy maintenance access.
* New Automatic Bi-Directional alignment with built in sensor – save time by automatically calibrating printer alignments, increasing ease of use.
* New Touch Panel – user friendly touch panel which only displays keys necessary for desired functions.
* New Internal LED lighting – illuminates work area to easily monitor print status.
* New LED warning indicators – for each ink cartridge slot, showing remaining ink levels.
* MUTOH Status Monitor (MSM) – check’s the printer’s operation status in real time. MSM mobile provides monitoring with a smartphone or tablet.
* New Media Feed Flange Design – allows operators to easily and quickly load media and exchange multiple rolls when the flanges have been mounted in advance.
* New Hi-Torque Media Flange option – for thin and lightweight papers
* New Pressure Roller System- allows operators to manually select and engage individual pressure rollers to minimise cockling

“We are happy to announce and introduce our latest evolution of dye sublimation printers, the XPJ-1682WR produced by MUTOH in Japan – says Randy Anderson, Product Manager for MUTOH, America “We’ve kept the core components that makes MUTOH dye sub printers strong and reliable while adding new technologies that make the printer easier to use.

The XpertJet 1682WR is available now for pre-order through an authorised MUTOH reseller and will start shipping September 2020.

Direct Color systems have introduced the new UV-84DTS.

The UV-84DTS is the largest UV printer from DCS. With the UV-84DTS, the large-format printer market now has the ideal option for doing more. It’s simple really, you can develop more applications, produce more products, and generate more profits with this 4’ x 8’ (120cm x 243cm) UV LED printer. The new unit will be on full display in five (5) sessions during next week's UV PRINTOVATION Virtual Expo - www.directcolorsystems.com/printers/direct-to-substrate-inkjet-printers/uv-84dts-wide-format

Xaar, the leading inkjet printing technology company, has launched a highly advanced, simple to install printhead, following close collaboration with its global OEMs.

Designed to deliver exceptional 720 dpi print resolution quality and performance across a range of applications including ceramics, glass, packaging and label applications, the new Xaar 2002 has been developed specifically to provide fast and easy integration and is ready to use straight out of the box.

Using drop in printhead alignment, mechanical tolerance improvements allow the printheads to be dropped into the printbar easier, making set-up times faster, and machine builds quicker.

Developed following OEM and customer feedback, the ‘plug and print’ capability significantly reduces set-up times and helps save time and money.

In addition, thanks to its new advanced Tuned Actuator Manufacturing - TAM2 - and Xaar AcuChp Technology, the Xaar 2002 also delivers visibly improved colour uniformity across the width of the printhead, further reducing printhead installation and set-up times, therefore maximising uptime.

Print speed is greatly enhanced with the Xaar 2002, enabling lines to be run faster. By using the full capability of the printhead, much higher firing frequencies of up to 36 kHz are now possible, delivering significantly increased printing speeds of up to 75 metres per minute at 720dpi.

Graham Tweedale, General Manager of Xaar’s printhead business unit said; “After extensive collaboration with our global OEMs we worked hard to ensure the Xaar 2002 delivers the operational improvements they have asked for.

“With its simple installation and significantly reduced set-up times, we believe the Xaar 2002 printhead offers the speed and performance our customers now demand for the print applications they provide.”

Each Xaar 2002 printhead can be customised by OEMs, ensuring visibility of their brand on the print engine. Furthermore, the Xaar 2002 is serviceable, lowering the total cost of ownership and providing an excellent return on investment.

Designed for use across a variety of applications and ink types the Xaar 2002 is available in three printhead variants – the Xaar 2002 Plus, Xaar 2002 Premium and Xaar 2002 Advanced, providing customer choice and flexibility for a range of print applications.

The Xaar 2002 printhead also incorporates Xaar’s industry leading TF Technology, High Laydown and Ultra High Viscosity printing capabilities. These provide users with significant performance improvements when compared to other printhead designs. Xaar’s unique TF Technology allows a broader range of ink or other fluids to flow directly past the back of the nozzle at very high flow rates. This prevents the nozzle from drying out, increasing the printhead’s nozzle open time, thereby ensuring the printhead is continuously primed for trouble free start-up, even after periods of non-use.

Incorporating many of the performance features requested by customers, the Xaar 2002 is the first printhead to launch under Xaar’s new leadership team and demonstrates the focus on its new strategy.

“The Xaar 2002 range offers all round ease of set up and use, while delivering the exceptional print quality, unsurpassed reliability and unique technologies Xaar is renowned for,” concluded Graham. “Saving time and maximising print results for our customers, whatever their application.”

The Xaar 2002 is fully backwards compatible with printers already using the Xaar 2001+

Building on its rich heritage in flatbed printing, Canon Production Printing Australia has launched the new Arizona 2300 series. The latest addition in the series of award winning flatbed printers will allow customers to speed up production, improve operational efficiencies and fuel growth opportunities through new applications. The Arizona 2300 series will generally be available in Australia, in 2021. Until then, customers are invited to see the Arizona 2380 XTF with Roll Media Option via online and live demos from Canon’s Customer Experience Centres in the Netherlands (Venlo). The new series has varying ink channel options available (40, 60 and 80) to support a diverse range of applications, which includes three compact GTF models (Arizona 2340 GTF, 2360 GTF, 2380 GTF) with a flatbed area of 1.25m x 2.5m and three large XTF models (Arizona 2340 XTF, 2360 XTF, 2380 XTF) with a flatbed area of 2.5m x 3.08m.

Smart productivity 

Revolutionising flatbed table architecture, the new printer series is built around Arizona FLOW technology, an airflow suction technique that combines a zoneless, multi-origin table layout with easy-to-use pneumatic registration pins to better secure the substrate in place on the table. The result? Productivity up by more than 20% compared with previous generations of Arizona printers, as no operator time is required for masking the table or taping the media down, enabling faster changeover between jobs, shorter set-up times and hassle-free job switching. The FLOW technology makes printing on unusual and more challenging media, such as cardboard, wood and glass, or even printing large images tiled over multiple large boards, easier than ever before. Print from edge to edge on the substrate to benefit from less or no waste, more output and even more possibilities.  

The pneumatic registration pins allow you to align media to either the left or the right edge of the table – or even to both – and you can print 2-up, 4-up and 6-up. Turning the substrate over from front to back and from left to right on the flatbed enables perfect registration when printing double-sided, regardless of whether the substrate has dimensional imperfections. Confidently print on unusual, heavy, smooth or pre-cut media.

Keep productivity at an all-time high by printing up to 95m2/hr while maintaining print quality. The automated maintenance system offers hands-free printhead maintenance and reduces downtime by restoring nozzle functionality in seconds – including for white ink, which is usually difficult to maintain. You no longer have to wait for your printer to warm up – the new Arizona 2300 series offers an instant-on capability through its LED-UV curing system, enabling quicker turnaround for last minute jobs. Plus, its high-resolution camera alignment system enables easy, quick and precise printhead alignment and flatbed table mapping. 

With Arizona Xpert, the Arizona 2300 series has a self-learning capability so you can design – and then repeat – complex, multi-layered projects. The printer remembers the ‘recipe’ for the next time you want to print similar applications, saving you set-up time and automating the production process.

In addition to the Arizona 2300 series, Canon is also introducing Arizona Xpert version 2.1. With new features and ‘recipes’ to further enhance productivity, the software application is able to print intelligent outlines of the media onto the flatbed table for perfect positioning without taping or masking. Arizona Xpert 2.1 supports ‘recipes’ for print and cut workflows via integration with Canon’s ProCut software. Double-sided and multi-panel printing is now easier than ever thanks to maximum automation. No mistakes and, consequently, reduced waste. The software application also enables easy ‘recipe’ exchange between print supplier and designer, so they can see the end product with a 3D view in Adobe Creative Suite®, reducing the chance of design flaws to the bare minimum.

Sustainable by design

The Arizona 2300 series offers LED-UV curing for 40% less energy consumption compared with other flatbed printers thanks to its instant-on operation (as no warm-up period is needed), the longevity of the lamp life and its connectivity to a regular power network. It also offers low ink consumption, using less than 8ml/m² of ink on average, including maintenance.

Manufactured in Germany, the Arizona 2300 series has passed both the German TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein) and DGUV (Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung) assurance tests, which confirm that the product range is in line with health and safety regulations for minimising environmental impact and guaranteeing a safer working environment. Its UV inks are UL GREENGUARD Gold certified, so prints are suitable for use in schools, hotels and hospitals.

To ensure your print room is meeting the specified requirements for air ventilation, an air filtration system is optional to help maintain a healthy working environment for you and your employees. 

A new dimension of possibilities

Achieve superior print quality, print after print, across a broad media range at the fastest production speeds, thanks to the high-key print mode, pixel placement compensation, enhanced screening and the award-winning, third-generation VariaDot printhead technology. If you’re looking for optimum configuration for high-value, high-margin applications, you can add extra ink channels (from four to six and up to eight channels) – including the brightest white ink set and crystal clear glossy varnish. 

Meet any customer demand for printing on hard plastic materials such as acrylic, polycarbonate and styrene. The Roll Media Option allows you to explore a vast range of roll media, including thin, heat-sensitive media up to 220cm. This allows you to easily switch between rigid and flexible media jobs with no machine preparation. 24/7 production becomes a reality for safe, unattended overnight printing with the option of a fully robotised workflow with automated loading and unloading of boards. 

Looking to add a new dimension to your work? The Arizona 2300 series can be equipped with Canon’s textured printing software, Touchstone, enabling applications, such as interior décor products including wallpaper and furniture panels, and functional applications such as braille, to be printed with elevated texture effects. 
 
Dirk Brouns, Vice President, Large Format Graphics said that, “The large format graphics market is driven by innovation and we are fully committed to the R&D programme of our Arizona flatbed solutions. With the Arizona 2300 series, we are introducing new revolutionary flatbed technology: a unique airflow system that simplifies customer workflows and speeds up production processes. We’re excited to bring this product to the market to help our customers fuel new growth opportunities.”

Andrew Cocker, Senior Sales Manager, Large Format Graphics at Canon Production Printing Australia state, “We’re confident that the Arizona 2300 series will enable our customers to boost profits, expand their application possibilities and open up new market opportunities, while achieving operational excellence. With the addition of this new flatbed printer series to our portfolio and alongside our Colorado UVgel roll-to-roll printers, we have a range of large format solutions to suit any and every customer’s needs.” 

Further information about Canon Europe is available at: anz.cpp.canon 

Epson has announced their first-ever 76-inch large-format printer. The SureColor F10060 is a sophisticated, dye-sublimation machine for textile production. It is aimed at high volume producers where speed, reliability, and efficiency are central to success. Some of the numerous applications the SC-F10060 has been designed for include soft signage, fashion, sportswear, home furnishings and décor.
A close up of a printer



Epson SureColor F10060
 
In the dye-sublimation sector, customers demand fast turnaround times and cost-effective production. They also expect reliable operation with consistent high-quality output. With these requirements in mind, Epson has developed an industrial level dye-sublimation printer that, the company believes, sets new standards.
 
The SC-F10060 offers the highest throughput of any Epson LFP released to date. It features four of Epson’s very latest 4.7” PrecisionCore™ Micro TFP printheads that each incorporate four print elements. Active nozzle status monitoring and advanced self-cleaning ensure consistent high quality output at up to 255m2/hr.



Epson 4.7” PrecisionCore™ ꙡTFP print head
 
High speed output is matched with efficient operation. The printer supports media rolls up to 76” wide and 60kg in weight. It features an 80L bulk ink system, an extra-large 155GB buffer memory, high-speed networking and on-board Step & Repeat. Precision feed management and a compact double-sided dryer enables fast roll-to-roll production with consistent tension and parallelism for quality sublimation.
 
The SC-F10060 is designed for easy operation. It features a large 9” colour touch panel display and a transparent platen window with integrated lighting. Downloadable EMX profiles facilitate rapid set-up with common media types. An integrated RGB camera enables easy profile adjustment and fast configuration with new medias.
 


Integrated RGB camera
 
When developing the SC-F10060 Epson carefully considered workflow. The printer can be loaded by single operator, care of an integrated media lifter and dual front and rear feed controls. It also features an industrial style signal lamp and an ink system with automatic hot swap. The SC-F10060 ships complete with Epson Edge Print and Edge Dashboard software and also supports a new service called Epson Cloud Solution PORT (ECSP) that enables detailed production monitoring and advanced status analysis.



Epson Cloud Solution PORT
 
As with all Epson Large Format Printers, the SC-F10060 is backed with a comprehensive service package that offers cover up to five years.  The new ECSP system enables Epson to offer remote support and accelerated repair; problems can be directly analysed and service agents dispatched complete with appropriate parts.
 
To ensure maximum up-time, the optional User Self Replacement of print heads have been enabled, clearly demonstrating Epson has raised the benchmark for production equipment.

Key features and benefits of the of the SC-F10060 include:
• 4 x 4.7” PrecisionCore™ ꙡTFP print heads enable production at up to 255 m2/hr
• Support for media rolls up to 60kg with easy loading and assisted configuration
• Epson UltraChrome® DS ink and Epson Precision Dot Technology for consistent and accurate output with an exceptional gamut using a standard CYMK ink set
• Dual ink supply system with automatic hot-swap that operates with a choice of 3L or 10L boxed based ink for a total capacity of up to 80L
• Advanced new platen design and intelligent media management enable support for the widest range of media (including ultra-thin stocks) with rapid assisted set-up
• Integrated double sided drying system and high-precision auto take-up enables efficient roll-to-roll production in a surprising compact 76” form factor
• Oeko-Tex™ certification ensures fabric produced on the printer is safe for adults, children and infants 
• Supplied with Epson Edge Print, Edge Dashboard and Accounting software
• Designed for durable and reliable operation with Linear Motion Guide carriage movement, heavy duty DC motors and auto head cleaning
• Comprehensive and flexible support up to 5 years complete with Epson Cloud Solution PORT and optional User Self Replacement of print heads.

The SureColor F10060 is available for ordering now from authorised Epson Large Format fabric printing solutions resellers.
 
To find out more, visit www.epson.com.au

As businesses and public spaces continue to slowly open their doors to the public, temporary floor graphics have been used to meet regional requirements, and deliver healthcare best practice, helping to minimise the spread of COVID-19.     
                  
The reason for the rapid adoption of floor graphics as the go-to solution in the marketplace for temporary, reliable, and effective visual communication lies in the fact that if can be applied quickly and easily, in a wide range of environments. 

However, as in all such rapid uptakes of graphics solutions, there are lessons that have been learned which will help you ensure you floor graphics always make a good impression, regardless of how harsh the environment or how much footfall they endure. 

We have consulted with our product experts to provide you with some tips that will see you putting your best foot forward.
Top 7 tips for floor graphics application: 

Tip #1 Before quoting, know the floor surface and type (smooth, textured, carpet) as well as the environment (indoor or outdoor). Making the right product choice ensures the decals do the job they are meant to.

Tip #2 Use the correct non-slip product. Installations require a minimum slip rating for the decal surface to meet floor safety standards. This requisite applies to all public areas and is referenced as P (pendulum) and or R (ramp) slip resistance rating. Products being used should have the minimum required slip rating, tested to Australian Standards AS 4586:2013. These testing certifications for relevant products will be available from your trusted supplier. 

Tip #3 Graphic design and profiling cutting - avoid sharp corners and angles which can cause lifting. Circular decals are ideal, however adding radius corners to rectangular or square shapes will also limit corners peeling up. 

Tip #4 Before application, ensure the floor surface is clean and dry. For outside surfaces especially, brush-off with a broom to remove any dust or dirt. Cleaning may involve the use of a mild detergent mixed with water and ideally, a final wipe off with a cloth and iso-propyl alcohol (IPA). Avoid applying pavement graphics when the surface is wet or damp. Plan your application at least 72 hours or longer since the last rain fall in the area. Moisture and rising damp through porous outdoor surfaces like pavers and tiles will reduce adhesion and may result in the decal failure.

Tip #5 During application, avoid grout lines, expansion joins and any uneven surfaces wherever possible to prevent graphics lifting or peeling up. 

Tip #6 When applying floor decals onto sealed or varnished surfaces, conduct a spot test by applying the selected product to a small, discreet section of floor, then removing before undertaking the project. This ensures the correct sealant or varnish was used and removal will not result in any damage.     

Tip #7 Current social distancing campaigns may require longer life-cycles for floor graphics, compared to the traditional shorter-term advertising campaigns for which they have been typically employed. However, it is important to remember that these graphics must still be replaced in a timely manner to negate signs of wear and tear, and damage that may result in safety risks and trip-hazards. Not only will a regular refresh of graphics ensure safety remains a key priority, but it also allows you to refresh and update messaging for maximum utility. 

A new LittleRed X1D Dryer designed to cure DTG-printed and/or screen-printed garments is equipped with a 137 cm wide conveyor belt, offering greater capacity and flexibility for smaller shops, it was announced by Mark Vasilantone, president.

Equipped with a 122 cm wide heater, the new dryer can cure up to 46 garments per hour DTG-printed with digital white ink at 3 minutes dwell time, 162 garments per hour screen-printed with water-based ink or discharge, and 324 garments per hour screen-printed with plastisol inks.  

The LittleRed X1D conveyor dryer is also suitable for curing of DTG pretreatment, and offers greater production capacity with less operator attention while eliminating the flattened, ironed-on appearance of heat pressed images.

It is equipped as standard with features found on the company's larger DTG-capable dryers including: belt-to-heater clearance to accommodate bulky items; a 168 cm long X-Series conveyor belt roller tracking system with Teflon-coated fibreglass belt; and dual digital controls—the first to rapidly attain optimum curing temperature, and the second to safely maintain the ink and garment at that temperature to finalise the curing process. 

This model also has a newly redesigned air mapping system that pulls fumes and moisture away from the immediate environment while providing air flow to cool the skin of the heating chamber for operator safety.

The heaters of all Vastex dryers carry an industry-leading 15-year warranty, and feature closely spaced coils that provide high-density, medium-wavelength infrared heat for maximum cure speed without cold spots or under curing associated with conventional units.

Fully expandable, the X1D-54 can accommodate additional heating chambers and belt extensions, allowing capacity/belt speed to be doubled or tripled as needs grow. 
The company also offer DTG-capable conveyor dryers in widths up to 198 cm with capacities of up to 231 DTG-printed garments per hour, up to 555 per hour screen-printed with water-based ink and discharge, and up to 1080 per hour screen-printed with plastisol ink.

Vastex also manufacture heavy-, medium- and light-duty presses, athletic numbering systems, flash cure units, screen coaters, screen exposing units, screen drying cabinets, pin registration systems, washout booths and complete equipment packages for entry-level to large commercial shops. 

For information contact Vastex International, Inc., +1 610 625 2702, www.vastex.com

In response to the Victorian governments mandate that everyone is to wear masks outside the home, Vivad have partnered with printer manufacturer Durst, to start manufacturing printed reusable "Community-Masks".
 
The "Community-Masks" have a certified filter membrane (type N95) with hydrophobic properties and microporous structure. Despite the high filtration efficiency of up to 95%, they are particularly breathable and suitable for long wearing. The masks are not sold as medical grade.

Customers will be able to apply their own branding, or choose an existing design. The masks will be available for purchase through Vivad’s web-to-print portal at www.vivad.com.au in the coming days, but stocks will be limited until production can be increased to meet the demand.