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PLUS: 路 Specs on 130 Rollfed Printers 路 ISA 2011: The Recap 路 A Laminator Sourcelist
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in this issue
JULY 2011 Volume 16 Number 7
COLUMNS 4 InSight
vercoming O those technology challenges.
12 Business & Management
hy you should W make the socialmedia journey.
DEPARTMENTS 6 Wide Angle
FEATURES
14 Roll Call: 2011 Rollfed Printer Charts
8 Up Front
re you looking to add a new rollfed printer to your shop’s tool chest? To help A you navigate the rollfed universe and keep you up-to-date on the latest technologies, here’s our annual in-depth compilation of data and specs for 130 rollfed printers from more than 20 companies.
28 JDF — Ready for Take-Off?
By Jake Widman
JDF is the automating agent that’s about to change how your work flows. Several companies involved in the advancement of JDF provide their thoughts on what lies ahead for this efficiency enhancer.
32 Big Numbers: ISA Sign Expo 2011
In true Vegas fashion, ISA experienced big numbers this past April, hitting the jackpot when it came to exhibitors, attendees, educational sessions, and more. Here’s a showcase of just some of the event’s most intriguing print-related products and technologies.
38 Laminators & Finished Business
Want to find a fountain of youth for your print work? We’ve assembled a roster of more than 40 companies producing laminators that protect, encapsulate, and mount wide-format graphics.
ON THE COVER: JDF, the Job Definition Format, is “the plumbing” that’s about to change how your work flows. Cover design by Laura Mohr.
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
I want to “rock and roll all nite.” ews + N noteworthy.
48 Job Log
raphics that are G fit for a rap king.
Mimaki_JV34_F_BP0711_Layout 1 6/6/11 10:14 AM Page 1
New! Faster! Affordable!
$ 103”for under 60K
u Fast drying for high speed performance The 3-stage intelligent heater – before, during and after printing – not only improves ink performance, but in combination with the automatic drying fan, allows media to be dried thoroughly for immediate take-up.
u
u UISS Mimaki’s Uninterrupted Ink Supply System ensures continuous ink supply for long runs. An optional bulk ink system (shown) is available for even longer print runs.
Stable media tension Mimaki’s Automatic Media Feeder (AMF) and front take-up rollers maintain even tension for optimum control on long running jobs and heavier media.
Super wide [103” max. print], super fast [323 sqft/hr], super affordable [under $60,000 MSRP] Introducing the JV34-260 Super Wide Format Inkjet Printer – a versatile workhorse with the same super features as the JV33-260, but a whole lot faster.
2 INCHES
DYE SUB INK
ATL
MEDIA FEED
The JV34-260’s newly developed dual print heads, in a staggered arrangement, are the key to this printer’s significantly faster imaging speed – up to 323 sqft/hr (at 540 x 720 dpi). After all, faster imaging equals increased, more efficient productivity – a plus to any bottom line.
More outstanding features: u Along with the full length AMF, a narrow take-up roller is included for media under 64 inches. u Variable dot technology for smooth gradations, high quality images and sharp text. u Print head height can be adjusted to either 2 or 3mm to accommodate the media thickness.
Just a few JV34-260 industry applications:
The JV34-260 offers water-based ink versatility.* It can be configured for either durable SS21 solvent inks or SB52 dye sub inks. An optional bulk ink system from Mimaki is also available for additional ink cost savings.
u Billboards, Banners, Indoor Advertising & Signage, Wall Graphics & Murals, Soft Signage, Exhibit Graphics, Custom Textiles – whatever super-sized idea comes your way.
See the JV34-260 and more... Booth 3423 | Chicago • Sept. 11-13
*Ink type must be chosen at time of installation. Sublimation printing corresponds to printing on transfer paper.
888-530-3988
BOS
888-530-3986
CHI
888-530-3985
EXPO Booth 745 | New Orleans • Oct. 19-21
LA
888-530-3987
®
www.mimakiusa.com
© 2011, Mimaki USA, Inc. • 150-A Satellite Blvd., NE, Suwanee, GA 30024-7128, USA Fax: 678-730-0200. Outside the USA: Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. • www.mimaki.co.jp
insight by Gregory Sharpless
www.bigpicture.net Gregory Sharpless Editor/Associate Publisher gregory.sharpless@stmediagroup.com
Overcoming Technology Challenges When I told our young associate editor that my first journalism job entailed me using a typewriter, her eyes went wide with disbelief. Of course, this is the same associate editor who constantly ridicules my use of a 2003-edition cell phone because it is, according to her, already approaching “antique” status. But for you similarly young whippersnappers out there, it’s true: Nearly 30 years ago, many journalists were still pounding away on their trusty Smith-Coronas or IBM Selectrics. As you walked into a newsroom or publishing company, the sound from all those typewriters could be deafening when they were all click-clacking simultaneously. I’m reminded of that former keystroking technology this June morning as I write this column because our company’s server is down. Hence, I’m computer-free. But, no, I’ve not pulled the “emergency typewriter” out of the company closet. Instead, I’m composing this month’s editor’s notes with my technology of choice: a Pilot G-2 07 Gel pen, and doing so onto standard Mead lined notebook paper. It’s a bit slower, but it gets the job done. We all depend on some kind of technology to do our jobs. And it’s great to be able to have the resources to obtain and utilize the latest and the greatest on a daily basis. But it’s also challenging to see what we can do – and how well we can do it – when that technology is temporarily put on hold and we have to come up with Plan B or Plan C. I’d be curious to find out what similar “technology challenges” you and your shop have encountered recently and how you’ve overcome them. Okay, our IT guy just popped in this morning and, apparently with the click of a magic button that only he knows exists, the server is fi xed and the computer is up and running. I can now put away the Pilot Gel and fire up the screen. I was getting a bit of an odd sensation in my finger with all that handwriting anyway. One final note of interest about technology, by the way: Harlan Ellison, the noted science-fiction writer, has solely used typewriters for all his work. He’s even trained himself to repair them – likely because he can find no one else to do so. Interestingly, however, he does have a website.
Britney Grimmelsman Associate Editor britney.grimmelsman@stmediagroup.com Laura Mohr Art Director laura.mohr@stmediagroup.com Marty McGhie, Craig Miller, Jared Smith Columnists Linda Volz Production Supervisor linda.volz@stmediagroup.com Lou Arneberg - Midwest US Ben Stauss - Western US, Western Canada, Asia Lisa Zurick - Eastern US, Eastern Canada, Europe Business Development Managers Rick Bachelder, Kathy Boydstun, Terry Corman, Scott Crosby, Brandon Gabriel, Michael Garcia, Kirk Green, Robert Kissel, Craig Miller, Greg Root, Jared Smith, Mark Taylor Editorial Advisory Board
Tedd Swormstedt President Steve Duccilli Group Publisher Christine Baloga Audience Development Director Kari Freudenberger Director, Online Media Subscription Services (847) 763-4938 tbp@halldata.com bigpicture.net/subscribe bigpicture.net/renew
PS Because our in-depth recap of the ISA Sign Expo this month (see page 32) focuses so much on new products and technology, we’ve opted to pull our usual “R&D” department for this issue. It will return next month. THE BIG PICTURE (ISSN 1082-9660) is published 12 times annually by ST Media Group International Inc., 11262 Cornell Park Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45242-1812. Telephone: (513) 421-2050, Fax: (513) 362-0317. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to non-qualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $42 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions in Canada: $70 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $92 (Int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2011, by ST Media Group International Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. Periodicals Postage Paid at Cincinnati, OH and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Big Picture, P.O. Box 1060, Skokie, IL 60076. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to The Big Picture, P.O. Box 1060, Skokie, IL 60076.
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THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
Single Copies/Back Issues Debbie Reed debbie.reed@stmediagroup.com 11262 Cornell Park Drive Cincinnati, OH 45242 tel (513) 421-2050 fax (513) 421-5144
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wide angle
‘Wrap and Roll All Nite’ To help raise money for UNICEF in aiding children in Japan and emergencies around the world, Mini USA — the maker of the Mini auto — partnered with legendary rock band Kiss to launch a “Mini Rocks the Rivals” test-drive tour in the US. Kiss made the announcement live at the New York Auto Show this past April as four Mini Countryman vehicles with Kiss-inspired designs and wraps debuted, each design representing a band member’s face. The wraps were created by Original Wraps (originalwraps.com), the print shop that’s partnered with Mini to produce the carmaker’s personalized Mini Motoring Graphics. The designs at the New York show were then painted onto four Countryman vehicles, which were signed by Kiss and auctioned via eBay. 6
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
www.bigpicture.net
upfront upfront
Down Under Makeover When Oakland Zoo’s Wild Australia exhibit kicked off last summer, guests were brought “down under” without ever stepping foot outside of California, with live animals straight from the Outback and the melodic tunes of Didgeridoo music. To celebrate the additions of several Australian wallaroo and emu, Oakland Zoo created a 3.5-acre Wild Australia exhibit surrounding its railroad tracks – inviting guests to hop on the Outback Express and be immersed in all things Oz. First order of business: replacing outdated signage with Australian-inspired designs. Family-owned Vision Isle (visionisle.com) in San Leandro, California, came on board to help the zoo create the faux Australia, beginning with brainstorming various stock sources and local photographers’ websites for Aussie-like imagery, as well as capturing images of the new Oakland Zoo animals using a Nikon Coolpix 5700 digital camera. Welcoming signage for Outback Express was printed onto ¹⁄₈-inch 3A Composites Dibond and ¼-inch Laminators Inc. Omega aluminum panels, and a 12 x 21-foot tunnel-cover graphic was output onto sheets of 6-mm Sintra. A life-size wallaroo and zoo keeper standee created using ½-inch plywood wrapped in 3M Controltac vinyl with 3M laminate add an element of surprise to the Australian adventure. And to offer the animals a bit of privacy, Vision Isle created a 7.5 x 505-foot realistic
8
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
graphic covering the fenced-in housing (a local photographer’s image of Australia’s Ayers Rock was used for the imagery). All print work was done on the shop’s Colorspan DisplayMaker 72UVR hybrid printer. Not being satisfied with basic flat signage, Vision Isle produced 3D creations for the Australian paradise, including an old-fashioned gas pump made from scratch. “I traveled up and down hardware stores to piece the gas pump together,” says Vision Isle’s Carden Smith. “The handle, for example, was made out of an electrical box, a hose from a garbage disposal, a robe holder that hangs on a door, PVC pipe, and stainlesssteel wire. The main body of the pump was framed out of 2 x 4-feet plywood, the face was ¹⁄₈-in. Dibond, and the outer body was ¼-in. Sintra.” The shop also developed an element of “makeunder” – a 9.25 x 12.5-feet and 16-feet-tall worn-down shack of sorts. “The hut is basically created from a twodimensional photo. The structure is composed of 2 x 4 and 4 x 4 posts, as you would build a house structure, only this is open in the back for use as a storage facility or an animal hideout,” says Smith. The walls were constructed of printed 6mm Sintra, and hand-coated with a UV laminate for a weathered look. The shack’s polycarbonate corrugated sheet roof was direct-printed to give the appearance of rusted metal.
60%
Nearly 60 percent of work interruptions now involve either using tools like e-mail, social networks, text messaging, and IM, or switching among disparate standalone tools and applications, according to a recent uSamp survey of 500 employees in US businesses of all sizes. Forty-five percent of employees work only 15 minutes or less without getting interrupted, and 53 percent waste at least one hour a day due to all types of distractions. That hour per day translates into $10,375 of wasted productivity per person annually, assuming an average salary of $30/hour. The survey was conducted by uSamp (United Sample) and commissioned by harmon.ie.
market metrics
Installed Base of UV Printers Worldwide 2009
9837
2010
11,129
2011
12,700
2012
14,502
2013
16,496
18,560
2014
19,781
2015 0
5000
10,000
15,000
20,000
By 2015, projects consulting firm I.T. Strategies, the number of installed UV printers worldwide will more than double from its 2009 number, to nearly 20,000. Source: “Wide Format Ink Jet Graphics Forecast Analysis – 2011,” by I.T. Strategies (it-strategies.com).
Image Options Acquires ICP West’s Assets
Photo by Peter Barrot.
Image Options of Foothill Ranch, California, has acquired the assets of ICP West, also located in Foothill Ranch. Image Options (imageoptions.net) reports it has signed a new long-term lease on the former ICP West 50,000-squarefoot facility and will consolidate its existing digital facility into the building by July. The acquired assets include a Thieme 5 color 64 x 100inch in-line screen press and substantial finishing equipment. The new facility will include six EFI Vutek printers, two Lightjets, a DuPont Artistri dye-sublimation machine, four Epson printers, an HP Scitex Turbojet, two iCut CNC machines, substantial fabrication and finishing capabilities, and more, the company reports.
www.bigpicture.net
upfront
EFI VUTEK GS3250LX
“Just because another business in the same industry appears to be performing a lot better than yours, that does not mean your business is doing poorly! Don’t fall into the trap of comparing your perceived weaknesses against a competitor’s strengths. Your goals are the only ones that matter in your world. Too often, any other form of comparison leads to disappointment.” – E-MYTH BUSINESS COACH (E-MYTH.COM)
10
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
Connect 2011: Previewing EFI’s Newest Innovations In Las Vegas, just before and during ISA Expo, EFI held its 12th annual Connect Users Conference at the Wynn hotel. In addition to a broad array of educational sessions, user group meetings, speakers, and exhibitors, the 1000 conference attendees were able to see demonstrations and test drive in the lab area the latest EFI products before their official release. For print providers working in wide format, one of the highlights was the introduction of the EFI Vutek GS3250LX, a new production-level UV printer utilizing “cool cure” LED technology. The LED-lamp technology allows the machine to consume less energy, increases uptime and requires less maintenance, and expands the range of substrates that can be printed on, EFI reports. The printer features an 8-color inkset (CMYKcmyk) + white, a selectable dual resolution of 600 or 1000 dpi, and a print speed up to 2400 sq ft/hr in Fast-5 (4-color+white) mode (1200 sq ft/hr in 8-color+white mode). The GS3250LX can accommodate flexible or rigid substrates up to 126.5 in. and up to 2-in. thick; it is also multi-roll capable (two 60-in. rolls). Other features include: instant on/off; a precision alignment fence of accurate board alignment; an enhanced Fiery XF 4.5 RIP; and more. Options include a heavy-duty unwinder, extension table, and small-depth extension table. EFI reports that Vutek GS2000 machines will be able to be upgraded to LED technology in the future. A highlight of the lab area was the Digital Workflow Experience, showcasing an integrated workflow from submission to output. The demo followed a job from EFI Digital StoreFront Web-to-print solution, to EFI Pace and EFI Monarch print MIS systems, to Fiery XF production RIP, and then to an EFI Vutek printer. “This year’s lab area had the largest diversity of demos and products across our portfolio ever shown at Connect, a perfect match to our largest-ever group of customer attendees,” says Frank Mallozzi, EFI’s senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. Conference attendees could see and become familiar with an array of other new products and technologies as well, including: • A new PrintStream Fulfi llment module for Pace and Monarch; • The recently launched EFI Radius Small Business Edition and the latest version of Radius Enterprise Edition; • The upcoming version of EFI Pace, highlighting Vutek, Fiery print servers, and Fiery XF integration, scheduling enhancements, a new mobile Web application, and a new Outlook plug-in; • A preview of the forthcoming edition of EFI Monarch; • A preview of the next version of EFI Digital StoreFront; and • The company’s Jetrion 4830 and the Rastek H652 printers, along with proofing products, including the newest versions of Colorproof XF and Fiery XF.
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> SGS Match: Private fact-finding meetings with sponsoring companies. > LinkedIn Discussions: Invitation-only discussions via LinkedIn during 2011. > Webinars: Free to attendees and all their employees. > SGS Social Events: Meet with peer executives at major industry events.
January 23-25, 2012 | Phoenix | Arizona Grand Resort Join us in Phoenix for the sixth annual Signage and Graphics Summit. It’s the only business-management conference for leaders of high-volume sign, screenand digital-printing operations. Subscribe to the SGS eUpdate at: signageandgraphics.com
Presented by:
In Partnership with:
Association Sponsor:
business business++management management
Social Media: Why Make the Journey? By Julie Shaffer and Mary Garnett
W
hile the specific reasons for businesses to engage in social media marketing differ depending upon whether a company is in the business-to-business (B-to-B) or business-to-consumer (B-to-C) space, large or small, the basic goals are similar. If we were to boil these down to their core essence, the three primary motivators for engaging in social media are to build brand awareness, to nurture relationships, and build brand loyalty. These all lead to the main goal, which is ultimately to drive sales. Big corporations are embracing social media at an astonishing rate. PR firm Burson-Marsteller asked the Fortune Global 100 companies how they were using social media and came up with these results: 65 percent have active Twitter accounts; 54 percent have Facebook pages; 50 percent have a YouTube channel; and 33 percent have a corporate blog. Those who use these new social outlets are not merely setting up sites and letting them lie fallow, either. The study shows that 82 percent tweeted in the past week, and 68 percent posted an update on a Facebook page. Social media gives companies the opportunity to speak directly to their customers from a corporate level. It’s like a direct feed into the minds of their audience. By engaging with customers directly via social media channels, companies are working toward the primary goals of social media marketing: building brand awareness, nurturing relationships, and building brand loyalty.
JULIE SHAFFER is vice president, digital technologies, and MARY GARNETT is executive vice president at Printing Industries of America. This information is excerpted from Social Media Field Guide: A Resource for Graphic Communicators, written by Shaffer and Garnett (available online at print.org). Case studies are attributed to MarketingSherpa (marketingsherpa.com).
12
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
Brand awareness and elevation Brand awareness refers to the elevation of your company’s name, value, and capabilities in order to place it at the top of mind with a customer. Assuredly, building and maintaining brand awareness is a chief concern for any marketer. For a printer, building brand awareness means to capture your customer’s attention so that when he or she thinks of a partner for a cross-media campaign, your company or sales rep is thought of first. If one of your current customers were considering a new marketing program, perhaps involving a QR code billboard or P-O-P campaign, would your shop be the first to come to mind? “Growing the network” refers to increasing the number of people who are in your sphere of influence in your vertical market. In thinking of the traditional concept of the “sales funnel,” growing the network would be increasing the number of people who could or would enter the funnel (and ultimately, it is hoped, increasing those that emerge on the other side as customers). Search engines are the new Yellow Pages and the current way to be “found” by prospective clients. Most people who are searching for a new vendor or supplier of a service will query keywords or phrases on Internet search engines such as Google, Bing, or Yahoo. A March 2010 Nielsen study comparing US search rankings shows Google and Yahoo searches account for 79 percent of all searches, while a Yellow Pages search is at a mere 0.2 percent. Search engine optimization, or SEO, refers to undertaking actions and activities to secure a first-page listing when keywords related to the company are entered into the search engine. There are numerous examples of businesses that build brand awareness with social media, but wine-shop owner Gary Vaynerchuk is one example worth reading about because he both built a brand and increased his sales through social methods. He is an incredible example of going into a field with many, many other wine distributors – with big names and huge budgets – and he made it! Vaynerchuk worked to build a persona as a wine expert using social media tools such as a blog, Twitter feeds, and YouTube, as well as webcasts on topics of wine, >46
SGIA Communities
GRAPHIC AND SIGN
INDUSTRIAL USE
GARMENT DECORATORS
INSTALLERS
Sign up to beNow! notified as soon Register as registration opens!
SGIA.org SGIA.org Keyword: 2011Expo Keyword: 2011Expo
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association
703.385.1335 • SGIA.org Untitled-1 1 Untitled-2 1 1 Untitled-1
5/16/11 10:56 AM 2/15/11 10:50 3:21 PM 3/31/11 AM
ROLL CALL In a recent survey at the ISA Expo by the International Sign Association and InfoTrends (see pg 35), nearly 75 percent of print-shop CEOs indicated they would be investing in new equipment in the next 12 months. And a quarter of those planning on an investment said a wide-format printer was at the top of their to-buy list. So where do you start the search? Certainly, it’s important to attend shows like ISA Expo, SGIA Expo, and Graph Expo to get an initial look-see at a piece of equipment. Similarly, visiting a shop that already houses a machine you might have in mind can add some on-the-floor knowledge to your purchasing decision. But in the beginning phase of the equipment-decision process, it’s critical to also get as many facts and figures in front of you as possible. Only then can you truly see the universe of printers, and begin weeding out those that probably do not work for your business – and focusing on those printers that will. Enter The Big Picture’s annual rollfed printer charts. On the pages that follow are specifications and data of more than 130 rollfed printer models. With the information here, you’ll be able to quickly pinpoint some machines of interest and then begin to move onto the next stage of your selection process. Note: Keep in mind that this month’s charts comprise only rollfed printers; we’ll feature flatbed printers in our August issue.
Trends and specs Twenty-three companies responded to our requests for information on their rollfed printers this year, an increase from 2010. Some trends noted in looking over the specs you’ll find on the pages that follow: 14
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
Detailed specifications on 130 rollfed printers.
New introductions: Of the 130 printers listed here, 45 were introduced in 2010 or 2011. Or think of it this way: More than a third of all rollfed printers seen here are new introductions into the market, showing that manufacturers continue to listen and respond to print providers’ requests for additional features, improvements, and other changes. UV holding steady: More than 20 rollfed printers utilize UV-curing technologies, which is about the same as last year but more than double the number indicated in 2008. The color of money: Close to half (47%) of all rollfed printers you see here are offering something beyond standard CMYK or CMYKcm inksets. And about 20% of the printers are making white ink available. Both solutions can lead to more profits for print providers. Wider choices: More than a quarter of all the rollfeds are now available in widths of 100 inches or more. Why print small and seam, the argument is, when you can simply go big from the get-go? As you look over this year’s charts, here are the specs you’ll see noted: • Company and website: We’ve listed the manufacturing company rather than the distributor. If a company has an exclusive US distributor, we’ve listed that information in the “Notes” area. • Printer model: We’ve generally combined models if the only difference between them is maximum media width or number of colors offered. • Maximum media width (in inches): Note that this is media width, not image width – typically, image width will be 1 to 2 inches less than media width. Minimum here is 24 inches. • Maximum media thickness: Since more and more roll-
and sheetfed printers can accommodate thicker media, we have added this spec for your convenience. • Media: What kind of media will the printer handle – roll, sheet, rigid? For this month’s charts, we have not included printers that are tagged as hybrids or primarily flatbeds; these will be covered in our August issue. • Printhead technology: Inkjet piezo, inkjet thermal, photo imager/LED/laser, other? • Colors: Which colors does the printer support? We did not include monochrome units. In the case of photo printers, we’ve indicated this with an “n/a.” • Ink types accepted: Aqueous dye? Aqueous pigmented? Solvent? Mild Solvent? UV Curable? Oil-based? Sublimation? Other? • Minimum and maximum true/apparent resolution: What is the minimum true/apparent resolution in dots per inch (dpi)? Some manufacturers have provided just one spec here. • Maximum speed at a specific resolution: What is the printer’s fastest speed (square feet/hr) and resolution (dpi)? Note that some manufacturers provided the speed but not the resolution; some have listed this in pages per minute. • High-quality speed at a specific resolution: What is the speed (square feet/hr) and resolution (dpi) for high-quality printing? Again, some manufacturers provided the speed, but not the resolution. • RIP: What type of raster image processor comes standard with the printer, if any? If not standard, what optional RIPs are available? • Year Intro: What year was this printer introduced? • Price: What’s the selling price of this printer? • Warranty: How long is the warranty period?
• On-site Service Contract: What’s the cost of an on-site service contract? • Training: Is training standard with the purchase of the printer? Is it an option? If the latter, what is the cost? • Notes: Additional information not covered in chart cells.
Seeking a digital version? As you go through the charts, keep in mind that all information was provided by the manufacturers/suppliers. We asked for specs only on currently available printers or printers that would soon be on the market. In addition, we have strived to include only printers that currently have distribution in the US, which represents our core readership base. The majority of our readers tell us they would not typically consider buying a machine that does not have US distribution and/or service. Also note that we have included some badged machines that are based on other companies’ products; typically, these are geared toward specific niche applications or markets. Too, some manufacturers did not provide information on newly released printers; in addition, some manufacturers chose to not include models that seemed to still be on the market and we honored these requests. Prefer your data in digital format? A reminder here about our annual Printer Sourcebook, which combines these charts with our upcoming August-issue flatbed/ hybrid charts and does so in digital PDF format. We’ll publish the Sourcebook in early autumn and post to bigpicture.net (look for announcements on the site as well as via Linked-In (linkedin.com/groups?gid=1823369), Twitter (twitter.com/bigpicturemag), and Facebook (facebook. com/thebigpicturemagazine). www.bigpicture.net
15
2011 rollfed printers Model
Max. Media Width (in.)
Max. Media Thickness
Media Handled
Printhead Tech
Colors
Ink Types
Min. Resolution (dpi)
Max. Resolution (dpi)
Jeti 3312/24
126
0.5 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Solvent
300/300
600/ 600
Agfa
Jeti 3324 Aquajet
126
0.3 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Aq Pig
400/800
400/ 800
Agfa
Jeti 3348 Galaxy
126
0.5 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
UVCurable
300/300
600/ 1200
Agfa
Jeti 3348 Jetspeed
126
0.5 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
UVCurable
300/300
300/ 300
Agfa
Jeti 3348 HSS
128
0.125 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Solvent
300/600
300/ 600
Agfa
Jeti 5024
200
0.5 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Solvent
300/300
600/ 600
Agfa
Jeti 5048 XL
196
0.125 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
UVCurable
300/600
300/ 600
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF605
24
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK + multi K/gray
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF610/ iPF710
24/36
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK + multi K/gray
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
imagpeProGraf iPF650/ iPF750
24/36
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK + multi K/gray
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF655/ iPF755
24/36
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK + multi K/gray
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF815
44
0.8 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK + multi K/gray
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF825
44
0.8 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK + multi K/gray
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF6100
24
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKRGBcmk+ photo cyan + multi K/gray
Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF6300
24
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (cut sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKRGBcmk + photo cyan + multi K/gray
Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF6300S
24
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (cut sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKRGBcmyk + photo cyan, magenta + multi K/gray
Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF6350
24
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKRGBcm + photo cyan + multi K/gray
Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
image ProGraf iPF8000S
44
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKRGBcmyk + photo cyan, magenta + multi K/gray
Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF8300
44
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKRGBcmk + photo cyan + multi K/gray
Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Company
Agfa agfa.com
usa.canon.com
16
THE BIG PICTURE july 2011
n
Max Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
High-Quality Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
RIP
Year Intro’d
Price
Warranty
Onsite Service
Training
Notes
n/a
n/a
Jeti Soft 1
2006
n/a
1 yr
Avail. 2
Incl.
Backlit camera option. 1 Opt. Caldera, Onyx, Wasatch; 2 Avail w/JetiWorx program.
650 @ 400
550 @ 400
Jeti Soft
2008
n/a
1 yr
Avail. 1
Incl.
1
862 @ 600
770 @ 800
Jeti Soft 1
2008
n/a
1 yr
Avail. 2
Incl.
2500 @ 300
1750 @ 800
Jeti Soft 1
2008
n/a
1 yr
Avail. 2
Incl.
2500 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
Jeti Soft 1
2011
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
High Speed Solvent unit. 1 Opt. Caldera, Onyx, Wasatch.
n/a
n/a
Jeti Soft 1
2004
n/a
1 yr
Avail. 2
Incl.
Backlit camera option. 1 Opt. Caldera, Onyx, Wasatch; 2 Avail. w/JetiWorx program.
2946 @ 300
1427 @ 300
Jeti Soft 1
2011
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Opt. saddle rollers to accommodate multiple roll printing. 1 Opt. Caldera, Onyx, Wasatch.
609 @ 1200
72 @ 2400
Opt.
2007
$1295
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. PosterArtist Lite, HDI driver for AutoCAD, printer driver, plug-in for Microsoft Office, more.
609/659 @ 1200
72/79 @ 2400
Opt.
2007
$2545/ $3495
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. PosterArtist Lite, HDI driver for AutoCAD, printer driver, plug-in for Microsoft Office, more.
653/779 @1200
73/79 @ 2400
Opt.
2009
$3195/ $4995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. PosterArtist Lite, printer driver, Photo Front-Access, Printer Driver Extra kit, HDI for AutoCAD, plug-in for Microsoft Office.
653/779 @ 1200
73/79 @ 2400
Opt.
2009
$3195/ $4995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. PosterArtist Lite, HDI driver for AutoCAD, printer driver, plug-in for Microsoft Office, more.
688 @ 1200
89 @ 1200
Opt.
2010
$5795
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. PosterArtist Lite, HDI driver for AutoCAD, printer driver, plug-in for Microsoft Office, more.
688 @ 1200
89 @ 1200
Opt.
2010
$7495
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Dual-roll printer incl. PosterArtist Lite, HDI driver for AutoCAD, printer driver, plug-in for Microsoft Office, more.
258 @ 1200
45 @ 2400
Opt.
2007
$2895
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. printer driver, plug-in for Photoshop, more.
252 @ 1200
44 @ 2400
Opt.
2010
$3695
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. printer driver, plug-in for Photoshop, more. Uses Lucia EX ink.
593 @ 1200
68 @ 2400
Opt.
2011
$2995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. PosterArtist Lite, printer driver, print plug-in for Photoshop/DDP/Microsoft Office/Accounting Manager, more.
252 @ 1200
44 @ 2400
Opt.
2010
$3995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. PosterArtist Lite software, printer driver, plug-in for Photoshop, 80g hard drive, stand, starter roll of paper, more.
350 @ 1200
90 @ 2400
Opt.
2007
$5995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. printer driver, plug-in for Photoshop, stand, starter roll of paper, more.
n/a
Incl. printer driver, plug-in for Photoshop, Printer Driver Extra kit, 80g hard drive, more. Lucia EX inks. Canon continues next pg.
297 @ 1200
50 @ 2400
Opt.
2010
$5995
1 yr
n/a
Avail. w/JetiWorx program.
Opt. Caldera, Onyx, Wasatch; 2 Avail. w/JetiWorx program. 1
Opt. Caldera, Onyx, Wasatch; 2 Avail. w/JetiWorx program. 1
www.bigpicture.net
17
2011 rollfed printers Company
Model
Canon USA
imageProGraf iPF8300S
Max. Media Width (in.)
Max. Media Thickness
Media Handled
Printhead Tech
Colors
Ink Types
Min. Resolution (dpi)
Max. Resolution (dpi)
44
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKRGBcmyk + photo cyan, magenta + multi K/gray
Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKRGBcmyk + photo cyan, magenta + multi K/gray
Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
Canon USA
image ProGraf iPF9000S
60
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Canon USA
image ProGraf iPF9100
60
0.8 (roll), 1.5 (sheet) mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKRGBcmk + photo cyan + multi K/g
Aq Pig
1200
1200/ 2400
X-Press HK512/ RK512
72/120
20 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMKYcmW + spot + varnish
UVCurable
360
1440
Genesys 6400ES
64
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Aq Dye, Aq Pig, Sublimation
360 x 360
1440 x 1440
Rho 320R
126
2 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW + spot + varnish
UVCurable
600 x 600/ 1200 x 1200
600 x 600/ 1200 x 1200
Durst Image Technology
Rho 500R
197
2 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW + spot
UVCurable
600 x 600/ 1200 x 1200
600 x 600/ 1200 x 1200
Durst Image Technology
Rhotex 320
126
0.07 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmk + spot
Aq Dye
600 x 600/ 1200 x 1200
600 x 600/ 1200 x 1200
Vutek TX3250r
126.5
0.125 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmyk
UV-Curable, Mild Solvent, Dye-Sub
540
1080
EFI
Vutek QS3250r
126.5
0.125 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmyk
UVCurable
540
540/1080
EFI
Vutek GS3250r
126.5
0.125 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
UVCurable
600
1000
EFI
Vutek GS5000r
198
0.125 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmykW
UVCurable
600
1000/ 2000
Stylus Pro 7700
24
1.5 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CY+ Vivid Magenta, PK/MK
Aq Pig
360 x 360
720 x 1440
Epson
Stylus Pro 7890
24
1.5 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
See notes 1
Aq Pig
360 x 360
1440 x 2880
Epson
Stylus Pro 7900
24
1.55 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
See notes 1
Aq Pig
360 x 360
1440 x 2880
Epson
Stylus Pro WT7900
24
1.5 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
See notes 1
Aq Pig
1440 x 720
1440 x 1440
CET cetcolor.com Digital Graphic Systems dgs-usa.com Durst Image Technology durstus.com
EFI efi.com
Epson America proimaging.epson.com
18
THE BIG PICTURE july 2011
n
Max Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
High-Quality Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
RIP
Year Intro’d
Price
Warranty
Onsite Service
Training
Notes
684 @ 1200
94 @ 2400
Opt.
2011
$4995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Canon listings begin on previous pg. Incl. printer driver, plug-in for Photoshop, Poster Artist Lite, Printer Driver Extra kit, stand, starter paper, more.
343 @ 1200
58 @ 2400
Opt.
2007
$15,995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. printer driver, plug-in for Photoshop, Printer Driver Extra kit, stand, starter roll of paper, more.
343 @ 1200
58 @ 2400
Opt.
2007
$15,995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. printer driver, plug-in for Photoshop, Printer Driver Extra kit, stand, starter roll of paper, more.
420 @ 360
80 @ 1440
Opt. 1
2008
$49,995/ $75,000
90 days
$7500
Opt.
1
Caldera, Onyx, SAi.
185 @ 360
89 @ 720
Wasatch 6.8 Genesys vers 1
2011
$12,995
I yr
$2500
Opt. 2
1
Opt. Onyx, SAi PhotoPrint; 2 $2000.
1440 @ 600
710 @ 600
Caldera GrandRIP+
2008
4300 @ 600
1850 @ 600
Caldera GrandRIP+
775 @ 600
n/a
6 mo
1
n/a
Incl.
Durst Quadro Array 30 printheads; high-productivity media option prints two 63-in rolls simul.; media-tracking system for 2-sided printing. 1 12 mos on printheads.
2009
n/a
6 mo 1
n/a
Incl.
Durst Quadro Array 30D printheads; can print 3 63-in. rolls simul in std operation. 1 12 mos on printheads.
645 @ 600
Caldera GrandRIP+
2010
n/a
6 mo
n/a
Incl.
Large-format soft-signage printer uses water-based dye inks and on-board hot-air dryers. Quadro Array 30D AQ printheads. 1 12 mos on printheads.
1000 @ 540
285 @ 1080
EFI Fiery XF
2011
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
On-board heater/dryer.
1850 @ 540
450 @ 540
EFI Fiery XF
2009
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
On-board heater/dryer.
2400 @ 600
1200 @ 1000
EFI Fiery XF
2011
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
On-board heater/dryer.
3100 @ 600
1033 @ 600
EFI Fiery XF
2009
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
On-board heater/dryer.
619 @ 360
107 @ 1440 x 720
n/a
2010
$2995
90 days 1
See notes 2
Opt.
80 @ 1400
25 @ 2880 x 1440
Opt. 2
2010
$2995
1 yr 3
$725$1305
Opt.
n/a
n/a
EFI Colorproof XF 4.0 2
2008
$3995$7995
1 yr
$775$1375
Opt.
/
/
/
1
1 2
12 mos printhead warranty by Ricoh; 1-, 2-yr warranty add’l from Ricoh.
CYck + Vivid Magenta and Vivid Light Magenta, light light black + PK/MK; 2 EFI eXpress for Epson; 3 2-yr Epson Preferred Plan avail. 1
CYOGck + Vivid Magenta, Vivid Light Magenta, light light black + PK/MK; 2 Printer bundle only. 1
CYOGckW + Vivid Magenta, Vivid Light magenta; 2 23 min for 24 x 20 proof (1440 x 720); 3 27:16 min for 24 x 20 proof (1440 x 1440); 4 Opt “Plus” plans avail; 5 For 1 add’l yr; $1595 2 add’l years. Epson continues next pg. 1
See notes 2
See notes 3
Opt.
2009
$8495
1 yr 4
$895 5
Opt.
www.bigpicture.net
19
2011 rollfed printers Company
Model
Max. Media Width (in.)
Max. Media Thickness
Media Handled
Printhead Tech
Colors
Ink Types
Min. Resolution (dpi)
Max. Resolution (dpi)
Epson
Stylus Pro 7900CTP
24
1.5 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
See notes 1
Aq Pig
360 x 360
1440 x 2880
Epson
Stylus Pro 9700
44
1.5 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CY + Vivid Magneta, PK/MK
Aq Pig
360 x 360
1440 x 720
Epson
Stylus Pro 9890
44
1.5 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
See notes 1
Aq Pig
360 x 360
1440 x 2880
Epson
Stylus Pro 9900
44
1.5 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
See notes 1
Aq Pig
360 x 360
1440 x 2880
Epson
Stylus Pro 11880
64
1.5 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
See notes 1
Aq Pig
360 x 360
1440 x 2880
Epson
Stylus Pro GS6000
64
1.3 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKOGcm
Solvent
360 x 720
1440 x 1440
Uvistar 3532
150
1 in.
Roll 1
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
UVCurable
300 x 300
600 x 600
Uvistar 5032
209
1 in.
Roll 1
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
UVCurable
300 x 300
600 x 600
GO Rio 44/54
44/54
0.125 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Dye Sub
360
720/ 2880
Graphics One
GO EcoMax 24/44
24/44
0.125 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Other 1
360
720/ 2880
Graphics One
GO Salsa 64
64
0.125 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Dye Sub
360
720/ 2880
Designjet 111
24
0.4 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
n/a
600 x 1200
Hewlett-Packard
Designjet 130/130r
24/42
0.4 mm
Sheet 1
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKcm
Aq Dye
n/a
1200 x 2400
Hewlett-Packard
Designjet 510
24/42
0.4 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
n/a
1200 x 2400
Hewlett-Packard
Designjet T790 ePrinter
24
0.8 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK + multi K/gray
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
n/a
1200 x 2400
Hewlett-Packard
Designjet T1300 ePrinter
44
0.8 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK + photo K, multi K/gray
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
n/a
1200 x 2400
Hewlett-Packard
Designjet T7100
42
0.4 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK + multi K/gray
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
n/a
1200 x 2400
Hewlett-Packard
Designjet Z2100
24
0.8 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKcm+ photo K, multi K/gray
Aq Pig 1
n/a
1200 x 2400
Fujifilm North America fujifilm.com
Fujifilm North America
Graphics One graphicsone.com
Hewlett-Packard hp.com
20
THE BIG PICTURE july 2011
n
Max Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
High-Quality Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
RIP
66 @ 1440
25 @ 1440 x 2880
EFI eXpress CTP
619 @ 360
107 @ 1440 x 720
n/a
80 @ 1400
25 @ 1440 x 2880
n/a
Warranty
Onsite Service
Training
Notes
$9995
1 yr
$865$1565
Opt.
Epson listings begin on previous pg. Designed as plate printer; incl. plate-curing unit, 10 sample plates, more. 1 CYOGck + Vivid Magenta and Vivid Light Magenta + light light black, PK/MK.
2010
$4995
90 days 1
See notes 2
Opt.
Incl. printer stand, starter ink, more; opt auto takeup reel avail. 1 Printer (12 mos on printheads); 2 1-2 yr add’l warranties avail from Ricoh.
EFI eXpress for Epson
2010
$4995
1 yr
$725$1305
Opt.
n/a
EFI Colorproof XF 4.0 2
2008
$5995$9995
1 yr
$775$1375
Opt.
n/a
n/a
n/a
2007
$9995
1 yr
$1495$2695
Opt.
340 @ 360 x 720 (2 pass)
32 @ 1440 (16 pass)
ColorBurst Pro Production
2008
$24,995
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Features UltraChrome GS solvent-based, virtually odorless inks (no Nickel compounds).
560 @ 600
ColorGate Production Server Fujifilm Ed.
n/a
n/a
1 yr
Incl.
Incl.
Multi-roll capability (3 rolls up to 65-in. wide simul). 1 Flatbed table opt.
3800 @ 300
710 @ 600
ColorGate Production Server 5.4 Fujifilm Ed.
n/a
n/a
1 yr
Incl.
Incl.
Multi-roll capability (3 rolls up to 65-in. wide simul). 1 Flatbed table opt.
400 @ unspecified dpi
180 @ unspecified dpi
Wasatch SoftRIP
2010
$7995/ $11,995
n/a
$1000
Opt. 1
Incl. take-up system, RIP, ink. On-board heater/dryer. 1 $950.
100 @ unspecified dpi
50 @ unspecified dpi
Wasatch SoftRIP for EcoMax
2010
$7995/ $9995
n/a
$1000
Opt. 2
Incl. RIP and ink. On-board heater/dryer. 1 Water-based resin Sepiax inks; 2 $950.
400 @ unspecified dpi
180 @ unspecified dpi
Wasatch SoftRIP
2010
$19,995
n/a
$2000
Opt. 1
Incl. takeup system, RIP, ink. Onboard heater/dryer. 1 $950.
90 sec/pg @ unspecified dpi
21.5 min/pg @ 600 x 1200
n/a
2010
$895
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Incl. introductory ink cartridges, more.
1.3 min/pg
n/a
Adobe PostScript 3 2
2004
$1190/ $1381
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Incl. ink cartridges, input/output tray, media samples, more. 1 Roll opt.; 2 via software RIP.
9.5 min/pg
n/a
EFI Designer Edition 5.1
2008
$1895/ $2895
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
42-in. model incl. printer stand, media bin.
549 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
n/a
2011
$2500/ $4300
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Incl. printer stand, introductory ink cartridges, more.
549 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
n/a
2011
$6190
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Incl. printer stand, spindle, more.
165 A1/D prints/hr
n/a
n/a
2010
$10,995
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Incl. printer stand, spindle, more.
150 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
Opt. 2
2006
$2895
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Incl. spindle, media roll, stand, rear tray, more. 1 HP Vivera pigment inks; 2 Adobe Postscript, HP-GL2/RTL. HP continues next pg.
3000 @ 300
Year Intro’d
2010
Price
CYck + Vivid Magenta, Vivid Light Magenta, light light black, PK/MK. 1
CYOGck + Vivid Magenta, Vivid Light Magenta, light light black, PK/MK; 2 Printer bundle only. 1
CYck + Vivid Magenta, Vivid Light Magenta, light light black, PK, MK. 1
www.bigpicture.net
21
2011 rollfed printers Company
Model
Max. Media Width (in.)
Max. Media Thickness
Media Handled
Printhead Tech
Colors
Hewlett-Packard
Designjet Z3200
24/44
0.8 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
See notes
Hewlett-Packard
Designjet Z5200
44
0.6 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
Hewlett-Packard
Designjet Z6200
42/60
0.6 mm
Roll
Hewlett-Packard
Designjet L25500
42/60
0.5 mm
Hewlett-Packard
Scitex LX600
104
Hewlett-Packard
Scitex LX820
Hewlett-Packard
Ink Types
Min. Resolution (dpi)
Max. Resolution (dpi)
Aq Pig 2
n/a
1200 x 2400
CMYKcm + photo K, multi K/gray
Aq Pig 1
n/a
1200 x 2400
Inkjet Thermal
See notes 1
Aq Pig 2
n/a
1200 x 2400
Roll
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKcm + multi K/gray
Latex
n/a
1200 x 1200
0.8 mm
Roll
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKcmW
Latex
n/a
1200 x 1200
126
0.03 in.
Roll
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKcmW
Latex
n/a
1200 x 1200
Scitex LX850
126
0.03 in.
Roll
Inkjet Thermal
CMYKcmW
Latex
n/a
1200 x 1200
Hewlett-Packard
Scitex XP2300
126
n/a
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
UV-Curable
n/a
360 x 360
Hewlett-Packard
Scitex XP2750
126
2.5 in.
n/a
635 x 800 / 1270 x 1600
Hewlett-Packard
Scitex XP5100
199
n/a
Hewlett-Packard
Scitex XP5300
199
Hewlett-Packard
Scitex TJ8600
1
Roll
2
Inkjet Piezo
1
CMYKcmyk
UV-Curable
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmyk
UV-Curable
n/a
360 x 360 / 720 x 720
n/a
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
UV-Curable
n/a
360 x 360
126 in.
0.03 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW
UV-Curable
n/a
1200 x 1200
KIP Color 80
36
n/a
Roll, Sheet
Toner
CMYK
Dry Toner
600
600
Barak5 iQ
209
1 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
UVCurable
150/ 150
600/ 600
CJV3060/100
24/40
0.25 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW
Aq Dye, Solvent, Mild Solvent, Sub
540
1440
Mimaki
CJV30130/160
52/62
0.25 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW
Aq Dye, Solvent, Mild Solvent, Sub
1440/ 1440
n/a
Mimaki
JV33130/160/260
54/ 64/98
0.25 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW
Aq Dye, Solvent, Mild Solvent, Sub
1440
n/a
Mimaki
JV34-260
106
0.04 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW +varnish
Solvent, Sublimation
540
1440
Mimaki
JV5-130/160
54/64
0.25 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW
Aq Dye, Solvent, Mild Solvent, Sub
1440/ 1440
n/a
Mimaki
JV5-320S/ 320DS
128
0.25 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW +multi gray
Aq Dye/Pig, Solvent, Mild Solvent, Sub
1440
n/a
KIP America kip.com Matan Digital Printers matanprinters.com Mimaki USA mimakiusa.com
22
THE BIG PICTURE july 2011
on
Max Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
High-Quality Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
RIP
Year Intro’d
Price
Warranty
Onsite Service
Training
Notes
2008
$3395$6155
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
HP listings begin on previous pg. Incl. stand, introductory ink cartridges, spindle, media roll, rear tray, more. 1 CMYKBGcm+multi k/gray, chromatic red, gloss enhancer; 2 HP Vivera pigment inks.
Adobe Postscript 3
2010
$5495
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Incl. stand, introductory ink cartridges, sample media roll, stand, spindle, more. 1 HP Vivera pigment inks.
n/a
Adobe Postscript 3
2010
$8995$15,995
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Incl. stand, ink cartridges, maintenance cartridge, media roll, more. 1 CMYKcm + Photo K, multi K/gray, chromatic red; 2 HP Vivid Photo inks.
246 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
Various
2009
$19,000/ $24,000
1 yr
n/a
Opt.
Incl. cleaning cartridge/container, ink funnel, printer stand, take-up reel, more.
1691 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
Opt. 1
2010
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
HP LX600 Scitex printheads, 19-in. LCD monitor, HP webcam. 1 Opt. HP Scitex Caldera, HP Scitex Onyx RIP.
1905 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
Opt. 1
2011
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
HP LX610 printheads, HP webcam. 1 HP Scitex Caldera, HP Scitex Onyx RIP.
1905 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
Opt. 1
2011
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
HP LX610 printheads, HP webcam. 1 HP Scitex Caldera, HP Scitex Onyx RIP.
2508 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
See notes 1
2008
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
1
1200 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
See notes 3
2009
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
With opt. flatbed module; 2 Rigid, w/opt. flatbed module; 3 Caldera GrandRIP+/Onyx ProductionHouse.
1600 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
See notes 1
n/a
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
1
Caldera GrandRIP+/Onyx ProductionHouse.
3230 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
See notes 1
2008
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
1
Caldera GrandRIP+/Onyx ProductionHouse.
1905 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
Yes 1
2011
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
2160 @ 600
2160 @ 600
KIP Color RIP
2008
$109,985
90 days
$300
Incl.
KIP IPS controller/cabinet, Auto Print Stacker, KIP 7.0 Software Suite.
3800 @ 300
1220 @ 600
Caldera
2011
n/a
1 yr
Yes
Incl.
On-board heater/dryer.
185 @ 540 x 720
95.7 @ 720 x 1440
n/a
n/a
$12,995/ $13,995
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
Printer-cutter, on-board heater/dryer.
185 @ 540
133 @ 540 x 1080
RasterLink Pro IV 1
2009
$22,995/ $24,995
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
Printer-cutter; on-board heater/dryer. 1 3rd-party RIPs opt.
185 @ 540
133 @ 540 x 1080
RasterLink Pro IV 1
2007/ 2007/ 2009
$17,995/ $19,995/ $49,995
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
On-board heater/dryer. 1 3rd-party RIPs opt.
333 @ 540 x 720
146 @ 720 x 1440
RasterLink Pro V
2011
$59,995
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
On-board heater/dryer.
600/600 @ 540
430/430 @ 540 x 1080
RasterLink Pro IV 1
2006/ 2006
$39,995/ $47,095
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
On-board heater/dryer. 1 3rd-party RIPs opt.
850 @ 540
660 @ 540 x 1080
RasterLink Pro IV 1
2007/ 2010
$119,995
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
On-board heater/dryer. DS is dye-sub version. 1 3rd-party RIPs opt. Mimaki continues next pg.
n/a
Adobe Postscript 3
445 @ unspecified dpi
n/a
1383 @ unspecified dpi
183 @ unspecified dpi
Caldera GrandRIP+/Onyx ProductionHouse.
1
Caldera GrandRIP+ v8 / Onyx ProductionHouse X10. 1
www.bigpicture.net
23
2011 rollfed printers Company
Model
Max. Media Width (in.)
Max. Media Thickness
Media Handled
Printhead Tech
Colors
Ink Types
Min. Resolution (dpi)
Max. Resolution (dpi)
Mimaki
TX-4001800D
73
0.25 in.
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Sublimation
300 x 300
600 x 600
ValueJet 1324
54
2 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Mild Solvent 1
360 x 720
1440 x 1440
Mutoh America
ValueJet 1618A
64
2.5 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK+CMYK
Mild Solvent 1
360 x 720
1440 x 1440
Mutoh America
ValueJet 1624
64
2.5 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Mild Solvent 1
360 x 720
1440 x 1440
Mutoh America
ValueJet 1628TD Textile Printer
64
4 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKRGBOV cmyk
Aq Dye
360 x 360
720 x 720
Mutoh America
ValueJet 2606
102
2 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Mild Solvent 1
540 x 720
1440 x 1440
Mutoh America
ValueJet 2628TD
104
4 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKRGBOV cmyk
Aq Dye
360 x 360
720 x 720
CS2224
24
0.8 in.
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Thermal
CMYK
Aq Dye, Aq Pig
1200 x 1200
1200 x 2400
ColorWave 600
42
0.01 in.
Roll
Toner 1
CMYK
Toner
300 x 450
600 x 600
Virtu RR50
197
n/a
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
UVCurable
300 x 600
1200 x 1200
VersaCamm SP-300i/540i
30/54
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Mild Solvent
360 x 720
720 x 1440
Roland DGA
VersaArt RS540/640
54/64
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Mild Solvent
360 x 540
720 x 1440
Roland DGA
VersaCamm VS 300/420/540
30/ 41/52
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW +Silv Mt
Mild Solvent
360 x 720
720 x 1440
Roland DGA
VersaCamm VS-640
64
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
4/6/8 1
Mild Solvent
360 x 720
720 x 1440
Roland DGA
SolJet Pro III XJ540/640/740
54/ 64/74
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Mild Solvent
360 x 360
1440 x 1440
Roland DGA
2008 SolJet Pro III XC-540
54
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Mild Solvent
360 x 360
1440 x 1440
Roland DGA
SolJet Pro III XC-540 MT
54
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKW +Mt
Mild Solvent
360 x 360
1440 x 1440
Roland DGA
Hi-Fi Express FP-740
74
40 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Sublimation
270 x 360
720 x 720
Mutoh America mutoh.com
Océ North America oceusa.com
Océ North America
Polytype polytypeamerica.com
Roland DGA rolanddga.com
24
THE BIG PICTURE july 2011
n
Max Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
High-Quality Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
RIP
Year Intro’d
Price
Warranty
Onsite Service
Training
Notes
1068 @ 300
327 @ 600
RasterLink Pro V TA
2010
$94,995
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
Mimaki listings begin on previous pg. Direct printing and transfer paper requires thermal pressing; ink supplied in 2L bulk containers.
300 @ 360 x 720
63 @ 720
Opt.
2011
$18,495
2 yr
n/a
n/a
On-board heater/dryer. Incl. automatic sheet-off function, i2 Intelligent Interweave Printing Technique. 1 Eco-Ultra Solvent inks.
480 @ 360 x 720
73 @ 720 x 1440
Onyx
2009
$22,995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
On-board heater/dryer. Incl. i2 Intelligent Interweaving Printing Technology. 1 Eco-Ultra Solvent inks.
313 @ 360 x 720
72 @ 720
SAi
2011
$22,995
2 yr
n/a
n/a
On board heater dryer. Incl. automatic sheet-off function, i2 Inteligent Interweave Printing. 1 Eco-Ultra Solvent inks.
447 @ 360
79 @ 720
Opt.
2010
$29,995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. i2 Intelligent Interweaving Printing Technology.
185 @ 720
85 @ 720
Onyx
2006
$47,495
1 yr
n/a
n/a
On-board heater/dryer. Incl. i2 Intelligent Interweaving Printing Technology. 1 Eco-Ultra Solvent inks.
447 @ 360
79 @ 720
Opt.
2010
$49,995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Incl. i2 Intelligent Interweaving Printing Technology.
655 @ 1200
79 @ 2400
Onyx CADPro v7 1
2008
$2645
90 days
$660/yr
Incl.
4-picoliter drop size, one-touch printing. 1 Opt. Onyx GraphicsPro.
1233 @ 300 x 450
215 @ 600
Océ Power M Plus 2
2008
$43,990
90 days
n/a
$1800
Two media roll capacity; add’l opt. media drawers can accommodate up to 6 rolls total. 1 Océ CrystalPoint technology w/TonerPearls solid color toner; 2 Opt. Onyx ProductionHouse X10 or PosterShop X10.
3445 @ 299 x 300
500 @ 723 x 900
Opt. 1
2010
n/a
1 yr
n/a
Incl. 2
Watercooled steel vaccum, opt. 3-roll handling capability. 1 Opt. Caldera GrandRIP, ErgoSoft; 2 Opt training is $1200/day.
70/149 @ 360 x 720
17/49.5 @ 720 x 1440
Roland VersaWorks
2009
$13,495/ $22,995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
Features Roland Intelligent Pass Control technology.
222/230 @ 360 x 540
51/53 @ 720 x 1140
Roland VersaWorks
2008
$16,295/ $17,895
2 yr
n/a
n/a
Features Roland Intelligent Pass Control technology.
104/125/284 @ 360 x 720
28/31/54 @ 720 x1440
Roland VersaWorks
2010
$16,895/ $18,995/ $22,995
1 yr
n/a
Incl.
On-board heater/dryer.
248 @ 360 x 720
58 @ 720 x 1440
Roland VersaWorks
2010
$26,495
2 yr
n/a
n/a
Integrated print/cut capabilities w/Roland Intelligent Press Control technology. 1 CMYK/CMYKcm/CMYKcmWMt
441/450/458 @ 360 x 360
31/33/34 @ 1440 x 1440
Roland VersaWorks
2007
$27,195/ $30,995/ $32,995
2 yr
n/a
n/a
441 @ 360 x 360
31 @ 1440 x 1440
Roland VersaWorks
2008
$31,495
2 yr
n/a
n/a
441 @ 360
31 @ 1440
Roland VersaWorks
2009
$39,995
2 yr
n/a
n/a
Choice of CMYK+W or CMYK+W+Metallic Silver; integrated print/cut capabilities; Roland Intelligent Pass Control technology.
548 @ 270 x 360
30 @ 720 x 720
Roland VersaWorks
2006
$41,995
2 yr
n/a
n/a
Roland continues next pg.
www.bigpicture.net
25
2011 rollfed printers Company
Model
Max. Media Width (in.)
Max. Media Thickness
Media Handled
Printhead Tech
Colors
Ink Types
Min. Resolution (dpi)
Max. Resolution (dpi)
Roland DGA
AdvancedJet AJ-1000i
104
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Mild Solvent
180 x 360
720 x 720
Roland DGA
VersaUV LEC-330
30
1 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKW +varnish
UVCurable
360 x 720
1440 x 1440
Roland DGA
VersaUV LEC-540
54
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKW +varnish
UVCurable
360 x 720
1440 x 1440
ColorPainter W-64S
64
0.63 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Mild Solvent 1
360 x 540
900 x 900
Seiko Instruments USA
ColorPainter V-64s
64
0.63 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Mild Solvent
720 x 720
720 x 720
Seiko Instruments USA
ColorPainter H-74s/H-104s
74/104
1 mm
Roll, Sheet
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK 1
Mild Solvent
360 x 720
720 x 720
Triton 180/ 210
71/83
10 mm
Rigid, Roll 1
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Mild Solvent
540 x 720
720 x 1440
Signs Internat’l Distributor
XES
126
n/a
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm
Mild Solvent
360 x 360
720 x 720
Signs Internat’l Distributor
XCS
126
n/a
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Mild Solvent, Solvent
360 x 360
720 x 720
Signs Internat’l Disributor
Xpress
126
n/a
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Mild Solvent, Solvent
360 x 360
720 x 720
HeatWave DFP-64
64
1 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Sublimation
360 x 540
1440 x 1440
Splash of Color
HeatWave DFP-74
74
1 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYK
Sublimation
270 x 360
720 x 720
Splash of Color
HeatWave DFP-104
102
1 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcm + red, violet
Sublimation
360 x 360
1440 x 1440
DC4/DC4sx
30/54
.02 in.
Roll, Sheet 1
Thermal Transfer
CMYK 2
Thermal resin
304 x 609
609 x 609
TeckPro-UV 3200
130
2 mm
Roll
Inkjet Piezo
CMYKcmW
UVCurable
800 x 800
1000
Chromira 5x30
30
n/a
Roll
Photo Imager/ LED
RGB
n/a
300 ppi
300 ppi
Chromira 5x50
50
n/a
Roll
Photo Imager/ LED
RGB
n/a
300 ppi
300 ppi
Seiko Instruments USA seikoinstruments.com
Signs Internat’l Distributor sidsigns.com
Splash of Color splashofcolor.com
Summa summausa.com
Teckwin Internat’l teckwin-usa.com
ZBE zbe.com
ZBE
26
THE BIG PICTURE july 2011
n
Max Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
High-Quality Speed [ft2/hr @ res (dpi)]
RIP
Year Intro’d
Price
Warranty
Onsite Service
Training
Notes
968 @ 180 x 360
129 @ 720 x 720
Roland VersaWorks
2009
$62,995
2 yr
n/a
n/a
Roland listings begin on previous pg. Features Roland Intelligent Pass Control technology.
101 @ 360 x 720
13 @ 1440
Roland VersaWorks
2009
$57,995
2 yr
n/a
Incl.
Incl. VersaWorks RIP, take-up; Brand Purex CleanUV venting option avail.
126 @ 360 x 720
n/a
Roland VersaWorks
2010
$67,995
2 yr
n/a
Incl.
191 @ 540
25 @ 900
Onyx RIPCenter
2011
$22,000
2 yr
n/a
Incl.
Incl. full set of inks, blower, dryer. 1 Choose from low-solvent GX inks or HAPs-free IX ink (both in reloadable ink cartridges).
322 @ 720 x 360
172 @ 720 x 720
Opt. 1
2009
$25,999
1 yr
Varies
Incl.
Incl. accessory kit, ink kit, takeup kit, blower unit. EX and LX inks avail. 1 Caldera, Onyx, SAi, Wasatch.
1075 @ 720 x 360 (4/c)
581-645 @ 720 x 720 (4/c)
Opt.
2008/ 2009
$59,999/ $79,999
1 yr
Varies
Incl.
Incl. 8 subtanks w/400 ml ink, 8 ink cartridges, feeder, takeup accessories. 1 Or CMYKcm+gray+light gray; 2 Caldera, Onyx, SAi, Wasatch.
182 @ 540 x 720
107 @ 720 x 1440
SAi PhotoPrint 10
2011
$18,995/ $19,995
1 yr
n/a
n/a
On-board heater/dryer. 1 Flatbed table opt.
527 @ 360
151 @ 720
SAi PhotoPrint 10
2008
$34,900
1 yr
n/a
n/a
On-board heater/dryer.
1087 @ 360
279 @ 720
SAi PhotoPrint 10
2008
$39, 500
1 yr
n/a
n/a
On-board heater/dryer.
1689 @ 360
495 @ 720
SAi PhotoPrint 10
2010
$63,500
1 yr
n/a
n/a
On-board heater/dryer.
230 @ 360 x 540
112 @ 720
Roland VersaWorks 1
2009
$59,995
2 yr
Incl. 2
Varies
Teflon-coated heated calender, cork covered roller, InLine Cutting System opt. 1 Opt: Ergosoft, Onyx, Wasatch; 2 incl. during warranty period.
548 @ 270 x 360
370 @ 360 x 540
Roland VersaWorks 1
2007
n/a
2 yr
Incl. 2
Varies
Cork-covered roller; teflon-coated heated calender. 1 Opt: Ergosoft, Onyx, Wasatch; 2 Incl. during warranty period.
484 @ 360
323 @ 360 x 450
Roland VersaWorks 1
2008
n/a
2 yr
Incl. 2
Varies
Cork-covered roller; digital feed control; Teflon-coated heated calender. 1 Opt: Ergosoft, Onyx, Wasatch; 2 Incl. during warranty period.
93 / 116 @ 304
56 / 77 @ 609
Summa Color Control 3
2005
$12,995/ $19,995
1 yr
n/a
Varies
990 @ 800
250 @ 1000
Caldera/ Teckwin OEM
2010
n/a
2 yr
n/a
Incl.
312.5 @ 300
312.5 @ 300
n/a
2003
$89,000
See notes 1
$7900
333 @300
333 @300
n/a
2003
$134,000
See notes 1
2
$9900
Incl.
Incl.
Roll option; 2 Plus 25 spot colors; 3 FlexiSign, SignLab.
1
Price incl. 5-yr printhead warranty, 3 mos full warranty. 1
Price incl. 5-yr printhead warranty, 3 mos full warranty. 1
www.bigpicture.net
27
JDF: Ready for Take-Off?
The Job Definition Format is ‘the plumbing’ that’s about to change how your work flows.
By Jake Widman Not another acronym, you say? Yes, but this one has the potential to transform your workflow into an efficient, automated process. The idea behind JDF, or the Job Definition Format, is to provide a way for the different components of a digital print production workflow to communicate with each other – from the initial creation of a job ticket through control of the finishing process. They do that through a JDF file, an XML expression of the specifications for a job. “I have this file that tells me what my job ticket is, who the customer is, how many I have to print, what my color mode and resolution are – they’re all contained in that XML file,” says Jon Minion, product manager for EFI’s Pace print-management system. Theoretically, any JDFenabled component can read the information it needs from 28
THE BIG PICTURE July 2011
that file without requiring an extra round of data entry or human intervention. It’s important to realize, though, that JDF is not a product in itself. “It’s just the plumbing,” says Minion. “It’s up to the individual applications to add the automation features.” Thomas Kirschner, managing director for ColorGate Digital Output Solutions, echoes Minion: “JDF is nothing that gives an end user direct value out of just having the module. It’s an interlink, an exchange format that allows you to connect other systems.” A single JDF-enabled component is like a single fax machine – not very useful until there are other components to talk to. JDF first arrived on the scene in 1999 but really began attracting attention at Drupa in 2004. “Every other booth was talking about JDF,” recalls Kirschner. Since then, it’s
been widely embraced in the commercial and industrial printing markets but has lagged in gaining a foothold in digital wide-format printing. “At this moment, in the sign and display market, JDF is really in its infancy,” says Lieven Plettinck, EskoArtwork’s director of software engineering. Part of the reason, he says, is that this market has so many small shops with their own individual workflows. HP has noticed the same thing: “We found that JDF is not used at all in the wide-format market,” says José Abad Peiro, worldwide program manager for Designjet Web. “So we started doing an analysis of why and reached a number of conclusions. One is the differences you find in specific workflows at small firms.” But JDF has been unsuited to wide-format printing for other reasons, too, starting with inappropriate measuring units. The JDF specification calls for measurements in points, but “when you have a very large element, you have to have other kinds of dimensions,” says Peiro, “or the numbers get too large to make any sense.”
Change is coming While the use of JDF has been relatively rare in wideformat printing up until now, that’s likely to change in the near future. “Economic and business forces are pushing it into this arena,” says Peiro. “It’s a sign of a maturing market that shops are now starting to look at automation to reduce overhead.” Kirschner agrees: “It’s more crucial,” he says. “Margins are shrinking. There’s less ability to just redo a job if something goes wrong. With JDF automation, it can be fully automatic.” And Danielle Mattiussi, Onyx Graphics’ director for product portfolio and business development, points to other factors changing expectations among wide-format shops. “Conventional printers have reaped the benefits of automated workflow systems for years,” she says. “Now they are adding wide-format devices as a way to diversify revenue streams, and they expect nothing less from their wide-format workflow. Furthermore, there’s a large talent pool of people who may have worked for companies that weren’t so successful at diversifying their revenue streams. Many of those people landed in wide format armed with knowledge of and experience with JDF.” Minion adds, “Our customers are demanding this. It’s becoming a very hot topic for them. They want all the advantages that JDF brings, and they want it now.” They may get it soon. Last summer, HP was selected to head up the Wide Format Workgroup of The International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press, and Postpress Organization (CIP4, cip4.org), the group in charge of managing the JDF specification. HP’s stated goal is to define standards that are appropriate to
wide-format printing workflows, from digital front ends to finishing devices. This past January, HP introduced a certification program under which partner products can be labeled “HP Certified for Wide Format Printing JDF Exchange.” Certified products should be able to properly share information via JDF. Partners in the certification program include Caldera, ColorGate, EFI, EskoArtwork, Four Pees, GMG, Onyx Graphics, and Printable Technologies. According to Andrew Cuzner, HP strategic partner marketing manager for Designjet Business, “What HP has done has been to pull together a number of key players in the wide-format printing space and make sure they’re using the correct descriptions and schemas in their products. When those components get put together in a customer site, they have a better chance of operating with one another if they all use the same JDF descriptions.” Onyx’s Mattiussi supplies an example: “The changes we are working on make JDF more powerful for wide-format printing, such as automating processes that don’t exist in other print markets (and therefore were not previously included in the specification). One simple example is the flow from a RIP to the press to a flatbed cutting device. The unique information exchange concerning the media type and cutting requirements, you would never see in other print markets.”
What will it mean? Again, first keep in mind that JDF is not a standalone product. Rather, it’s the “plumbing” that enables different devices in a workflow to communicate with each other. Given that, the way it will show up in products varies from vendor to vendor. “Software vendors will mature JDF together, and print service providers should expect to see interoperability grow,” says Mattiussi. “We sell an optional JDF Module for our RIP,” says ColorGate’s Kirschner. “Most of our customers that license the module use it to remotely control the RIP software but also to obtain feedback and info about job status, job flow, and so on. Also, our Web-to-print solution speaks JDF to our production servers, so you’re able to set up a fully automatic flow where the end user is actually initiating the production process. Some of our customers even put the shipping and invoicing data into the JDF, from where it’s passed onto an MIS system. We’re also feeding back from the RIP information like how much ink was consumed and the total media used.” “Our first implementation of JDF is available in a recent update to our ProductionHouse and PosterShop software,” says Mattiussi. “We want to continue doing what we do best – RIPs and color management – and partner with other systems our customers choose for being best-in-class in their product category.” www.bigpicture.net
29
JDF The ABCs of JDF The International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press, and Post Press (CIP4) Organization is the international standards association whose mission is to foster the adoption of automation in the printing industry. CIP4 brings together systems and software vendors, printers, publishers, consultants, educators, integrators, and distributors to define standards that support print automation, and to help educate and promote automation globally. JDF is one of those standards. “Automation in printing began in the late 1980s and early 1990s – well before JDF was around,” says James Harvey, executive director of CIP4. “But only the largest companies could afford automation; as it means custom engineering and the need to plan the entire operation. JDF makes automation affordable and accessible to all print providers. With JDF, you can begin automating pieces of the operation and expand automation with the confidence that you don’t have to go back and reengineer everything when you add equipment,” he continues.
And, says Harvey, “Some folks assume that JDF is only for sheetfed offset, or only for digital printing, or so on. This is especially true of folks in specialty areas. If your business is label printing, or printing of electronics, or flexo and board conversion, you may wrongly assume that JDF cannot help you. But the processes and resources in JDF are elemental – the building blocks of JDF can be arranged in any fashion you need for any workflow.” Defining JDF: The Job Definition Format (JDF) is a specification and XML schema that’s used to define the interchange of data between systems in an automated production environment. JDF is flexible enough to cover every process and supports all types of printing, including digital printing, wide-format printing, offset sheetfed and web printing, gravure and flexography, and applications in packaging, newsprint, and more. JDF supports both process information for devices on the shop floor and customer intent information for front-end/customer facing systems, and it includes a “Job Messaging Format” (JMF) that supports the com-
Esko’s Plettinck has the same take: “In general, this is one of JDF’s advantages: It allows the customer to build solutions from products from different vendors. For example, JDF capabilities are not yet present on the input side in our iCut Layout; but on the output side, the product can already generate a JDF layout. It’s a generic description of how you’re going to place the different items on a sheet, independent of which wide-format printer you actually want to send the file to. As long as the RIP on that device supports JDF layout, it can take the output of iCut Layout.” “From the Vutek perspective, it’s going to be bundled in with the latest versions of the GS series of printers, and it’s also being included into the Fiery XF 4.5 version that’s just being released, says Mark Goodearl, EFI/Vutek product marketing manager. “There won’t be anything separate to get, it’ll just be a matter of configuring it to work together. We’re going to continue to build JDF capabilities into 30
THE BIG PICTURE July 2011
mand and control of systems on the shop floor by print MIS, scheduling, and job planning systems. In addition to driving production, JDF can also be used to collect information from devices on work in progress and completed for reporting, invoicing, and systems-management purposes. JDF’s basic functions: JDF covers the whole life cycle of a print and cross-media job, from concept to delivery. The JDF specification includes four major application areas: • Job ticket: Information about a printed product that may start with customer intent information and eventually include all process instructions and parameters. • Workflow organization: A building block model used by management, production, and workflow systems to organize and automate jobs, including detailed definitions of processes, parameters, and job metadata. • Device control & automation: An open, XML-based command and control language for all shop floor and studio floor software and systems known as the Job Messaging Format (JMF).
future Vutek printers, and at some point we may add it to the legacy equipment.”
How soon? Although one JDF-enabled component isn’t much good by itself, there’s a network effect: automating one segment of a workflow makes automating other segments easier and more appealing. ”We expect demand for JDF to grow quickly as print service providers learn about the power of automation,” says Mattiussi. “It will be driven by ‘the big guys,’ but the entire market will benefit. The alternative is a proprietary, singlevendor RIP and MIS system, and if we learned nothing else from the conventional print markets, it’s that customers don’t want to be locked to one vendor.” Part of this process is the CIP4 working group’s efforts to develop Interoperability Conformance Specifications
• Device capabilities: A method for MIS, workflow, job scheduling, and job planning systems to query devices for their capabilities and for devices to report back capabilities that is useful for both setting up new devices and determining their present status (for example, what media is presently loaded into a device). JDF and other standards: CIP4 has formal and informal cooperation with many other groups, building bridges between islands of automation. CIP4 cooperates with ISO TC 130, ICC, IDEAlliance, IFRA, PODi, Ghent Working Group, and UP3i. The standards can work together. The meaning of “JDF Certified”: If a product is “JDF Certified,” it means that it writes and/or reads JDF as established in one of several “Interoperability Conformance Specifications” published by CIP4. These “ICS” documents establish the basic requirements for systems that manage or consume JDF. Certification means that a product has proven that it meets requirements for basic interoperability.
Certifying that products are JDF compliant: The Printing Industries of America (PIA) has a long-term contract with CIP4 to conduct certification testing. At present, PIA is the single global certifying body for JDF systems and software. How to know if a product is “JDF Certified”: Products certified by PIA will be issued a JDF Certified logo that has a unique certification number. You can look up the details of that product’s certification history with that unique number at cip4.org/ certification/certified_products.php. JDF Certification and guaranteed interoperability: JDF Certification does guarantee a basic level of interoperability, but optional and advanced feature support for JDF may be supported by some products and not others. Hence, when integrating two JDF Certified systems, some setup and testing will be needed still, but the two systems will share a common denominator. JDF Certification and “plug-andplay”: Professional graphic-arts systems may never be “plug-and-
(ICS) for wide-format printing. “Now all the HP partners that are certified provide a level of interaction to our customers,” explains HP’s Peiro. “But once this becomes an ICS, the whole world can interact with those partners.” As for how soon this all might happen, no one can really say. “We can only make an inference from other industries,” says Plettinck. “When I became active in the JDF world, there was no JDF whatsoever in labels and packaging. By now it’s widely adopted. Once an industry starts using it and seeing the advantages of it, the adoption rate can rise very quickly.” HP’s Cuzner sees the same parallels: “The JDF standard across the graphic-arts industry and digital production devices appears to be well accepted and used. We see that wide format will adopt a similar path, but it’s very difficult to predict the trajectory. When you’re working with the CIP4, the timeline is rather vague. You’re working
play” in the sense of simple consumer electronics. Quite simply, there are so many possible variations of workflow and production techniques that it may not be cost efficient for everything to be “plug-and-play.” Hence, CIP4 is focusing on establishing interoperability between systems from different vendors, and JDF does not portend to define “plugand-play” for graphic-arts systems. Certified products working with uncertified products: Certified and uncertified products might certainly work together, but you could find that it takes more time and effort to establish interoperability with uncertified systems. The above information is adapted from material provided by the International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press, and Post Press (CIP4) Organization. The CIP4 website, cip4.org, provides an array of information about JDF, including general data, tutorials, white papers, calendar items, technical resources, business-development topics, and much more.
with partners coming from different angles with different speeds. We do have specs at HP, and we know what makes sense from the technology perspective.” “If it takes more than a year and a half, it will be too late—by then something else will have happened,” Peiro chimes in. “Hopefully it will take about a year.” Kirschner is bullish on the possibilities for his company. “Probably only two to five percent of our current RIP sales are equipped with JDF capabilities,” he says. “But I think that within the next three to five years, all print service providers will have to be able to accept jobs via the Web. We feel that JDF is the best route.” Jake Widman is a San Francisco-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Big Picture magazine.
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BIG NUMBERS:
ISA
Sign Expo 2011 The industry rolled out hot, new products to 19,000+ attendees in Las Vegas.
By Britney Grimmelsman and Gregory Sharpless In Las Vegas – particularly at the gaming tables – numbers mean a lot: 6 + 6 “boxcars” in craps, for instance, or a “le grande natural” 9 in baccarat, and, of course, 21 in blackjack. This past April in Sin City, the International Sign Association (ISA) put up some of its own impressive numbers as well during this year’s ISA International Sign Expo: • More than 19,000 attendees flooded the show floor at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the association’s 65th annual event – a 13-percent increase from the 2010 event. • Nearly 560 exhibitors, also a 13-percent increase over last year’s numbers, showcased the market’s latest innovations in nearly 200,000 square feet of floor space. • Nearly 70 courses, seminars, and workshops were offered by ISA and the International Sign Academy, as the educational portion of the ISA Expo continues to dramatically expand. “Each year, ISA International Sign Expo proves to be the place for sign-industry professionals to network, learn the latest information about their industry, and see the latest products on the exhibit floor,” says Lori Anderson, ISA president and CEO. “This year proved to be all of that and more.” Beyond the numbers, the 2011 edition of the ISA Sign Expo offered: the third annual New Product Showcase, which featured 25 companies pitching their most recent cre32
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
ations and a vote for the “Coolest New Product” (3M Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080); the Green Product showcase, which judged products based on advancements in energy efficiency, low-VOC, post-consumer waste products, and other similar traits (Image Microsystems’ MicroStrate took home the title of “Best Green Product of 2011”); and the American Wrap Star competition, in which 64 professionals performed live vehicle-wrap applications (Mingo Richter from Blackbox-Richter in Austria emerged as champion). What follows are some of the more intriguing printrelated products and technologies that were unveiled at this year’s Sign Expo. If you were unable to attend the 2011 event, it’s not too soon to begin thinking about next year: ISA International Sign Expo 2012 is set for March 21-24 in Orlando. Check signexpo.org for details. Seiko Infotech (seiko-i.com)
introduced the ColorPainter W-64s and W-54s low-solvent printers, capable of handling 64- and 54-in.-wide media, ColorPainter W-64s respectively. Both printers SEIKO
are available in 4- or 6-color (CMYKcm) configuration, offer top resolution of 900 dpi, and can utilize Seiko GX low-solvent ink or the new Seiko IX inks, which are free of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). The W-64s can hit a top speed of 191 sq ft/hr in Production mode, while the W-54s can reach 182 sq ft/hr. Other features include: Dynamic Dot Printing (DDP) technology to maximize image quality and color density; smart nozzle mapping; a media tension mechanism; builtin heater; CP Manager software to monitor printer status, etc.; and an included Seiko-edition Onyx RIPCenter RIP. Options include a take-up unit and a cutter unit. Agfa’s Anapurna M1600 made its North American debut.
The 63-in. hybrid UV printer offers 4-colors (CMYK) plus white (with dedicated white-ink mixing and circulation system), utilizing Agfa’s flexible G2 inks; it features Konica Minolta 1024 printheads. The M1600 can accommodate roll media as well as rigid media up to 1.77-in. thick and features a two-zone vacuum table for dealing with a variety of substrates. Top print speed is 500 sq ft/hr in Express mode; its Production mode offers 305 sq ft/hr; Poster mode is 150 sq ft/hr. A Wasatch SoftRIP Agfa edition is standard. Top resolution is 720 x 1440 dpi. Agfa (agfa.com) also showcased an enhancement to its Jeti 3020 Titan flatbed: an FTR flat-to-roll option. The FTR option supports 126-in.-wide media and rolls up to 750 pounds. The option is field-upgradeable for existing Jeti 3020 Titans. Agfa’s Synaps UV media, a high-gloss synthetic paper, made its North American debut. Featuring a modified polyester base, the paper is recyclable and is intended for UV-curable inks in inkjet as well as offset, flexo, screen, and gravure printing. It’s suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and is waterproof, water-resistant, and designed to offer excellent weatherability and high tear resistance, Agfa reports. Synaps can be cut with guillotine or die cutting as well as lasers. Available in two weights: 220 Anapurna MI600 and 430 g/m2; in 60- AGFA in. x 150-ft rolls. The Acuity Advance LT, Fujifilm’s entry-level UV flatbed, was shown for the first time. The 4-color printer, which features variable dot imaging, can accommodate rigid media up to 49.6 x 98.4 in., up to 1.89-in. thick; it can handle roll media (optional) up to 86.6-in. wide. Top speed is 132 sq ft/hr in Production mode; 91 sq ft/hr in Quality mode. The Advance LT utilizes KO or KI-series inks, packaged in 2-
Acuity Advance LT FUJIFILM liter bags. The LT can be upgraded to the standard Advance or to Advance with white. Fujifilm (fujifilmusa.com) also introduced several new features for both the Acuity Advance and Advance-X2 printers, including: • A redesigned UV-curing system that makes more curing energy available while reducing the heat on the media surface by up to 50%; • A new Express mode, offering speeds up to 377 sq ft/hr; • A new High Definition print mode, to support a minimum text size of 2 points; and • An improved vacuum table for better handling of thin and irregularly shaped media. Colex (colex.com) introduced its Sharp Cut FBC-I Cutter/
Router powered by i-cut. The flatbed machine is designed to give operators the ability to trim, kiss cut, and crease a variety of rigid and flexible substrates. It includes a dualtool station with fast oscillating knife as well as a multi-zoned vacuum table (four/six), auto-setting blade height, and singlephase 40-amp power. Colex says its standard router spindle is rated for most substrates Sharp Cut FBC-I used in wide-format COLEX production, but a heavyduty router spindle is available as an option. The Sharp Cut is available in two sizes: 4 x 8 and 5 x 10 ft. Océ (oceusa.com) announced the new Arizona 360 GT and
Arizona 360 XT flatbed UV printer models, with enhancements over their 350 GT predecessors. Both are 4-color printers offering an Express Mode print speed of up to 377 sq ft/hr and a new High Definition print mode for fine feature reproduction, including the ability to print text as small as 2-point size (for technical and industrial applications such as printing on lenticular lenses and membrane panels). The Arizona 360 GT features a standard table size of 49 x 98.4 in., while the Arizona 360 XT features an extra-large table size of 98.4 x 120 in.; they can print on a variety of rigid substrates up to 1.89-in. thick. The new printers also include a UV curing system designed to provide more UV energy to support difficultto-cure media while reducing heat at the media surface by 50%, improving support for heat-sensitive media such as www.bigpicture.net
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ISA Sign Expo
Arizona 360 XT OCÉ
thin polystyrene or polyester films. Both models also feature a new-style tabletop that allows very thin media to be printed directly on the table without mechanical distortion of the media into the vacuum holes. A rollmedia option and a whiteink option are available.
Scotchcal Gloss Overlaminate 8508 from 3M Commercial Graphics (3mgraphics.com) is a 2.3-mil clear vinyl overlam suitable for flat and simple-curve applications. Designed to deliver higher gloss than 3M’s Luster Overlaminate 8508, the new Gloss Overlaminate is applied by cold roll lamination. Available in 54-in. widths (50-yd rolls). And the company showcased its Scotchcal Gloss Overlaminate 8528, specifically designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, which we reported on in our April issue. 3M also launched a new Carbon Fiber White for its Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080. Like the other films in the 1080 series, the new Carbon Fiber White is a pressuresensitive, long-term, removable cast film designed for solid color vehicle detailing, decoration, and full wraps. Available in 60-in.-wide rolls. Also receiving a lot of attention at the 3M booth was its Virtual Presenter, Jenelle. A video of a 3M representative was recorded and a cutout created using the outline of her form. A piece of 3M Rear Projection Film was used for the upper projection screen and 3M Controltac Graphic Film with Comply Adhesive IJ180C-10 used for the lower half of the Virtual Presenter. A projector placed behind the display created the video porScotchcal 8508 Overlam tion of the Virtual Presenter, 3M GRAPHICS while directional hidden speakers provided the voice. At ISA, i-cut, Inc. (icutvision.com), introduced i-cut Vision v7.1, which boasts a number of new features, including: • “Adaptive Registration,” intelligently reducing the number of registration marks needed to adjust the orientation of a sheet on a table, improving productivity. • The ability to automatically eliminate overcuts in sensitive materials – such as foam, Reboard, and PSA film – by cutting away from inside corners. • A Global Cutting Key library, which allows a number of devices to share the same cutting key libraries. • The ability to add or remove copies during production, so that remaining copies can be adjusted without canceling the current production run. 34
THE BIG PICTURE July 2011
• Multi-passing for lasers: automatically repeating layers many times to cut dense materials. • Keep Sequence: maintaining sequencing in imported files as defined by ArtiosCAD and other high-end CAD applications. Mutoh (mutoh.com) announced new additions to its Val-
ueJet line-up: the ValueJet 1324-54 and ValueJet 1624-64 eco-solvent printers, replacing the previous ValueJet 130454 and 1614-64 models. Both 4-color ValueJets feature new printheads; improved print speeds (up to 313 sq ft/hr for the 1624-64 and up to 300 sq ft/hr for the 1324-54); an automatic sheet-off function; and Mutoh’s Spectrovue-VM10 color-measurement tool (optional). The 1324-54 also adds a service door for easy maintenance accessibility, while the 1624-64 adds a moveable ink-cartridge holder to accommodate 200ml and 440ml cartridges. Both printers continue to feature i2 Intelligent Interweave print technology to aid in eliminating horizontal banding; eco-solvent inks; and three-heater design for faster drying. Top ValueJet 1624 resolution is 1400 dpi. MUTOH Roland DGA (rolanddga.com) introduced its 64-in. VersaUV
LEJ-640 UV-LED wide-format hybrid printer. The LEJ-640 is offered in three Eco-UV ink configurations: CMYK + white + clear; CMYK + white + white, for high-opacity white printing on transparent films; and CMYK + clear + clear, for thick dimensional effects such as embossing. The clear ink can be put down in both gloss and matte finishes. Applications range from packaging prototypes and P-O-P to wide-format signage, décor, exhibits, and window displays. Capable of handling roll media as well as board stocks up to half-inch thick, the LEJ-640 hybrid features a top print resolution of 1440 dpi and can hit speeds up to 133 sq ft/hr in CMYK mode. Other features include the Roland OnSupport system; an automated white-ink circulation system; built-in sensor to check media thickness; an advanced media-takeup system. VersaWorks RIP software is included. Roland also debuted the VersaStudio BN-20, a 20-in. desktop eco-solvent printer/cutter with metallic inks. The BN-20 can be configured with Eco-Sol Max inks in either CMYK only or with CMYK + metallic silver for metallic effects. For users focused on indoor applications, VersaStudio can also be configured with Roland FPG aqueous pigment ink in CMYK only. Top resolution is 1440 dpi. And Roland announced the VersaUV LEF-12 “benchtop” flatbed UV printer that’s built for three-dimensional objects. The LEF-12 features an LED curing system, offers a
Taking the Market’s Pulse During the ISA Expo, the International Sign Association worked with market-research and consulting firm InfoTrends (infotrends.com) to conduct personal interviews with attendees on the show floor. Survey participants included CEOs, marketing, operations, sales, and production personnel throughout the sign and graphics industry. We’re highlighting just a few of the results of that survey below; the full results can be found on the ISA website, at signs.org.
Shop Revenue Growth Next 12 Months Remain flat
Staff Additions in 2011
8%
Grow 1-5%
79%
Production/installation
13%
Grow 6-10% Grow 11-15%
25%
33%
Grow 20% or more 0
5
10
15
20
25
18%
Operations/mgmt
5%
Grow 15-20%
42%
Sales
12%
30
Admin 35%
13% 0
20
40
60
80%
More than 30% of shop-attendee CEOs said their gross revenues would grow 20% or more over the next 12 months. Only 8% of respondents believe gross revenues will remain flat.
Nearly 60% of those company CEOs surveyed said they would be adding new staff in 2011. Production/ installation staff led the way of types of staff to be hired, followed by sales.
Mfr Revenue Growth Next 12 Months
Adding Equipment
Remain flat
Wide-format digital printer
10%
Grow 1-5%
CNC router/cutter
18%
Grow 6-10%
26% 0
5
10
15
14% 5%
Superwide/grand-format printer
7%
Grow 20%+
21%
Laminator
19%
Grow 15-20%
16%
Metal-fabricating equip
11%
Grow 11-15%
25%
20
Manufacturers were similarly optimistic: More than 25% said that a 20% increase in gross revenues in the next year would be likely. Only 10% of manufacturers forecast no change.
25
30%
Color-mgmt tools/training
6%
Narrow-format printer
2% 0
5
10
15
20
25%
A large majority of CEOs – 74% – said they would be adding new equipment in the next 12 months. A quarter of those indicated they would be adding a wide-format digital printer.
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ISA Sign Expo 12 x 11-in. printable area, and supports materials up to 4-in. thick and up to 11-lb. It prints CMYK + white + clear (Eco-UV inks), with resolutions up to 720 x 1440 dpi. VersaUV LEJ-640 Other features include ROLAND DGA a built-in laser pointer, an automatic ink-circulation system, mist filters to catch residual ink that may mist when printing off the edge or curvature of a product, cutting down on overspray, and more. Mactac Graphic Products (mactac.com) debuted PermaGard
PG7285XL, an addition to its line of Permacolor pressuresensitive overlaminates. Designed for interior and exterior signage, murals, P-O-P displays, and wide-format graphics requiring protection from UV light, weather, and scuffing, it’s repositionable, non-reflective, has a white paper liner, and can be used over UV, solvent, eco-solvent, and latex wide-format prints. The 2.75-mil matte overlam is available in 79 in. x 164-ft rolls. Mactac’s Imagin Wallnoodle WN628 can now be latex printed to the edge for borderless graphics. The 6.0-mil matte white, semi-rigid calendered PVC film features a poly-coated kraft liner and offers a removable, repositionable acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive. SID Signs (sidsigns.com) introduced the SID Triton 210,
an 83-in. eco-solvent printer. The 4-color (CMYK) rollfed machine features a top speed of 182 sq ft/hr in Draft mode (4 passes), 129 sq ft/hr in Standard mode (6 passes), and 107 sq ft/hr in Quality mode (8 passes). It utilizes Epson printheads and offers a top resolution of 1440 dpi. Other features include: a pre-, platen-, and post-heating system to ensure print quality and quick drying; a balanced automatic media takeup system; height-adjustable printer carriage for printing on substrates such as foam board and polystyrene; and more. The Triton is also available in a 71in. version, the SID Triton 210 Triton 180. SID SIGNS Hewlett-Packard debuted two new printers – the Scitex
LX850 and LX820 – at the show. The HP Scitex LX850 is a 126-in.-wide latex printer with multiple workflow features, including dual-roll (print two 60-in. rolls side by side), roll-to-free fall, and roll-to-collector handling. The 6-color (CMYKcm) printer also features: 36
THE BIG PICTURE July 2011
double-side capability, with an HP Optical Media Advance Sensor; an ink collector, for printing on unlined flag fabrics; and a top resolution of 1200 dpi. Top speed is 1905 sq ft/hr in Draft mode; 947 sq ft/hr in Billboard mode; and 484 sq ft/hr in High-Quality Indoor mode. The HP Scitex LX820 is similar to the LX850 but is rollto-roll standard only; the 6-color, 126-in.-wide latex printer offers the dual-roll kit as an option, but cannot upgrade to the roll-to-free fall or roll-to-collector. HP also debuted its new LX610 Latex Scitex inks, which offer a color gamut approximately 7% larger than the LX600 latex inks, Scitex LX820 the company reports. HP Compatible with the Designjet L65500 and Scitex LX600 and LX800 printers (including the LX850 and LX820 printers), the new inks are designed to produce rich blacks and glossy results on banners and self-adhesive vinyls, and produce improved water resistance on fabrics. And the company announced that its PVC-Free Wallpaper is now made with FSC-certified paper and is GreenGuard Children & Schools-certified (the GreenGuard Environmental Institute certifies products and materials for low chemical emissions). The matte-finish wallpaper is available in 42- and 54-in. widths. Finally, the company introduced its HP SmartStream Designer v5.1, for creating, collating, and personalizing campaigns from HP Scitex printers. It’s available for InDesign CS5 and for QuarkXPress 8. Arlon (arlon.com) announced six new products for window
and wall graphics: • New DPF 206 (fabric film with woven texture) and DFP 207 (vinyl film), removable interior wall decoration films. The 6-mil polycoated matte white films feature a clear removable pressure-sensitive adhesive designed to bond well and be removable to substrates such as smooth painted non-vinyl walls. Available in 54-in. widths. • DPF 45WF is a one-way vision digital print pressure sensitive film. The 6-mil white, perforated, black-back, calandered film offers removable pressure-sensitive adhesive. Available in 54-in. widths. • A matte white vinyl film with a clear low tack removable pressure-sensitive adhesive, DPF WD White, is designed for use on windows, appliances, and high energy surfaces. Available in 54- and 60-in. widths. • Also a promotional removable film, DPF 50 WD Clear is a 4-mil transparent vinyl film with a clear low tack removable pressure-sensitive adhesive, available in 54- and 60-in. widths.
• DPF 6700 cast wall wrap material is 2-mil cast highly conformable film with aggressive permanent adhesive. The film is designed for hard-to-stick, textured surfaces. On the ISA show floor, EFI (efi.com) showcased its Vutek GS5000r roll-to-roll UV printer with various new fieldupgradeable features: white-print capabilities; multi-image and multi-queue functionality, allowing for running multiple jobs simultaneously from the user interface; and double-sided printing capabilities (optional). At the EFI Connect Conference, held during ISA, the company also introduced its new Vutek GS3250LX UV printer, which incorporates cool-cure LED technology. See page 9 for details. Caldera’s (caldera.com) Costview 3.0 allows print providers
to monitor all print-related costs by extracting job information directly from the RIP spooler. Production managers can control, modify, study (via spreadsheet), and export all relative job costs. Costview 3.0 also includes a new eco-print calculator and new carbon-footprint analysis tool, measuring CO2 from each print element (inks, media, electricity, etc.). OKI Data Americas (okidata.com) announced the addition
of the pro920WHT printer to its OKI proColor Series for color-critical applications in graphic-arts and production environments. The pro920WHT, which was showcased in the Graphics One booth (Graphics One, graphicsone.com, is the US distributor for the printer), is a tabloid/A3 digital color printer that adds white toner, allowing for direct imaging to dark or colored media, signage, and films. Pro920WHT Users can print white first OKI DATA as an undercoating on colored paper and signage, or print white last as an overcoat on transparent and image transfer media. The pro920WHT can accommodate media up to 12 x 18 in. and banners up to 12.9 x 47.24 in. Top resolution is 1200 x 600 dpi, while it can hit a speed of 31 pgs/min (color). Applications include production of T-shirt graphics, garment decorations, signage/graphics, and more. The machine will be available in late summer. Anderson America (andersonamerica.com) introduced
its Ajet hybrid UV digital printer. Capable of printing flexible and rigid substrates up to 5 x 10 ft., the 7-color (CMYKcm+w) Ajet boasts speeds up to 301 sq ft/hr and 720-dpi resolution. It can accommodate media up to 1.97in. thick.
The Flora PP 2512UV printer from Shenzhen Runtianzhi
Image Technology (floradigital.com) in China is a UV flatbed that can accommodate rigid media up to 48 x 100 in. and 4-in. thick. The 6-color printer (CMYKcm, with optional white and varnish) can be outfitted with Konica Minolta or Spectra Polaris printheads, and resultant print speeds will range from 418 sq ft/hr in Standard mode to 145 sq ft/hr in Ultra Quality mode; top resolution is 1200-1400 dpi, depending upon printhead. Graphic Finishing Partners (gfpartners.com) introduced the
new 400 Series Professional Top Heat laminators, which are available in 55- and 63-in. widths. The 400 Series features: a 1-in. variable roller gap, 4.5-in. silicon rollers, 140degree top heated roller, and speeds of up to 13.5 ft/min. The laminators are built for applications that require PSA films for overlamination, mounting, and pre-coating boards. General Formulations (generalformulations.com) an-
nounced the addition of Concept 234 Fabric Wall Film to its GraphTex line. Concept 234 is a 7-mil premium white matte coated polyester fabric with an acrylic removable pressure-sensitive adhesive allowing for removability. The fabric film can be used with solvent, eco-solvent, and UVcurable inks. Available in 54-in. widths. Tape Technologies (tapetechnologies.com) added Styletech
Digitally Printable Textured Wallpaper to its line of vinyl media. Designed for both commercial and residential, indoor applications, texture styles include: Van Gogh, Pachyderm, Stucco, and Vertical Emboss. Textured Wallpa- >47
Also of Note Three companies’ products and news we recently covered in The Big Picture and/or online, at bigpicture.net; here’s the short version for each: • Value Vinyls (valuevinyls.com) introduced Rio 18oz. Opaque Matte to its Rio line of media. The new media features an identical sheen and texture on both the face and back surfaces, as well as high-opacity pigments and blockout layer. See June issue, p 32. • Onyx Graphics (onyxgfx.com) debuted v X10.1 of its production RIP products: Onyx ProductionHouse, PosterShop, and RIPCenter. Version X10.1 software includes a feature that makes it a support tool for G7 process. See June, p 33. • Bordeaux Digital PrintInk Ltd (c-m-y-k.com) announced that subsidiary Bordeaux Digital Inc. has opened its first R&D and manufacturing facility in the US. See bigpicture.net.
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Finished Business More than 40 sources of laminators to protect and perfect print jobs.
Laminators and their requisite laminate media serve to not only increase the lifespan of your shop’s printed masterpieces, but they can also add to a graphic’s aesthetics. Yes, some clients change out their graphics so rapidly that longevity is not an issue, but laminating can be critical to graphics that are subject to ongoing abuse or even just normal wear and tear. Meanwhile, other graphics can benefit immensely from the addition of a texture or perhaps a glossy or matte finish that enhances the look of the artwork. And, of course, by charging for the increased lifespan and the visual enhancements of the output you can substantially increase your 38
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
profit margin for individual projects. To help you find that fountain of youth for your output, we’ve assembled the following roster of more than 40 companies producing laminators that use pressure-sensitive and thermal films (hot, low-temp, and heat-activated), as well as those that utilize liquid laminates, to protect, encapsulate, and mount wide-format graphics. This resource offers a sampling of laminators from each company; we did not list every laminator model from each company (visit their websites for a complete roster). Note: Looking for laminates? We provided more than 70 sources for laminates in our January issue, “Laminates: En-
hancing the Print,” pg 28 (and online, at bigpicture.net; keystroke “enhancing the print” into the search engine). Advanced Greig Laminators aglinc.com AGL’s 82-in. Compadre is a heatassisted cold laminator that comes with a multi-media addition: It offers optional built-in video training and music. With top-heated rollers, the Compadre can hit top speeds of 15 ft/min. It features a rotary dial with pre-set gap adjustments from ¹⁄₁₆- to 1 in., auto-grip core chucks for tool-free material changeovers, and pneumatic controls to raise and lower the roller nips. With the optional Zune upgrade,
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laminators users can view how-to videos on the machine itself, and also add music of their choice (the machine also connects to the AGL website to download updates, as well as new techniques and instructions). The company also offers the 62-in. Encore series of entry-level machines for pressure-sensitive and heat-activated fi lms. The series includes the NH, a cold laminator optimal for direct-to-vinyl; the SH, with a single top-heated roller for one-sided thermal fi lms and pressure-sensitive overlams; the higher-performance DHR, which builds upon the SH; and the advanced Maxim model. Advantage Distribution advantagedistribution.com The Advan-Tac EZ Mounter, available in 25-, 61-, and 80-in. widths, is a cold laminator that allows for single-sided lamination and is able to coat boards up to ½-in. thick. The AD JetMounter is a 53-in. cold mounter designed for pressure-sensitive laminates and adhesives. Aeromatrix aeromatrix.com The Orasign 1600EH is a hot/cold laminator; the Orasign 1600EC is a cold laminator. Both machines work with media up to 63-in. wide and 1-in. thick. Artgrafix artgrafix.com The Ademco Phoenix 44-in. laminator comes in three models – Base, Roll, and Pro – and accepts media up to ¼-in. thick. All three models use pouch boards but can be converted for roll fi lms. Autobond autobondlaminating.com Autobond’s wide-format offerings include the thermal Mini, in widths ranging from 23 to 41 in.; the 30 x 41in. Edgemaster 76 E encapsulator; and the 41-in. 105 CTP aqueous coater.
40
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
Banner American Products banam.com The MightyLam 2700HC laminating/ mounting machine features heated rollers, release liner takeup, and an adjustable feed table guide with hot and cold lamination. The standard 3-in. core adapters allow it to handle 1- and 3- in. core thermal fi lms and 3-in. core pressure-sensitive fi lms. The machine can accommodate digital and offset output up to 24-in. wide and ¼-in. thick. The 27-in. Easy-Lam green laminator features a standby mode that brings the thermostat down from a laminating temperature of 300°F to 150°F while the machine is not being used (the machine returns to a laminating temperature of 300°F within seven minutes). The ValueLam 4500HC accommodates media up to 44-in. wide, and features hot and cold lamination with dual heated rollers. BeDigital bedigital.name Based in Spain, BeDigital offers the Vulkan series of thermal laminators, which come in 66- and 81-in. widths. Also available are: the Sonny 1400C, a tabletop laminator with two cold rollers and the ability to work with media up to 55.1-in. wide and 1.96-in. thick; the 63-in. Genus 1600, which can handle cold lamination and image mounting onto slightly rough surfaces; and the 82.6-in. Genus 2100, which accepts media up to 0.96-in. thick. Coda codamount.com The Codamount laminator is configurable as a pressure-sensitive, heatassist, or thermal machine, in 26-, 34-, 44-, 54-, and 64-in. widths. Key features include: single side gap adjustment; nip rollers that open to 2 in.; safety motor stops (auto and manual); optional bottom feed and takeup; and more. The Coda Cold-Mount System is a production machine available in widths from 14- to 54-in. Features include: automatic scrap rewind, operator adjustable tension control,
self-locking 3-in. core supply and take-up mandrels, safety motor stops, two-inch roller gap, and precise roller and pressure adjustments. The ColdMount tabletop laminator units are also available as strictly tabletop units. Contech contech-usa.com The 3M-approved, variable speed Omega SRA comes in hot and cold models, with adjustable pressure and web-tension control. D&K International dkgroup.com D&K offers hot, cold, and pocket laminators with media capacities ranging from 42- to 83-in. wide and up to 1-in. thick. The options in its wide-format Expression line include: the 62-in. Exp 62 Plus for both thermal and pressure-sensitive lamination; the 44in. Exp 44 Twin for low-temperature laminating; the 42-in. Exp 42 Plus, a heavy duty laminator designed for laminating low-temp, thermal, and pressure sensitive fi lms; and the 42in. Exp 42 Pouch tabletop laminator. The Exp 65 is a cold laminator with an upper heated roller (up to 140 F); it can handle material up to 67-in. wide. The Exp 63 features an extra-wide chassis and a 62-in. working width. Also available (via the company’s forframersonly.com website) is the Expression Roller Press, a print-finishing system with a 42-in. working width, designed to mount and laminate in a single step. It features an adjustable thickness setting up to 1 in., a top speed of 3 ft/min, and a reverse mode. Daige daige.com Daige’s Solo Cold Laminator comes in 25-, 38-, 55- and 65-in. widths and accommodates boards up to ½-in. thick. Features include top and bottom nip rollers covered with hard silicone, steel cores, automatic take up, springloaded top rollers, a print holder in front for printing long prints, and a heavy-duty motor. Also available is the
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laminators EZ Glide Applicator, a non-electric tabletop liquid laminator in 48-, 55-, and 62-in. widths. Dataplot dataplot.de The Emblem EasyLam Junior II cold laminator is for media up to 55-in. wide and 1-in. thick. The EasyLam Avantgarde, a high-performance heat laminator, is capable of accepting media up to 62.9-in. wide. Demco demco.com The Demco Seal-Xtreme is a 27-in. hot and cold laminator with variable heat control and the ability to handle media up to ¹⁄₁₆-in. thick. Drytac drytac.com Drytac’s AFC aqueous flood coaters feature: TruSpeed Compensator, Dual Quick Disconnect Supply Tanks, and an optional secondary IR heater/fan unit; available in 63-, 75-, and 128-in. widths. All are compatible with most roll-to-roll solvent, eco-solvent, and pigmented inkjet printers and can protect inkjet graphics on vinyl, PSA, non-porous textiles, wet-strength wall coverings, canvas, and other flexible substrates; they can also function as flash-drying devices for hard-to-dry inks, the company reports. The VersaCoater XL is a wideformat digitally controlled, high-speed liquid coating machine available in 60- or 80-in. widths. It can process speeds up to 110 ft/min and is designed to handle flexible or rigid cut
sheets up to 3-in. thick, as well as rollto-roll media (with optional adapter). Drytac’s JetMounter cold laminator is designed for pressure-sensitive film; JetMounter is available in 26-, 44-, 54-, and recently added 34-in. widths.
of material up to 1.18-in. Each of the three models – the Standard, Standard/Deluxe, and Platinum Package – is capable of print mounting, cold laminating, tape application, mounting of pre-masked vinyl, and flood coating.
Eastsign eastsign.com Hong Kong’s Eastsign offers its BU series of cold laminators, ranging in widths from 25.5 to 80.3 in., with manual, auto-feeding, and electric models; a BU series of liquid laminators, ranging in widths from 63 to 126 in.; and a BU series of thermal laminators, ranging in widths from 25.5 to 90.6 in.
GBC gbc.com The 2064Ct wide-format laminator with heat-assisted top roller features include a simple LCD display for controlling pressure and temperature; swing-out fi lm shaft; a pressure plate to flatten the leading edge of curled prints; and more. It handles fi lm up to 64-in. wide and 10-mil thick and can run at speeds up to 30 ft/min for rollto-roll applications. Other products in GBC’s line of laminators include: the 79-in. 2080WFt and the 61-in. 640t, top-heat laminators for pressure-sensitive films; the Catena (25- and 41-in. wide) and Arctic (40- and 61-in. wide) cold laminators; and the 31-in. Discovery 80, a heat shoe laminator that uses infrared technology. GBC also offers hot and cold machines such as the 31-in. 5031TS, the 64-in 2064WF, the Titan (43- and 61-in. wide), the 64-in. Falcon 3064WF, and the 64-in. Orca 4064WF.
EMSeal Pty emseal.com.au The Australian manufacturer offers a line of thermal laminators, including the Compact (32 and 40 in.) and Centaur (31 and 40 in.), and the EMseal Thermal Laminator, available in 32-, 40-, and 54-in. widths. Also available: the Triseal multipurpose (hot and cold) laminators, which can handle media up to 0.5-in. thick and come in 32-, 40-, and 54-in. widths; and pressure-sensitive machines including the Applikator 2R and 4R Plus series (available in sizes up to 65 and 56 in., respectively) and the 65-in. heavy-duty Makrolam 2R 1650. Ezy Taper ezytaper.com The Ezy Taper comes in 25- and 60-in. widths and features a self-adjusting system that allows various thicknesses
Graphica Technologies graphicatech.com The Bondmaster series of large-format laminators includes thermal, cold, and hot/cold models in widths ranging from 38 to 62 in. All models offer single-and double-sided encapsulation.
Wide-format. :Anapurna M4f UV
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Graphic Finishing Partners gfpartners.com The new 400 Series Professional Top Heat laminators are available in 55- and 63- in. widths. The new series features: 1-in. variable roller gap, 4.5-in. silicon rollers, 140 degree top heated roller, and speeds of up to 13.5 ft/min. The laminators are built for applications that require PSA fi lms for overlamination, mounting, and precoating boards. HOP Inc. hop.ca HOP offers the tabletop TCC2700, a 27-in. roll laminator. Keundo Corp. keundo.co.kr Its SupraCoater LR1600 (63 in.) and LR3300 (126 in.) liquid laminators offer speeds up to 3100 and 4134 sq ft/hr, respectively. Lami lami-corporation.co.jp The LamiGorilla is available in heated, low-heat, and pressure-sensitive models (all 55-in. widths). The LamiMonkey machines, available in hot and hot/cold models, are available in 28- and 44-in. widths. Lamina System AB laminasystem.com The Lamina Basic and SA series from Sweden-based Lamina Systems are sheet-to-sheet semi-automatic laminator/mounters, available in widths of 43 to 63 in. The FA and FAS models are also available in 43- to 63-in. widths
(for thicker bottom-sheet material), and high-speed Blackline series are the company’s fully automatic offerings. Distributed in the US by Graphic West Packaging Machinery (graphicwestpm.com). Ledco ledcoinc.com The Digital is designed to laminate large graphics using fi lms up to 10mils thick at speeds up to 12 ft/min. Available in 42- and 60-in. versions, the Digital mounts with hot or cold adhesives, and can simultaneously mount and laminate. Also features pressure-release control and swingaway heat shoes. The company also offers the Econocraft (44 and 60 in.), a cold laminator, and the Signmaster 44, a hot/cold machine. Other Ledco machines include: the 25-in. HD 25 Workhorse, the 30-in. HS 30 Thoroughbred, the Industrial series (38 and 60 in.), the 25-in. Premier 4, the 27-in. Professor, and the XL Pouch (27 and 44 in.). Marabu North America marabu-northamerica.com Its StarLam 1600R roll-to-roll liquid laminator can handle substrates up to 64-in. wide and features rotating metering rods, a self-contained cleaning system, and an advanced drying technique. Designed for single-operator use, it boasts a speed of up to 4 ft/min. Neolt neolt.it Italy-based Neolt offers the NeoLam
PE, an entry-level solution for cold laminating and mounting. Available in 43-, 55-, and 65-in. sizes, it can handle media up to 1.18-in. thick with a running speed of 13 ft/min. The 65in. 1650E laminator offers a heated upper roller for cold lamination; and the CE (43 and 55 in.) and C (43, 65, and 81 in.) laminators are for cold lamination. Also available are the NeoLam M (43 and 65 in.), Dual F (65 and 81 in.), S (43 and 65 in.) and H (43, 65, and 80 in.) series of hot and cold laminators. Neschen Americas neschenamericas.com Neschen offers an array of laminators under its Seal brand including the Seal 54 EL, a 54-in. wide entry-level, cold-roll laminator and the Seal 80 Pro, an 80-in. wide mounter, laminator, and encapsulator that accommodates materials up to 1.5-in. thick. Other features include: feed table with integrated tensioning rollers, roll/image trough, and flip-down image guide; flip-up pull rollers; Combisupply shafts; ergonomic touch pad control panel on a pivot arm; output slitters; automatic upper take-up shaft; and more. Also available: Seal Image 600md (61 in., dual-heat, bi-directional); 62 Pro; 54/62 Base; UltraPlus Series (five models total); and the ProSeal 44 pouch laminator. And Neschen produces a variety of liquid coaters, including: the 18-in. Accu-18XE; 60-in. AccuCoat 1600; AccuCure 60 UV and the AccuCure 80 UV (60- and 80-in. wide, respectively).
Wider choice. :Jeti 1224 HDC UV
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laminators Optima International optima-int.com The 54-in. Optima RCS 5400 Minicoater uses water- or solvent-based laminates; the 36-, 56-, and 76-in. 110/220 V models can accommodate vinyl, canvas, photo-paper, Tyvek, and other types of media. Also offered
is the 36-in. Convertible Rollacoat Liquid Laminator.
in. motorized laminator geared toward professional photographers.
Pacific Studio Supplies coatac.com The ACL460 is a cold laminator designed for print providers and framers. The company’s MCL260 is a 26-
Polisigns Supplies polisigns.com Offers the ENTM series of cold laminators and the ENHTM series of hot laminators, all in 54- and 66-in. wide models and all can now handle media up to 1-in. thick. The company also offers the 63-in. PLAII liquid laminator.
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Professional Laminating Systems pro-lam.com PLS offers the 27-in. PL227HP and the 38-in. PL238WF, which can laminate substrates up to ¼-in. thick. The 44in. PL244WF thermal laminator can accept media up to ³⁄₁₆-in. thick and features variable speed control, 12-in. diameter roll capacity, digital temperature readout, and more. QMLS qmls.com Its Quality 64TLX is a 62-in. topheated mounting/laminating machine with a top roller for thermal lamination and a bottom roller that can be used for self-adhesive fi lms. Features photoelectric nip protection circuit and removable front and rear tables. Remington Laminations remingtonlaminations.com The M65 Mini Mounter tabletop cold laminator is 27-in. wide and accepts media up to ³⁄8-in. thick. Royal Sovereign International royalsovereign.com Its hot and cold machines include the 27- and 41-in. models of RSS Hot-Shoe and RSR Rolling-Shoe as well as the 41- and 65-in. RSH Hot-Roller. The RSC cold-roll laminator offers pressure-sensitive lamination for images up to 65-in. wide. Splash of Color splashofcolor.com The Cool-Lam 640C is a cold laminator for pressure-sensitive media
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up to 63-in. wide. Features include a motor-reverse function, single set of main rollers, powered take-up shaft, and more. USTech Inc. bestdgi.com The Pro S Series (single roller) and Pro D Series (dual roller) laminators are available in 44-, 55-, and 65-inch widths. The cold laminating systems include Worf MJ Series and the new USTech VS Series, which features a 1.5-in. nip opening and three sizes: 44-, 55-, and 65-inch wide. The new 50-in. Master Cold laminator oers an Auto Liner backing paper pickup system. USI usi-laminate.com USI’s heated roll laminators include the Samson Plus 4200/6200/6300 (42, 62, and 63 in., respectively). The 6300 is a heavy-duty machine featuring variable speed, reverse, independent upper/lower electronic temperature controls, and can accommodate substrates up to 1-in. thick. Also features: three emergency stop buttons, release liner rewind, foot control pedal for hands-free operation, length cutters, and more. Its heat shoe laminators include the 40-in. and 42-in. CRL models, and the 40-in. MRL42 combination laminator/mounter. Wesco Machine wesco-machine.com Heat options include: the 30-in. F30 and the 38-in. F38, with flat composition wood-grain laminate tables, 3-in. silicone rubber rolls, forward brake, and reversible variable DC control; and the 54-in. W56 model, which can handle any substrate up to 2.5-in. thick. Western Magnum westernmag.com Oers the XRL Hot Roll laminators in 24-, 36-, and 48-in. widths. Although primarily used in the circuit-board industry, these laminators can also be used for large-format graphics.
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business + management <12 wine tasting, recommendations, etc. He also did his homework and created a wine library, capitalizing on years of working in the business; in other words: he knows his “stuff,” everything about the content – wine. Next was the creation of an online sales capability through his one-stop shop on the Internet. Now, 80,000 people view Vaynerchuk’s site daily. He built his brand and, with a very small budget and name, grew the family business from $4 million to $60 million in five years. With appearances on numerous shows such as NBC’s “Today Show” and CNBC’s “Mad Money” and articles galore, new revenue streams were developed in public speaking, book writing (including a 10-book deal), and as expert wine consultant for Virgin America.
Nurturing relationships To increase the relationship aspect of a customer bond (and decrease the emphasis on “price-only” criteria for your interaction), you can nurture the relationship through social-media tools, which amplifies the avenues of contact with your customer. So if you participate in a blog where you solve problems or suggest alternative actions, the customer sees you as an industry expert and will look to you for solutions to printing issues. Small businesses can do this just as well as larger companies: Printers solve problems for customers every day – why not get the word out through how-to video clips, a blog, or an advice/chat area on your corporate website or portal? With the plan to create a blog and join other online conversations, BreakingPoint, a Texas Internet security company, set up a monitoring system to scan the Internet, the blogosphere, online forums, and communities to find relevant conversations in their industry and their audience before starting their own blog. Tools such as Tweet Scan and Google Alerts were used for industry terms, and BoardTracker.com was utilized to monitor various forums with a goal of creating strong relationships with hard-to-find prospects. They used their own blog to break stories that generated links from other sites, and Twitter delivered shorter, more frequent updates to supplement the company blog. Again, a key-terms search on Twitter helped them to find conversations, competitors’ names, and industry research. Other steps focused on increasing website traffic, such as increasing press-release frequency to one per week, the use of a press-release service, as well as social media sites. They promoted social media channels on the company website and in staff e-mail signatures. Last, they measured social media accounts and traffic. After six months, unique blog page views increased, and they gained numerous Twitter followers and members in their LinkedIn Groups. A 155-percent increase in unique Web visitors was reported, and so staff believed the goal was achieved. 46
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
Brand-loyalty building The key to building brand loyalty is the ability to provide value to customers as a thought leader. There are a lot of possible answers to what provides value to customers – but at the foundation it is your ability to give them what they need. If a company representative uses various social media tools to share thoughts that are positive and are seen to offer solutions to the customer’s problems, pain points, or concerns, then the rep is offering value to the client. If the comments or recommendations are of a high quality and share advice, examples, and observations on trends, his or her role as a thought leader or an expert increases. And, like it or not, your customers are talking about your company, your service, and your problem resolution on various social-media tools already. To monitor – and manage – your own company’s reputation, fi rst you need to fi nd out where most of your customers have a presence and then you need to keep an eye on those sources. Reputation management of your company can also be followed through alerts you receive any time your company name is mentioned on the Internet. You will also want to query various search engines with the names of prominent people in your company to be aware of comments or discussions related to them that may be on the Internet. Reviews by customers are also on the Internet and you should know what is being said so you can quickly address any public-relations issues brought before these audiences. Business software provider IBM Cognos developed a goal to increase response rates and reduce the cost per lead. It explored many methods of achieving this goal including: revamping its website with more offers, releasing white papers, utilizing online demos, hosting events, and participating in online communities. Prospects fi lled out contact information for the special offers, which led a growing contact list and a new leadnurturing program was developed based on the new customer list. IBM Cognos was able to extend numerous touches to their list with additional relevant content and created new offers based on prospect profi les. They also conducted statistical analysis of their marketing interactions, and with more than 200,000 such interactions, the prioritization of additional tactics and investments began. Some interesting findings from these activities were that online demos had the highest rate of opportunity creation, face-to-face events had the largest impact on close rate and size of the deal, and 10 days was the cycle of the opportunities. After implementing this plan, the company realized both new leads and reduced costs per lead. More than 11 percent of visitors to the website complete the registration form, a vast improvement over the 3-percent average industry-capture rate.
ISA Sign Expo <37 per is available in 20.75-in. wide x 98-ft long rolls. Also new to Tape Technologies is Styletech Wallpaper Ultra, which incorporates an embossed PVC topcoat. Styles include: Knit, Leather, Basket Weave, Snakeskin, Woodgrain, Ice Crystals, Pinstripes, and Woven. Wallpaper Ultra is available in 54-in. wide x 81-ft long rolls. CADlink (cadlink.com) introduced SignLab 9, its latest
version of signmaking software with a full suite of text, vector, and raster design tools and support for vinyl cutters, sign printers, thermal ribbon printers, engravers, routers, and dye sub printers. Version 9 features new design tools including a menu-board design interface; advanced transparency support for bitmap and gradient filled objects; decorative edge tool; new stroke/line tools and color controls; extended text character viewer; and more. Hexis (hexis-graphics.com) debuted its new line of green
products, Naturally, which includes a latex printing film and a gloss overlaminate. HXL300WG2 is a latex film with a gloss finish coated with a gray pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive and is suitable for solvent inkjet printers and Mu-
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toh Bio inks and HP Latex inks. The 4-mil film is PVC free, with no plasticizers and includes a HexPress liner. PL300CG2 is a glossy latex laminate with pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive made for use with HXL300WG2; the 1-mil film is also PVC free. ConVerd’s EnviroScape
EnviroScape Mural Plus CONVERD
Mural Plus made its North American show debut. Incorporating 10% post-consumer waste and FSC-certified, the new media has a 6-mil thickness and a weight of 4.87 oz/sq yd. EnviroScape Mural Plus is compatible with solvent, latex, and UV-curable inks, and can be used for murals, wall décor, P-O-P signage, and frontlit and window displays. It meets the California 01350 standards for indoor air quality, a pre-requisite for LEED credit certification; its fire rating is ASTM E-84 class A. Roll sizes in 42-, 54-, and 60-in.
July 2011
Agfa Graphics
42-43
www.agfa.com www.c-m-y-k.com 45 41 39
www.oceusa.com
ST Book Store
41, 44
Ultraflex Systems
5
www.ultraflexx.com 3
www.mimakiusa.com Océ North America
Specialty Graphic Imaging Assoc 13
www.bookstore.stmediagroup.com
www.signs.org Mimaki USA, Inc.
11
www.sgia.org
www.fespamexico.com International Sign Assoc
Signage and Graphics Summit www.signageandgraphics.com
www.encoreproducts.com FESPA
IBC
www.seiko-i.com
Bordeaux Digital Print Ink Ltd. OBC Encore Products
Seiko Instruments USA Inc
Visual Magnetics
1
www.visualmagnetics.com IFC
Zund America Inc.
5
www.zund.com
www.bigpicture.net
47
job log
Graphics Fit for a Rap King “The biggest challenge was taking snapshot images and turning them into artistic, super-fine quality photographs. The client wanted a blistering turnaround, yet we had to spend an entire day on file work alone.”
48
THE BIG PICTURE JULY 2011
The Client Roc Nation The Player Apple Visual Graphics (applevisualgraphics.com) Tools & Supplies Mimaki JV33, Mimaki ES3 Eco-Solvent inks, Sihl Smart Canvas Matte 3482, OnOne Software Perfect Resize 7 The Job When Roc Nation, the music-publishing and entertainment company, got wind that hip-hop tycoon Jay Z was going to pay a visit to its Manhattan corporate headquarters, it hustled to spruce up its offices and make them fit for a rap king. For graphic-décor upgrades, Roc Nation looked to its long-time print provider, New York-based Apple Visual Graphics, to liven up the lobby with some new artwork. The publisher called for 30 square images of its most famous artists, including Rihanna, Wale, The Ting Tings, J. Cole, Willow Smith, and Jay Z himself. “We’d been working with Roc Nation for a month or so on Rocawear [Jay Z’s fashion company], when their art director asked us if we could print on canvas and stretch it. We priced the job and worked with them to design the project. Because Jay Z’s appearance was announced with such short notice, we had only five days to complete the job,” says Adam Sturm, Apple Visual’s president. Production Roc Nation provided Apple Visual with the images, but “the fi les were not set up to wrap around the canvas stretcher bars. We had to resize all the fi les using Perfect Resize 7 and add to the picture in Photoshop to stretch it and bleed around the bars,” says Sturm. Following a round of PDF and full-size proofs, Roc Nation approved the images. Apple Visual then chose its Mimaki JV33 to output onto more than 550 square feet of Sihl Smart Canvas Matte 3482. Fearing that the solvent smell from having 30 prints in one relatively small space would be too overwhelming, the shop went with Mimaki’s ES3 Eco-Solvent inks. The prints – varying in size from 18 x 24 to 48 x 72 inches – were installed onto stretcher bars using just a straight edge and a staple gun, then hung gallery style using basic picture and eye hooks along with framing wire. In all, the project took two days to print, two-and-a-half days to assemble and stretch all 30 prints, and one day to install.
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