Already installed in over 30 locations across Europe as part of the Avery TrafficJet turnkey road signage printing system, the VKR3200 HS as shown at Fespa has an updated industrial design and prints CMYK plus white, with a further varnish option. The printer operates at up to 317sqm/hr in two-pass draft mode, which is also suitable for mesh work, and typically between 120 and 140sqm/hr in production mode.

The VKR3200 HS  can handle two rolls of up to 1.6m width, with independent control of each via a ‘novel’ user interface, as well as single rolls of wider media. Priced from €120,000 for the single row of Kyocera printheads version, the mesh kit and dual roll option may be added, and aa twin-row printhead version is also offered.

Unusually for a printer at this price point, it also offers full integration with Durst’s workflow and analytics software ‘ecosystem’, as well as being driven by Durst’s DFE, which offers preflighting as well as Ripping capabilities.

Distribution in the UK and Ireland is via Durst’s UK operation and distributor ArtSystems; Vanguard Europe has also struck deals with Netherlands-based Pixia for the Benelux region and most recently with Grup Transilvae in Romania.

Fabian Sottsas, managing director of Vanguard Europe, said, ‘Just a week after confirming Grup Transilvae’s partnership in Romania, we are preparing to share news of a new collaboration in France in the next few weeks, proving how committed we are to growing our operations quickly and efficiently. Our mission is to continue to replicate the success of our parent company, which has installed over a thousand LFP printing systems across the Americas.’

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A sister company to Full Circle Events & Exhibitions, Psycho Peacock is based in Salford, Greater Manchester and provides a service from design to installation for graphics in exhibitions, events, retail, museums, construction and visitor attractions. The investments are expected to provide up to six times the previous capacity, with the output from the previous four machines produced by the already installed and profiled P5 350.

Steve Comar, Psycho Peacock’s managing director, commented, ‘This investment gives us the scope and resources to fully deliver on our goals for both graphics and print, across our key sectors, live events, exhibitions and retail for the next three years. We can be assured due to the Durst technology, incredible quality and output metrics, that we can stand by our commitment to continually drive innovation which underpins our values and clients’ needs.’

The Tex iSub production printer is said to have opened up new business opportunities with dye sublimation for Psycho Peacock. The company said the investment in ‘cutting-edge machinery epitomising speed, quality and efficiency’ will ‘revolutionise output.’

Andrew McIntyre, general manager at Psycho Peacock, added, ‘The big thing with the Durst is that it provides the highest print quality, massive extra capacity and flexibility. Dye-sub also enables us to produce sustainable products, using fully recyclable materials, which means waste never goes to landfill. This opens up new business possibilities in a year when we are already beating our own ambitious sales targets.’

‘Delighted’ with Psycho Peacock’s investment into Durst’s technology, Peter Bray, UK and Ireland managing director of Durst Group, said, ‘Offering complete solutions from pixel to output, we continue to lead by innovation and look forward to continuing to help the team fully deliver on their goals. Our technology will help them further with their sustainability goals, commitment to excellence, streamlining logistics and moving towards greater automation.’

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Available in the UK and Ireland through exclusive distributor Hybrid Services, the new UCJV330-160 integrated printer/cutter is said to offer versatile LED UV roll-to-roll inkjet printing with significantly improved productivity and image quality. It has a production speed of 28sqm/hr in four-colour configuration, dropping to 18sqm/hr with white and/or clear inks. These speeds can be achieved with high output quality, thanks to Mimaki’s newly-developed ink firing technology that improves colour reproduction in high density areas even in high-speed output mode.

The printer is equipped with white and clear inks as standard, and users can print high quality images on conventional media used for outdoor sign graphics applications, as well as translucent, transparent, and coloured materials, including PET, polyurethane and other resin films, textiles and uncoated paper. This media flexibility is complemented by the ability to produce 2.5D print, watermarks or five-layer printing, and the UCJV330-160 is also equipped with advanced features for contour cutting to deliver stickers, decals and labels.

The UJV100-160Plus model is described as ‘affordable’ and has been designed to consume an ‘exceptionally low’ amount of power. At 0.5kW, MImaki estimates it consumes less than half the power of alternative eco-solvent and latex/resin printers on the market, helping to reduce running costs and CO2 emissions. A new ink saving function reduces consumption by up to 50% while maintaining the colour balance of the printed work; ink reduction levels are set by the operator using RasterLink7 software, and do not require specialised knowledge or equipment for colour adjustment.

A new function included in the printer pulls back the printed substrate to enable up to three-layer printing, extending application scope and allowing colour-white-colour or white-colour-clear printing, giving more flexibility in the range of applications, for increased creative effect or to add value to applications such as window graphics.

The two new printers are compatible with Pict, Mimaki’s new cloud-based printer status monitoring tool for all Mimaki products. Available for customers to download, Pict improves the efficiency of Mimaki customers’ print operations and production management by giving them the ability to monitor the operational status and performance of their printers from a PC or mobile device.

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Wrexham, North Wales-based Graphtec is a reseller of cutting, engraving, marking and print finishing equipment. The new partnership with Mutoh means that Graphtec will now deliver complete wide-format printing and finishing solutions and will provide comprehensive nationwide coverage for Mutoh.

Mitsuo Takatsu, managing director of Mutoh Europe, said, ‘Strong and effective distribution is vital for our continued success in the UK and we are delighted to have agreed this partnership with Graphtec GB. The breadth and quality of our products are at the very top level in this industry, and having a committed and hugely respected distributor like Graphtec GB representing us is fantastic news for the UK market. We are very confident that Graphtec’s extensive experience and unrivalled reputation for delivering high-quality wide-format cutting, finishing and software solutions will seamlessly integrate with our printing technology to make them a very formidable and comprehensive wide-format solutions provider for the UK.’

Phil Kneale, director of Graphtec, commented, ‘We are widely recognised across the UK as a top supplier to the wide-format graphics production and sign-making industry of everything except printers. We have been actively researching the market for the right printer partner and we are very happy to have agreed on this deal with Mutoh Europe. Mutoh is one of the most established and well-known suppliers of wide format printers, with a comprehensive portfolio of cutting-edge, innovative machines and ink technologies’

Graphtec managing director Tom Kneale added, ‘We see this as a real dream partnership for both us and for Mutoh. The sheer quality of the Japan-made Mutoh printers is as good if not better than anything else on the market, and their ground-breaking ink technology is winning awards globally. The partnership completes the jigsaw for us and means that we are up there as one of the UK’s leading providers of complete wide-format print and production solutions for the printing, sign-making and visual communications industry.’

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The investment at the Southend-on-Sea-based printer was prompted by a need to increase capacity to meet demand, but also to adopt the additional functionality and productivity offered by the new press. Having won an EDP award for best roll-to-roll large format printing system at its launch, the Oberon RTR3300 offered a number of features that deliver speed, quality and ease of use, according to Solopress.

The Oberon prints onto rolls up to 3.3m wide, or simultaneously on two 1.6m rolls. It can also print onto a multitude of flexible media, opening up the possibility of products in a broad range of sizes and materials. The printer uses UV LED curing, and its inks have the highest category of Greenguard Gold certification with regard to chemical emissions.

Solopress head of operations Jack Clifford, commented, ‘By integrating the Oberon RTR3300 into our workflow, we’re further expanding our capacity to deliver fast-turnaround, high-quality, large-format print. In conjunction with the additional Fotoba cutter, the investment has made effective improvements to the efficiency and sustainability of our large format production. The versatility of the new set-up will also allow for more diverse and cost-effective product options in the future.’

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‘From the moment I saw the Colorado, I was impressed,’ said Image-Corporate managing director Tony Smith. ‘The quality, speed and versatility make it ideal for our requirements,’ he said, adding, ‘We specialise in creating branding for the hospitality and catering sector and with inks being UV, we can laminate straight away saving us a lot of time. Prints are really durable too which makes them ideal for wallcoverings and signage in catering environments where we do a lot of work.’

Founded in 1990 as a graphic design agency, Image-Corporate has expanded its capability, now offering AutoCAD and Rhino design 3D services. The company also has a comprehensive in-house production capability for small and large format graphics, CNC routing, laser cutting and  3D printing services.

The company has also developed a portable RapidBar unit which can be tailored by hospitality and events companies to create an instant event, promotion or revenue-generating opportunity personalised with the client’s branding. Portable and compact, RapidBars are vinyl wrapped, suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Graphics for the RapidBars are produced on the Colorado 1630 using customers’ artwork, or bespoke graphics created by Image-Corporate.  Graphics can also be produced as magnetic panels which are interchangeable, allowing the RapidBar branding to be changed within seconds. 

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The Uvijet HZ inks, which the company says are quickly cured with conventional LED UV lamps, are suitable for decorating a range of materials commonly used in thermoforming applications. Fujifilm claims ‘superb’ dot reproduction, light-fast colours with ‘outstanding’ adhesion and elongation, and high quality for applications involving deep-draw thermoforming, line bending and dome blowing. Other benefits of the inks are said to include high quality finishing, bending, creasing, routing and guillotining.

The inks are suitable for internal and external applications, and work between 150-200*C. They are also free from volatile solvents and hydrocarbons, meaning that they have less impact on the environment than solvent-based products.

Matthew Whiting, product manager at Fujifilm Wide Format Inkjet Systems, commented, ‘With our extensive knowledge of the sector, as well as the award-winning manufacturing facilities at our Broadstairs site, Fujifilm proudly creates inks to maximise the capability of its printers, such as the Acuity Prime.

‘When thermoforming, you don’t want the ink to crack, become brittle or flake. Our Uvijet HZ inks are very flexible and maintain their high quality throughout the thermoforming process, resulting in an excellent finish.’

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Ri-Jet PO100 is a 100-micron thick polyolefin plastic film suitable for the decoration of points of sale, shop windows and panels. The company says the film is exceptionally flexible in its latex, UV LED or UV-gel printable versions, with the added benefit that it can be removed from the application surface without leaving any traces. Due to its flame-retardant properties and because it complies with Reach and RoHS regulations, Ri-Jet PO100 is suitable for both outdoor and indoor applications.

Daniele Perotti, product manager for graphics at Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives, said, ‘Ri-Jet PO100 not only meets the demands of our end-users, major interior design, fashion and luxury brands, who prefer PVC-free solutions for their short-term communication campaigns, but also the commitments that Fedrigoni has undertaken in terms of sustainability and environmental impact, underpinned by precise life-cycle assessment calculations that have been extended to the entire range of products.’

Fedrigoni says certified data shows that the production of this film requires 2% less energy and 32.5% less water, reducing CO2 emissions by 15.5%. Its development is part of the company’s plan to reach its 2030 targets which include a 30% reduction in polluting emissions and 70% of its self-adhesive product volume incorporating cutting-edge sustainable features.

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Updating the Durst was left longer than usual because of capital equipment upgrades elsewhere in the company. Due to the company’s existing flatbed firepower, it decided to invest in a dedicated 5m roll-to-roll replacement rather than opting for a hybrid. At present the company uses an existing flexible UV printer on which to output stretch fabric graphics, but the new Vutek Q5r will enable it to expand capacity on that offering and provide backup should the need arise.

The new Q5r supports up to nine colours including white and clear, and prints at a resolution of up to 1200dpi. imageData prints significant volumes of clear cling vinyl, so white ink was an absolute requirement. It also chose the clear ink option.

Glen Patrick, COO at imageData Group, said, ‘Buying any new piece of kit is a bold move but you have to move with the times. However, when you change supplier and shift to another equipment manufacturer, that’s an even bolder move as you’re beginning a new relationship. CMYUK has given us both confidence and reassurance that the after sales support is there, which has been a big part of the decision-making process. It’s fast, prints at very high quality, there’s much less waste when setting up, and it includes inline finishing that will reduce production bottlenecks, so it’s superior across the board.’

The business runs three roll-to-roll machines, which at times produces a bottleneck at finishing stages. Mr Patrick added, ‘The new printer will obviously be able to finish a lot of things inline, which will really help in removing that pressure. We think that clear [ink] could be a useful USP to offer to customers as it adds the effect of a spot UV or an overall varnish without incurring a significant cost increase; perfect for a Christmas campaign.’

In addition to white and clear applications, the Q5r offers double-sided printing, multi-layer print modes, and minimal supervision continuous printing with multi-media handling solutions for large and heavy rolls. It also offers simultaneous multi roll printing, allowing ImageData to utilise the 5m width by printing either 2 x 2.5m or 3 x 1.6m rolls or a combination of both, whilst having the capacity to print vast single piece graphics.

The Q5r has been designed to reduce running costs and ramp up environmental benefits. UV LED cool curing uses significantly less energy consumption at 2.9kW when compared to the 10kW it takes to run traditional mercury lamps.

Mr Patrick said, ‘Lower power consumption has become key, which maybe in years gone by wouldn’t have been in the forefront as it is now. Other features like the reduction in make-ready waste is impressive. Webbing the printer has reduced linear material wastage to 400mm whereas in the past we’ve dealt with four linear metres that represents a great deal of savings over the year.’

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The 3.2m production speed printer is equipped with Konica Minolta heads, offering multi-roll capability, low energy consumption LED lamps, and eco green inks. With print speeds up to 120sqm/h, a two-pass printing process and a maximum resolution of 2160dpi, the machine uses CMYK, light cyan, light magenta and an optional white ink. Through the new partnership, the Jetrix LXiR320 will be driven by PrintFactory RIip and workflow software, which is already offered by Josero.

Ben Woodruff, sales manager, InkTec Europe, said, ‘Soyang/Josero is a great partner for the Jetrix LXiR320. It’s an opportunity to offer the model to a wider customer base, particularly for businesses based in the north who will now be able to see the machine in action at Soyang’s facility. I’m looking forward to working closely with the team to get the collaboration up and running and inviting Soyang customers to experience the LXiR320 for themselves.’

Sarah Winterbottom, group sales director, Soyang Group, added, ‘The Jetrix LXiR320 is the perfect addition as we grow our equipment offering and look for new ways to ensure our customers have access to the best solutions available. For businesses pursuing opportunities in new markets, this reliable, consistent, economical solution is ideal, and we can’t wait to start showing our existing customers and other interested parties what the LXiR320 is made of.’

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