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| Wednesday, 01 October 2008 09:56 |
Redefining The World of Superwide-format PrintingWhen VUTEk invented the world’s first superwide-format printer it opened up whole vistas of opportunity, and the company now owned by EFI, has continued to make the production of huge graphics affordable and even more accessible.VUTEk printers, the product of the true pioneering architects of the superwide-format digital printing industry, first offered the world a cutting-edge way to make extra-large, short-run, affordable graphics on flexible substrates. And today it continues to be EFI VUTEk that has a unique vision of where and how superwide graphics will advance as the segments of the printing industry continue to evolve with digital printing. VUTEk DNA. The drive to innovate is nothing new to EFI VUTEk. Just as it ushered in the superwide revolution, the company remains committed to turning vision into industry firsts. VUTEk innovation is a key part – and result – of its unique DNA. And it would prove itself time and again in adapting the power of digital technology to screen-printing, and in leading the industry to new production focused technologies that include the industries broadest product portfolio of solvent and UV-curing based printers that drive higher quality and higher speed output. Like many innovation pioneers who consistently define and redefine our world with new and unexpected leaps in technology, EFI VUTEk is poised to open new superwide applications and print markets that will allow companies to differentiate themselves long into the foreseeable future. “Our entire learning and development in large-format digital inkjet printing has been achieved with VUTEk technology and our success and evolution is largely due to EFI’s ability to innovate.” Christophe Aussenac, ATC Groupe, Lyon, France A look ahead Chuck Dourlet, Vice President of Marketing, EFI VUTEk says, “With industry sources like OAAA predicting that out of home advertising will continue to enjoy an average growth that is two to three times greater than traditional in home advertising, the outlook for superwide -ormat printing continues to be extremely bright.” The continuing increased adoption of digital technology across all types of traditional print is inevitable. Just another example is the recent launch of the VUTEk DS series high-speed digital printer – the first true alternative able to replace traditional analogue-based screen printing technology. The road ahead is marked by two unmistakable signposts – traditional analogue processes are going digital, and solvent-based superwide digital inkjet printers are transitioning to UV. Furthermore, the entire industry is accelerating toward an ever-higher standard in image quality requirements. And, EFI VUTEk is leading the way with new products and technologies that are not only enabling, but also driving these transitions. Analogue to digital – screenprinting will never be the same. Today few industrial processes have escaped the digital revolution. The advantage of digital is in its economics. Digital is faster, more flexible and more affordable. It’s versatile, enabling one device to be used for long-run, short-run or one-off output. It doesn’t take a great stretch of imagination to see how this could benefit the world of screenprinting. In fact, you can stop imagining; it’s here. The VUTEk DS Series superwide digital printer is the first true alternative to conventional screen printing, combining digital economics, UV advantages and breakthrough speed in a new flatbed printer that delivers greater productivity, image quality and application flexibility. In order for shops to seriously follow through with their plans for business growth, the DS Series offers both the means and the motivation to do so. The DS Series is designed to replace today’s traditional screen printing systems by delivering only what digital superwide printing can – incredible image quality and precision, optimized colour using seamless, digitally-based workflow, and EFI’s feature rich Fiery XF RIP with it’s industry leading colour management expertise. The DS Series is ideal for producing indoor and outdoor signs and banners, point of purchase (POP) advertising, exhibition graphics, and backlit displays to name just a few applications. What’s more, it is specially engineered to maximize output speed and production capacity. Users will realize higher profitability through the inherent economies of digital technology and workflow. Solvent to UV-curing, a matter of image quality and profitability If you could get improved image quality in superwide-format output at greater economy, would you do it? EFI VUTEk engineers began the design and construction of a new breed of printer with the obvious answer in mind – “Yes”. The result was the VUTEk family of QS digital inkjet superwide printers. They offer print shops the opportunity to transition from traditional solvent-based printing to higher-quality output using UV-curing inks. The QS family of digital superwide printers include three advanced systems: the hybrid and highly-versatile VUTEk QS2000 and QS3200, and the VUTEk QS3200r roll-to-roll UV-curing printers. The two-meter-wide VUTEk QS2000 and 3.2-meter QS3200 do nothing less than take print businesses around the world to digital inkjet profitability faster than any previous printer ever could – even though solvent ink may cost less. According to Dourlet, “While solvent ink is less expensive, UV curable inks typically yield around 50 per cent greater coverage of the media. Where a liter of solvent might cover, let’s say, 650sq.m of a particular substrate, UV will cover 1,000sq.m, so the actual production cost differences are to some extent illusory. UV also gives you an expanded choice of substrates, which can boost sales appeal.” Dourlet continues, “While cost-focused applications are a natural part of the market, successful printers complement this business with higher value applications sold on a differentiated approach. This is where UV is at its best and where we encourage our customers to focus.” “The quality of the graphic output from our QS2000 is second to none and the high productions speeds mean that we can successfully keep to the deadlines of our customers.” Richard Leach, Leach Colour, Huddersfield, UK The VUTEk QS3200r UV roll-to-roll digital printer enables larger, bolder graphic production and is redefining image quality in the traditional roll-to-roll segment. It opens up completely new market opportunities for businesses looking to fulfill customer needs for high-quality superwide graphics with the fastest possible turnaround on a variety of flexible substrates. New superwide applications drive new higher value output. The applications that lend themselves to superwide graphics are expanding every day. Beyond marketing, sales promotion and branding messaging, today’s superwide graphics are making inroads into the fine art world, wall covering and many interior design applications, as well as the industrial sector. More artists and fine art photographers are making use of superwide-format flatbed printers, not only as a replacement for or complement to the work they are accustomed to doing on conventional wide format inkjet (up to 60”), but they are also venturing into new artistic territory by using unusual substrates that have texture, color and other attributes beyond traditional white canvas and papers. Superwide digital wall covering can be used to customize a room, business, tradeshow stand, or retail location into a unique experience matching images, colors and textures across the environment. Superwide can add detail, tie together separate elements and give the illusion of size and visual openness to a small or closed area. It can combine photo-realistic images with information and company branding. With the availability of materials in ready-to-print bolts and the right printer, only imagination limits where digital wall covering can go from here. As these examples show, using EFI’s VUTEk superwide UV digital printers, today’s shops can print on a range of truly unique surfaces, from brushed metal to textiles. A key part of what makes this possible is the advent of white ink formulas and application techniques. Suddenly, being restricted to a white color base substrate is no longer the case. Colored stock is possible and lends itself to a whole range of highly differentiated opportunities. White ink also enhances the output’s attractiveness in day or nighttime. Innovation means being right to market The product landscape is littered with examples where being first to market at the wrong price or with a technology that isn’t ready for broad adoption leads to failure. Leadership is about being “right to market” with useful technology that solves customer problems and enables new capabilities. This same rule holds true for digital printing. Even as sales of solvent machines begin to flatten and systems using UV curable inks continue to trend upwards, EFI VUTEk is dedicated to optimizing current solutions while developing what’s next. At the core of these efforts is a customer-first, market-in approach to product development. The result is a portfolio including best in class 5 meter and 3.2 meter solvent printers, award winning 2 and 3.2 meter hybrid and roll-to-roll UV printers, and category defining products such as the DS Series. Define. Redefine. As many leading companies have proven through the years, those who first define an industry or category are also in a position to redefine it. This describes EFI VUTEk. As wide-format becomes superwide. As analogue becomes digital. As the use of solvent inks transitions to greater use of UV-curing inks. And as today’s superwide digital inkjet printing challenges become tomorrow’s opportunities. EFI VUTEk continues to lead the way. 
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