Afinia Label’s New L501 Color Label Printer with Dual-Ink Technology
Afinia Label (Booth 3446) and HP (Booth 613) have collaborated on a new color label printer that is making its debut at PRINT 17. The L501 Color Label Printer supports both durable, pigment-based inks, as well as vibrant, dye-based inks.
Pigment inks offer unparalleled durability with compatible stocks, and are a must for applications requiring full-color waterproof or UV-resistant labels. Though they are durable, pigment inks, by nature, are not as vibrant and colorful as dye-based inks.
Dye-based inks are less durable as compared to pigment, yet can reach a much larger color gamut, allowing for amazing, vibrant, full-color prime labels.
This compatibility with both pigment- and dye-based inks makes the L501 one of the most versatile label printers available on the market today. The interchangeability of the two ink types gives users tremendous flexibility by allowing them to print both prime and durable labels on the same unit.
“Prior to the L501, companies had to compromise when choosing a color label printer,” says Mike Atkins, Afinia Label’s National Sales Manager. “Fast, pigment ink printers were limited to under 4" in label width, and you couldn’t switch to dye-based inks for true compatibility with gloss stocks. The L501 solves this by maximizing label stock compatibility and value, while providing outstanding print quality.”
The L501 is the newest addition to Afinia Label’s product line. Afinia Label offers label printers from the entry level L301 (also developed in collaboration with HP), to the industrial L801. In addition to printers, Afinia Label offers a complete line of finishing equipment that can laminate and even die cut labels to any desired shape.
The L501 prints on rolls of blank labels ranging from 2 to 8.5" in width. For die-cut media, it utilizes sensors that detect label gaps or black marks. The L501 also works with continuous label material. The L501 integrated, powered unwinder and an automatic cutter allow for easy removal of printed labels. The L501 is capable of printing up to 4,800 dpi, print speeds up to 6" per second, and has a compact form factor for use on a desktop or in a production environment.