GE07: Digital Printing — Applications Being Taken

ONE OF the promotional pieces sent out by the sponsors of Graph Expo made the claim that this year’s event would be the largest digital printing show in the United States by a factor of two. That’s including solutions for page printing, wide-format printing, software and related equipment.

Tuesday was designated “Customer & Marketing Communications Day,” which was supposed to put a special focus on transpromotional printing applications that combine direct marketing with statements/transactional mail. Several digital press vendors did highlight this developing market during their press briefings, and GMC Software had a good-sized booth, but this application was still easy to miss around the show floor.

It’s not yet clear to what extent commercial printers are in a position to—or want to—stake a claim to the business. Hardware vendors see potential for the same color printing systems to produce transpromo and graphic arts applications, but traditional statement printing is extremely cost-sensitive and puts a premium on throughput so output from systems optimized for print quality may be a tougher sell. On the software side, specialized applications typically are used along with the variable data solutions found in digital print shops.

Additionally, in-plants/CRDs, statement service bureaus and mailing services providers are all potentially vying with commercial printers to own this market.

This dynamic is behind Océ’s introduction of the ColorStream 10000, which is based on the same continuous-feed print engine as the manufacturer’s VS9000 series, but has been optimized for graphic arts applications and prints at 172 ipm in process color. Advanced algorithms, GraphicArts dot modulation and other enhancements are used to produce smooth gradations, crisp graphics and other printing improvements. The high-quality model is projected to begin shipping before the end of first quarter 2008, while the VS9000 series will continue to be offered for other applications, including transpromo.

There were several other new color printing engines introduced, but much of the news at the show pertained to new business deals and application of existing technology.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. has extended its product line with the bizhub PRO C5500 digital color production printing system, which is based on the C6500 model. It outputs up to 55 ppm in color and black-and-white, uses Simitri HD color polymerized toner and supports a maximum 13x19.2˝ paper size.

Ricoh Americas made the most news at the show, starting with the establishment of a Production Printing Business Group (PPBG) focused on the high-volume production printing market. InfoPrint Solutions is now part of the group, although it will continue to have its own identity for the time being.

In a bit of showmanship, the company previewed its “Ricoh Future Color” (RFC) technology in a corner of its booth that was shrouded by a red curtain. Select customers were allowed to peak inside at the cut-sheet device said to be positioned between Ricoh’s current light production systems and the high-end solutions it can now offer. This includes the InfoPrint 5000 color ink-jet system and the family of Kodak NexPress digital color presses it will resell under a new agreement with Eastman Kodak.

Based on the samples, Ricoh Future Color appears to be an electrophotographic device. The company claims it has the “potential to be a disruptive technology” in terms of price point and performance. Ricoh declined to comment on a timetable for commercialization.

Pitman Co. also signed an agreement to sell the Kodak NexPress line—2100, 2100 Plus, 2500 and new S3000—to its customer in the United States. The graphic arts dealer is also offering the Kodak Digimaster line of black-and-white production systems.

Speed is the main advance in the NexPress S3000, which produces 100 ppm. The rest of its technical specs are similar to the other models, including the option of a fifth color or glossing unit. Only the 2500 and S3000 can be configured with a roll feeder.

Over at the InfoPrint Solutions (formerly IBM’s printer business) booth, the new name was the only major change. The company continues to develop its offerings around the aforementioned InfoPrint 5000 color printer, InfoPrint 4100 monochrome line and AFP Color. It introduced an AFP Controller for the 5000 and launched the InfoPrint BookFlow software solution for print-on-demand book production on the 4100.

Lasermax Roll Systems had its new RSF5 folder and Web Vision inspection system operating in-line with the InfoPrint 5000 to produce a fanfolded transpromo application. The folder is a component of the RS Fanfold HS system that automatically loads pinless or pinfed paper and runs at up to 700 fpm.

Kodak is targeting data centers (transpromo), as well as commercial printers, with its new rollfed Kodak Versamark VT3250, VT3350 and VT3400 ink-jet printers that do monochrome printing at 512 to 1,026 ipm. Color options, up to four-over-one printing, are available.

With the introduction of the ComColor Express RIP, RISO Inc. sees transpromo applications being a fit for its HC5500 ink-jet printer that outputs “communications color” pages. The RIP adds PPML compatibility and faster processing.

Making a Statement

Transactional printing, along with book production and point-of-purchase, was among the applications highlighted by Xeikon, a Punch Graphix brand, in its booth. Its primary display, though, was a Xeikon 6000 color press with in-line finishing and two-sided UV coater producing direct mail postcards.

Xerox introduced copier/printer and enterprise printing system versions of the new entry-level 4112 and 4127 black-and-white devices that output 110 ppm and 125 ppm, respectively, at 2,400 dpi. The four models are being positioned as light production solutions for brochures, course packs, marketing materials and transactional statements.

Fujifilm also had a range of Xerox color production systems running in its booth. The companies have now extended their business relationship to allow Fujifilm to directly sell the iGen3 digital press.

In a bid to lower the barriers to market entry, xpedx announced the addition of a variable data component to its “pay-per-click” program that enables printers to install a production level digital press (usually a Xerox product) and only pay for each piece produced. The program now includes variable data software and related training.

After hours, the 2007 Printing Innovation with Xerox Imaging (PIXI) awards showcased the power of digital printing. Keiger Printing, Winston-Salem, NC, beat out more than 500 entries to take the “Best of Show” honors with a samples and idea book it produced to show off the flexibility of its iGen3 press. Almost all of the top awards in the applications categories went to foreign printers.

HP continued its roll out Print 2.0, a business strategy that puts the focus on pages (rather than printing devices), is Web centric, and recognizes that consumers are taking charge of what gets printed and how. Despite already having a number of American installs, the HP Indigo press 5500 was shown in the U.S. for the first time at Graph Expo. Also previously announced, but now exhibited locally, were the entry-level HP Indigo press 3500 and the near-line UV flood coater.

New at the show was version 2.0 of the HP Indigo Commercial Job Estimator/Business Planner for comparing digital versus offset job costs. It suports spot colors and comparing multiple presses.

MGI USA also featured a solution for UV coating, but its unit is positioned for use in offset, as well as digital printing environments. UVarnish is an off-line unit with integrated infrared dryer that can apply coatings to paper and plastic substrates in an ozone-free, pushbutton process. The company reportedly is exploring additional channels for selling the coater, along with offering it as a companion to its own Meteor DP40 Pro color press that prints on paper and plastic.

Taking Their Best Shot

The big news from Canon U.S.A. in the page printing segment was commercial sales of the imagePRESS C7000VP digital color press that is rated for 70 ppm. The Mail House, in Elk Grove Village, IL, signed on to install one of the first systems.

Over at the Heidelberg booth, meanwhile, the company was demonstrating how its new Digital Print Manager and Prinect PrintReady could be used to drive the Canon device in a unified offset and digital printing workflow.

Nipson built on the existing capabilities of its VaryPress print engine by introducing the VaryPress Spot Color System (SCS), which uses a drop-on-demand ink-jet array to add from one to four spot colors at prints speeds to 500 fpm.

EFI Fiery front ends could be found in many of the above booths driving various printing devices. The company also demonstrated its Fiery Central PDF-based workflow solution.

Having been founded in 1987, Presstek celebrated 20 years of innovation—including DI (direct imaging) presses—at Graph Expo 2007. The company touted adoption of its current generation digital offset presses (Presstek 52DI and 34DI) by the mail industry.

In a follow-up release, Presstek announced it had taken orders for 16 DI presses during the show. Among them was a Presstek 52DI purchased by Home Mountain Printing in Valparaiso, IN.

Under yet another deal, Hamada Printing Press is now selling the Screen (USA) Truepress 344 digital offset press through its U.S. and Canadian dealer network. The machine has a maximum 13.4x18.5˝ sheet size and prints at 7,000 sph.

It’s probably understating things to say that digital printing of pages had a bumpy road to acceptance as a mainstream process. Is that an indication of the outlook for adoption of wide-format digital printing by commercial printers? Possibly, but the technology has already been touted as an opportunity for years and there are other established players—sign shops, photo labs, etc.—that can vie to own the market in this case.

Graph Expo did again feature a sizable Wide Format Pavilion dedicated to the product category and devices also were on display in a number of other exhibitor booths. EFI, for one, presented a fashion show of clothing made from fabrics printed on a VUTEk ink-jet device that may have signaled the imagination required to succeed in this market. Targeted specifically to production environments, Canon’s new imagePROGRAF S-series large-format ink-jet printers reportedly provide up to a 40 percent production increase over its existing standard models. The imagePROGRAF iPF9000S (60˝) and iPF8000S (44˝) can render a 32.5x40.6˝print in 4.9 minutes in Standard Mode on glossy photo paper. They also feature an ink sub tank unit that enables operators to replace empty ink tanks on the fly without interrupting the printing process.

Epson America launched a new MicroPiezo TFP (thin film piezo) ink-jet print head technology that it says provides increased ink droplet placement accuracy and produces variable-sized droplets as small as 3.5 picoliters to optimize print quality at resolutions up to 2,800x1,440 dpi. It also features the ability to use nine separate ink channels simultaneously and an ink-repelling coating on the nozzles to reduce clogging.

The head is being introduced on the 64˝ Epson Stylus Pro 11880 printer, but other models are expected to be introduced. For now, the Epson Stylus Pro 4880 (17˝), 7880 (24˝) and 9880 (44˝) are being introduced as replacement models with a new MicroPiezo AMC (active meniscus control) ink-jet print head, enhanced version of UltraChrome K3 ink and new AccuPhoto HS screening. The AMC head provides greater droplet placement accuracy and also features the ink-repelling coating.

HP’s Designjet Z6100 ink-jet printer had its first major showing at a U.S. graphic arts exhibition. Available in 42˝ and 60˝ models, the printer is an eight-color, thermal ink-jet unit that uses HP Vivera pigment inks to support indoor and short-term outdoor applications. An embedded spectrophotometer and optical media sensor maintain image quality at the device’s higher maximum print speed—720 sq.ft./hr. on coated paper.

Teaming up with Inca Digital as a distributor, Fujifilm demonstrated the new Inca Spyder 320 Q Fine Quality UV ink-jet printer and showed a video presentation of the Inca Onset flatbed machine. The Q model features a new printhead that prints with a 10 picoleter drop size at speeds up to 400 sq.ft./hr. Onset is a very large unit designed for speed, capable of outputting more than 100, 5x10 ft. sheets per hour.

Fujifilm also introduced the Acuity HD 2504 UV flatbed ink-jet printer. The six-color machine prints a variable dot size, from 6 to 30 picoliters, and employs a zoned vacuum table to hold a wide range of materials. It prints at speeds up to 174 sq.ft./hr.

Xerox offered a technology demonstration of its 8200 series wide-format printer designed for commercial printers and in-plant operations. The line, expected to be launched in early 2008, will include 65˝ and 90˝ models that print at speeds from 162 to 215 sq.ft./hr. depending on resolution.

Making its debut at the show was Gandinnovations’ Jeti 3148 UV flatbed ink-jet printer featuring 48 Spectra printheads and a 5x10 ft. printing area. It can achieve printing speeds of 500 sq.ft./hr. in production mode and has a table with a three-zone vacuum system that handles rigid material up to 2˝ in thickness.

The Océ CS9060 eco-solvent ink-jet printer accepts roll media up to 64˝ wide and can print on a variety of paper, vinyl, textile and film media for creating indoor and outdoor displays. It supports resolutions from 720x720 dpi up to 1,440x1,440 dpi and outputs up to 166 sq.ft./hr. at the lower resolution. PI