IDEAlliance Releases Results of Wide/Grand Format Inkjet System Study
ALEXANDRIA, VA—December 9, 2013—The IDEAlliance Inkjet RoundUP is an independent third-party technical evaluation of leading commercial roll-to-roll and flatbed, wide- and grand-format inkjet printing systems for the display graphics, signage and POP industries. The IDEAlliance Inkjet RoundUP explored the state-of-the-art as it relates to wide-format signage printing. Eleven suppliers submitted 24 system configurations for evaluation. The results of this report offers existing users and prospective buyers critical business intelligence about the world’s leading wide-format inkjet systems.
This report does not make recommendations on individual proprietary systems, but provides independent, un-biased, sound technical data on system performance and capabilities. IDEAlliance recommends the report be used to evaluate systems’ relevance to specific business requirements and priorities.
Systems were submitted by:
- Agfa Graphics
- CGS
- Durst US
- Electronics for Imaging (EFI)
- Epson America
- Fujifilm
- Hewlett Packard
- Mimaki USA
- Mutoh America
- Océ Display Graphics Systems
- Seiko Instruments USA
Systems were evaluated in:
- Color Gamut
- Color Management
- Uniformity
- Repeatability
- Registration
- Ink consumption
- Print Speed
- Rub Resistance
- Weathering
- System Price
Steve Bonoff, IDEAlliance's executive vice president, commented, "IDEAlliance is proud to take a leadership role in the industry, serving as an independent resource for proven best practices and technology reviews. Evaluations of this type improves technologies, advances the industry, and grows opportunities for our members."
Director Dr. Abhay Sharma of Ryerson University, also added: "The study indicates there are some exciting products on the market with good color, good speed and good image qualities, such as permanence and weatherability. The ability of color management systems to control color and achieve target values is exceptional, with many dedicated RIP systems providing workflows to achieve accurate color and also verify that color to a print standard or in-house specification."
Devices studied used light or eco solvent inks, UV-curable inks or latex ink. Media used ranges from card stock to cast or calendared vinyl to rigid media including Coroplast. Viewing distances for these products range from POP to greater distances for street signs, banners and billboards. Testing was conducted under the direction of Lyndee Sing and Dr. Xiaoying Rong of California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly).
The first 200 copies of the results report are bound with actual test sheets submitted for evaluation. The report is available for purchase at www.idealliance.org/products/inkjet-roundup-results-report or by calling (703) 837-1070.
About IDEAlliance
IDEAlliance (International Digital Enterprise Alliance) is a global community of content and media creators, and their service providers, material suppliers, and technology partners. The Association identifies best practices for efficient end-to-end digital media workflows—from content creation through delivery. Through its active committees, educational conferences, Webinars, training and certification programs, IDEAlliance provides its members the forum for the exchange of information that results in the creation of the media production industry's most valued standards.
Source: IDEAlliance.
