By Melissa Donovan
Roll-to-roll (R2R) printers function to further efficiency in print shops. Print service providers (PSPs) positively respond to efficiency features because of how pivotal they are in making their print shops productive.
“Efficiency holds significant appeal for PSPs utilizing R2R printers for various compelling reasons. Firstly, enhanced efficiency often equates to cost savings, as quick changeovers, reduced downtime, and streamlined workflows lead to higher productivity with fewer resources resulting in lower operational costs and increased profit margins. Moreover, efficient R2R printers can handle higher printing speeds and larger work volumes, allowing PSPs to take on more projects, meet tight deadlines, and serve a broader customer base without compromising quality,” explains Sohil Singh, president, StratoJet.
The March issue of Digital Output includes a feature story on R2R printers and ways they offer efficiency. Here, we include information on various roll devices available in the wide format segment.
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
The Colorado M-series printer offers several types of benefits to PSPs. The modular design of the M-series allows shops to add features and functionality to the printer without having to purchase a new device. The media handling system does not require an operator to secure most media to the take-up winder to begin printing, which provides media efficiency and cost savings. The printer also has a dual roll drawer that reduces the need to load media and makes roll loading efficient.
In terms of energy consumption, the Colorado is designed to be environmentally friendly with a low-heat, energy-efficient LED curing system and instant-on operation. In terms of ink usage, the non-evaporative UVgel inks typically require less ink usage compared to competitive technologies. The printer also has an advanced highly automated new maintenance system that reduces labor costs with automated roll feeding.
In terms of time savings, the high durability of the inks means that you can print without lamination. The printer inks can be refilled on-the-fly providing production efficiency. All inks including white operate the same in the printer without having to shake containers or remove printheads for cleaning, which reduces labor while increasing productivity.
Durst Image Technology US, LLC
Durst developed a multi-roll system with the P5 series, which allows pre-loading the next roll and reducing changeover time. Mesh kits are also popular and engineered to quickly set up on the printer.
EFI
The EFI VUTEk Q3r R2R LED printer provides a complete print-to-finished graphic workflow, from RIP to finished product on the same platform. This 3.5-meter R2R solution prints at up to 6,006 square feet per hour and features true resolution up to 1,200 dpi with white and clear ink printing together. The clear ink, EFI’s UltraClear Coat, is a versatile spot or full clear coat ink used for decorative, high-quality effects on prints or as a final coating helps protect graphics against abrasion, chemicals, and fading. UltraClear Coat prints inline, simultaneously with the image—without slowing down production speeds in certain printer models—in gloss or matte finishes.
Epson
The Epson SureColor S80600L 64-inch R2R solvent printer leverages advanced imaging technologies to provide unparalleled levels of productivity and image quality, plus improved reliability. Featuring a dual-array PrecisionCore TFP printhead and nine-color UltraChrome GSS3 inks—including red ink and an optional white or metallic silver—it produces vivid output with an expansive color gamut capable of reaching 98.2 percent of the Pantone color guide that is ready for same-day lamination. It touts a bulk ink pack system and provides double the ink capacity of previous generations for a low ink cost per milliliter and minimized waste when compared to Epson cartridge systems.
The Epson SureColor R5070L 64-inch R2R resin printer leverages multi-purpose resin ink technology to consistently produce professional quality wallpapers, fabrics, vinyl, uncoated papers and more with consistent, repeatable color. Touting 2.6-inch user replaceable PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads coupled with Epson UltraChrome RS Resin ink technology, it produces high-quality scratch resistant output, ready for immediate lamination. It includes 3L of ink per color and a hot-swappable ink system that automatically switches from an empty ink pack to a new ink pack mid-print for uninterrupted printing and consistent color job-to-job and panel-to-panel for repeat jobs, wall tiling applications, large banners, and wall displays.
Fluid Color
Fluid Color offers tones of different color configurations to make the printer work for the customer’s needs. The printers are also field upgradeable so that they can grow with your business as you need to add speed or colors. A take-up reel and feed reel are quickly changeable and on the wider options, you can add multiple rolls of the same material to print several different jobs at once and maximize the printer’s width. The company recommends Caldera and ONYX for RIP software, which also has software automation in them to increase speeds.
Mimaki USA, Inc.
The UJV100-160Plus UV LED roll-based printer is an entry-level model for sustainable sign and graphics production, with low running costs, versatile output capability, and easy printing for everyone. With a maximum power consumption of 0.5kW, the UJV100-160Plus consumes less than half of the power of eco-solvent and latex printers on the market, helping PSPs reduce power costs and CO2 emissions. It also includes an ink-saving feature to reduce running costs, a multi-layer printing function to expand the application range, and can be seamlessly integrated with Mimaki’s cutting plotters to improve workflow.
The new UCJV330 Series of roll-based, print-and-cut devices significantly improves productivity and image quality for both indoor and outdoor applications. Newly developed ink ejection technology reduces color irregularities in high-density areas, even in high-speed output mode enabling print service providers to create sellable quality prints in faster print modes than its predecessor. Additional ink layering options and the ability to produce 2.5D images expand application possibilities. Support for five-layer printing provides the ability to produce double-sided window graphics with different text on the outside and inside. On-board print-and-cut capability enables high-volume production of labels, decals, window clings, floor graphics, point of purchase displays, vehicle wraps, and packaging.
Both of these products benefit from PICT, a cloud-based printer status monitoring tool, available online for customers using Mimaki printer products. PICT helps customers improve the efficiency of their printing operations and production management by enabling them to visualize the operational status and performance of Mimaki printers from a PC or mobile device, even from a remote location. The printer operation and ink usage results can be useful for maintenance planning, ink inventory management, and production load balancing.
Mutoh America, Inc.
The MUTOH XpertJet Pro Series of printers offers the latest in printing efficiency with 1L bulk ink bags, automatic bi-directional and page-feed adjustments, included software (VerteLith) with hyper-efficient ICC profiles, and an advanced nozzle dropout sensor for minimal downtime.
Ricoh USA
In addition to the RICOH Pro L5160e, available in four-, five-, or six-color configurations for extended gamut, Ricoh draws upon a portfolio of industry leading R2R systems across multiple ink technologies to ensure customers have the right solutions for their applications, maximizing productivity and efficiency.
Roland DGA Corporation
TrueVIS VG3 Series Eco-Solvent Printer/Cutters (VG3-640, VG3-540) offer increased efficiency/productivity through user-enhancing features such as a seven-inch LCD touch-panel control, auto-calibration, and other intuitive, automated tools. Enhanced Media Handling provides more stability, increased accuracy, easier user set-up, and less media skewing during production. Automatic Media Gap Adjustment offers media gap and feed compensation can be adjusted automatically with a single button.
TrueVIS LG Series UV Printer/Cutters (LG-640, LG-540, LG-300) feature high-density white ink with high-speed printing—newly designed printheads are in a staggered formation with new UV LED lamps. It integrates a take-up unit with adjustable end cap for varying media tube lengths and quick-loading, one-touch media holder.
TrueVIS AP-640 Resin/Latex Printer offers dual, staggered printheads with variable dot printing and True Rich Color presets offer natural, vibrant print results with high color saturation. The latest TrueVIS media feed and take-up systems ensure stable, accurate printing over long print runs.
StratoJet
The StratoJet Falcon XL features a dual light box system where there are two backlit boxes, one helps keep check on print banding and the other to keep a check on print colors and quality. StratoJet Falcon XL also offers two media feed rollers and take-up system to reduce the roll changing time with same media or transitioning between two different kinds of rolls. Along with these features, StratoJet Falcon XL offers upgradability options like mesh kit to allow printing mesh without liners.
The StratoJet Hawk CleanPrint offers an efficient and sustainable ink system referred to as clean ink. Clean ink comes with non-volatile organic compound ink system that leaves no fumes and does not require any degassing. This offers not just more flexibility with UV inks but also this ink gives three years of outdoor durability without lamination and up to five years with lamination. One key motive that StratoJet has worked on with its new range of printers is simplicity. Each R2R printer has been carefully designed to ensure more efficiency and ease of production.
swissQprint
Karibu 2 is designed for high productivity and versatility for printers seeking precision quality and longevity. Features such as Tip Switch, Mesh Kit, Light Box, Dual Roll, Two-Sided printing with camera recognition, cassette design for simple loading, rulers for alignment throughout the printer, nine color channels configurable to customer needs, anti-static bars, and precision ink scales, all lead to high customer satisfaction and a very happy user base.
Efficiency in Printing
To meet tight deadlines, take on more work, and print productively at high quality, PSPs look for roll printers to deliver on efficiency.
Mar2024, Digital Output
