By Melissa Donovan
Wide format, highly productive flatbeds are favored in production print shops to output anything from point of purchase (POP) standee displays to backlit signage and even braille signage. The success of a device is it’s ability to offer the perfect balance between speed and accuracy.
Speed is a progressive topic, which we cover in the June issue of Digital Output. Many vendors recently announced speed enhancements to their product lines. Some of these reach speeds of over 3,000 square per hour (sf/h).
Learn more about these models below.
Product Roundup
Canon U.S.A., Inc. recently introduced the Canon Arizona 2300 FLXflow and the Digitech Texas LTX2. Canon’s Arizona 2300 has a maximum print speed of over 1,000 sf/h and uses FLXflow technology to significantly reduce the need for masking. The Digitech Texas LTX2 has a maximum print speed of 4,500 sf/h and features integrated automatic board unloading.
Epson offers the SureColor V7000 for production print shops. It delivers bright, colorful, tactile prints with low graininess and smooth gradation. The 4×8-foot printer brings a new level of image quality, productivity, and convenience. It touts eight Epson MicroPiezo printheads coupled with ten-color UltraChrome UV ink, including red ink, gray, opaque white ink, and varnish to deliver one-layer (color only) or three-layer (color/white/varnish) prints with little difference in production speeds, ranging from 165 to 250 sf/h. Capable of printing on a variety of rigid substrates up to 3.14 inches thick, the SureColor V7000 is a flexible, reliable, entry-level flatbed solution.
Fluid Color has several new printers and advancements. The RF84 Flatbed now comes in a triple row configuration that can print up to 1,422 sf/h by using Ricoh Gen6 printheads. It also recently launched a triple row Z84F Kyocera flatbed that allows for more printhead configurations and can print 60 boards an hour. A newly announced R84F flatbed features a 20-inch Z-axis print height for printing to larger items and promotional items as well as standard sheet materials.
In 2024, Mimaki USA, Inc. introduced two new UV LED flatbed printers. The Mimaki JFX600-2531 large format printer features a larger bed size to increase production or accommodate oversized sheets with a total printable area of up to 98.4×122 inches, or two 4×8-foot boards. An exclusive Mimaki Toggle Print Function with two origin points gives operators the ability to position up to two 4×8-foot boards, multiple jigs, or smaller pre-cut pieces onto the table with the ability to rotate the origin point for true continuous printing of two different print jobs. It can also create oversized graphics without the need to seam rigid materials. This capability accommodates a 5×10-foot board and lends itself well to in-store applications such as POP/point of sale displays, standees, backlits, indoor and outdoor signage, and promotional campaigns.
The Mimaki JFX200-1213 EX medium format UV LED flatbed printer is designed for low- to medium-volume production and small sign print providers. Its compact footprint is suitable for in-house print shops, such as those in hospitals and universities, that lack space for a full-size flatbed printer. Additionally, it caters to print service providers specializing in higher volume braille and ADA signage. With a 4×4-foot bed size, it can print up to four 18×24-inch signs simultaneously and can be fitted with a jig for on demand customization. Based on the proven JFX Series platform, the JFX200-1213 EX UV LED printer offers large format production capabilities in a smaller footprint.
Mutoh America, Inc.’s latest flatbed model, the XPJ 1462UF, offers print speeds of up to 83.4 sf/h. Also available, the Mutoh PerformanceJet 2508UF 4×8-foot UV LED flatbed printer, which excels in performance, quality, and value.
Last year, Roland DGA Corporation launched several UV devices to meet customer demand—the VersaOBJECT CO-i Series UV flatbed printers, the EU-1000MF high-volume UV flatbed, and the VersaOBJECT MO-240 benchtop flatbed. The CO-i Series offers models with a full 9.5 inches of carriage clearance as well as two different bed sizes (32×82 and 67×122 inches), allowing users to print directly on a vast array of substrates and three-dimensional objects, including taller items. It also offers Rotary Rack XL and XXL attachments that fit inside these printers. The larger EU-1000MF high-volume UV flatbed is ideal for production sign printers, with its ability to print vibrant, detailed graphics, and special effects on 4×8-foot boards with amazing speed.
StratoJet USA’s Shark 3216 10×5-foot printer is suited for graphics applications looking for high-quality output up to 2,400 dpi. The printer can reach speeds of 1,352 sf/h depending on the configuration of the printheads.
swissQprint’s new flatbed platform includes the Kudu, Nyala 5, and Impala 5. These printers offer up to 3,670 sf/h print speed; ten freely configurable color channels (including neon inks); 1,350 dpi resolution; modular expandability, such as roll-to-roll and oversized board options; and haptic printing for added texture. All models are Swiss-made, ensuring longevity and reliability.
The Vanguard Digital Printing Systems VK3220T-HS is engineered for high-production environments, offering a balance of speed, precision, and versatility. It is equipped with Kyocera KJ4A printheads with variable drop technology, ensuring vibrant colors and sharp details while optimizing ink efficiency and print speed. It reaches speeds of up to 3,875 sf/h in express mode.
Jun2025, Digital Output
