By Olivia Cahoon
Part 2 of 2
Grand format printers give print service providers (PSPs) the ability to offer superwide graphics without seams and at high speeds. Customizable features like roll media options, depth perception hardware, and UV curing lamps are available. Digital Output considers anything over 95 inches in width to be grand format.
Available Grand Format Printers
The Agfa hybrid Jeti Tauro H2500 LED uses UV LED curing technology to offer six colors and speeds up to 275 square meters per hour. With the ability to print up to 2.54 meters wide, the Jeti Tauro H2500 comes standard with a built-in roll-to-roll (R2R) for occasional single-roll printing. The master R2R option is ideal for long R2R jobs. Powered by Asanti workflow technology, this device integrates with cloud service for data exchange PrintSphere and optimized to work with Agfa’s high-pigmented UV inks.
Released in February 2019, the Canon Solutions America Arizona 1300 Series is a UV flatbed printer that features a 98.4-inch maximum print width and reaches speeds up to 548 square feet per hour (sf/h). This device offers the ability to print texture with Canon’s patented Touchstone software. The Arizona 1300 Series offers a 4×8- or 8×10-foot stationary table design, roll media option that supports up to 86-inch wide roll media, automated printhead maintenance, and UL GREENGUARD Gold certified inks.
The Durst P5 350 hybrid press was released in 2019. It offers an 11.5-foot maximum print width and speeds up to 3,850 sf/h. The P5 350 delivers up to 1,200 dpi print quality, multitrack six board printing option, multi roll and dual options, and media width and thickness detection control. The press is also equipped with LED technology, safe ink refill ID system, foldable roll tables, Durst Print Workflow software, and the monitoring tool Durst Analytics.
EFI offers the VUTEk LX3 Pro LED hybrid roll and flatbed printer with eight-colors and a print width of 126 inches or multi-roll capability of two 60-inch simultaneous rolls. The device prints resolutions up to 1,200 dpi with productivity up to 74 boards per hour. High-velocity UltraDrop Technology seven picoliter grayscale printheads deliver precision dot placement and consistency.
Released in May 2019, the Mimaki USA, Inc. JFX200-2513 EX is a UV LED flatbed printer with improved production capacity. It offers the ability to print up to 98.4-inches wide with speeds up to 343 sf/h. PSPs can print one 4×8-inch board for a variety of pre-cut pieces or print up to 12 4×8-foot boards per hour. Three staggered printheads offer simultaneous printing when using white and clear inks. The JFX200-2513 EX also includes RasterLink6 Plus software that supports 2.5D printing to create realistic textured effects.
StratoJet USA recently launched its new line of grand format printers. The Falcon XL-3300 was released in October 2019 with a maximum print width of 131 inches. It offers print speeds from 300 to 1,000 sf/h with no pinch roller. The device uses Advanced Grip Technology, two media feeders, a take up system, and it has the ability to run two to four rolls at the same time. The Falcon XL-3300 utilizes new Gel LED lamps to provide more heat when curing tough materials. It allows users to choose from 12 colors and also comes with StratoJet’s patented white parking system to maintain white printhead and ink waste.
Prepare for Greatness
Grand format printers allow PSPs to offer superwide graphics at fast speeds and competitive prices. Print shops should consider a grand format printer that grows with the business. Before investing, it’s also essential to have a plan regarding installation and delivery.
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, Preparing for Greatness.
May2020, Digital Output
