by Cassandra Balentine
Part 2 of 2
Grand or superwide format printers, which are over 95 inches in width, are equipped for a range of applications. Part one of this web-exclusive series investigates considerations for grand format printers in wallpaper production.
Here we highlight a few products that fit the bill.
Agfa
Agfa manufactures several categories of UV-curable inkjet presses and that are a perfect fit for wallpaper applications, says Bill Brouhle, digital print, solutions architect, Agfa.
In addition to the Oberon RTR3300 LED press, Agfa offers the Anapurna H3200i LED hybrid press, which is a ten-foot production engine that adds more versatility and expands application range. It produces top-quality prints on uncoated, rigid media, such as corrugated boards, rigid plastics, exhibition panels, stage graphics, and advertising panels, as well as on roll media such as film, vinyl and paper, banners, canvas, coated textiles, and wallcoverings and wallpapers.
Both the ten-foot models of the Agfa Anapurna and the Oberon offer the option to print on dual rolls as well as single roll applications to help maximize productivity.
The Agfa Jeti line of printers takes productivity to the highest level. Agfa offers both the Tauro H2500 LED and Tauro H3300 LED. Suited for a variety of rigid and flexible substrates up to 130 inches wide, these all-in-one hybrid workhorses offer countless options to create eye-catching, large format prints at up to 6,458 square feet per hour (sf/h)
The Jeti Tauro LED printers offer master roll-to-roll options, which are ideal for long-run roll-to-roll jobs, but can also be used for roll-to-sheet—enabling fast throughput and hardly any material waste. This master roll-to-roll option enables customers to print single or dual rolls of wallpaper with an outer diameter of almost up to 24 inches.
“That is what reduces the time during the day that the press needs to be shut down to unload and re-load the press. It means maximum productivity for our customers. These master rolls can weigh up to 1,500 lbs. Changing from single- to dual-roll printing and vice versa is fast, as is undocking the master roll-to-roll system in order to switch to board or sheet printing,” offers Brouhle.
FUJIFILM North America Corporation
As far as high productivity is concerned, Becky McConnell, segment marketing manager – wide format inkjet, FUJIFILM North America Corporation – Graphic Systems Division, says the Fujifilm Acuity Ultra series of UV/UV LED superwide roll-to-roll printers are available in 3.2- and five-meter widths with maximum print speeds up to over 4,300 sf/h. With a 3.5 picoliter drop size, the print quality provides above and beyond what is expected for close viewing like wallpaper and wallcoverings.
“Multi-roll printing, which is offered as standard with the series, enables the production of multiple 63 inch rolls so massive amounts of work can be turned around quickly,” says McConnell.
There are color configuration options, along with printer size selections, and models in the Acuity Ultra series that offer UV-LED curing as standard. Its highest productivity models offer standard UV curing as standard.
The Fujifilm Acuity Ultra series features the option of two ink sets, depending on the curing method. Both ink sets offer a wide color gamut and great performance on flexible materials, and both carry UL GREENGUARD Gold certification, further expanding application potential.
swissQprint
Jason DeLuca, application specialist, swissQprint, believes that any one of swissQprint’s grand format printers could handle wallpapers. However, he feels the ideal machine would be the Karibu, a dedicated roll-to-roll printer.
This printer uses swissQprint’s FR1 ink, which is very flexible. “I believe this would be the best setup as the dual roll option on this machine is a true dual roll, using separate motors for each shaft to allow for much better control over each media.”
He says the machine is easy to operate on a daily basis because of features like the cassette system, which makes loading rolls especially quick and easy.
Another feature that makes the Karibu ideal for this application is its ability to run textured effects on the media. Additional options include the possibility to print a varnish overlay that completely changes the finish of the printed piece from matte to high gloss and everything in between.
Winning Walls
Grand format printers are well suited for wallpaper production, provided they are configured properly and utilize inks that meet interior regulations. Finishing considerations are also essential along with options like dual roll capacity to further enable productivity gains.
May2022, Digital Output
