Massivit 3D has announced that Academy Award®-winning design studio and manufacturing facility, Weta Workshop, has installed a Massivit 1800 3D Printing Solution at its Wellington, New Zealand-based premises. 

The company is recognised for its work on blockbuster films such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit motion picture trilogies, Avatar, King Kong, Ghost in the Shell, and Blade Runner 2049. The installation of this Massivit 1800 was made possible by Massivit 3D’s local Australian and New Zealand distributor, Stick on Signs.
 
Richard Taylor, Weta Workshop Co-founder, CEO and Creative Director, says, “We manufacture super-sized, hyper-realistic human figures, creatures, vehicles, and other huge props for film and television and have always been on the search for technology that can produce large parts at a high speed.

“For 15 years, we have dreamed of a day when a printer would provide super large scale, speed, and build strength at low print costs, in equal measure. The Massivit 1800 has delivered this for us.” 

Taylor adds, “With the Massivit 1800, our team has been able to redefine what is creatively possible for our large-scale manufacturing projects. It is a powerful and versatile machine that has transformed the way we work and has supercharged our output. It really is a dream come true.”

According to Pietro Marson, Workshop Operations Analyst at Weta Workshop, the company’s manufacturing teams have until now deployed a range of technologies for their fabrication processes, including CNC routers, industrial robots, and smaller 3D printers. Many of these technologies have presented limitations when it comes to manufacturing bigger props. 

“We’re often required to create 8- or 9-meter-tall (26.2 or 29.5-foot) sculptures and mannequins, which means we need to print multiple parts and then manually fit them together,” he explains. “Needless to say, this is both time-consuming and expensive. 

“The largest commercially available SLA 3D printer in the country has a maximum print volume of 60 x 60 x 40 centimeters, whereas the Massivit 1800 allows us to print up to 1.8-meter-high [5.9-foot] components,” he continues. “We can also print much more quickly and with far greater geometry freedom than with CNC machining.” 

Weta Workshop expects to be able to save thousands of dollars by printing larger components. The Massivit 1800’s print volume has proven particularly useful for one of the company’s latest projects which requires the production of large-scale molds. Producing these molds with CNC technology would have been challenging due to their size and the inability of CNC routers to create complex, deep intrusions.

“The Massivit 1800 has surpassed our expectations insofar as the added capabilities and extra efficiency it delivers our operations,” says Richard Taylor. “Since its installation, it has stimulated a lot of creative thought and our teams are buzzing with what we will be able to achieve with it moving forward,” he concludes.

Classic metal effect films by ASLAN

ASLAN, the German developer and manufacturer, renowned as a specialist in self-adhesive films, expands its portfolio of special effect films with the introduction of the MetalLux ASLAN SE 50 in Champagne and Platinum. These classic shades impress by their elegant appearance, are both trendy and timeless at the same time.

When applied to a smooth, compatible surface the silky matt shades come into full effect. While Champagne creates a warm ambience, Platinum brings a touch of cool elegance to every single interior space. These self-adhesive films can be used to cover complete surfaces or plotter cut to produce spectacular highlights to any graphic design or logo.

Due to their 50 μm thickness, both Champagne and Platinum are particularly easy to handle and to apply. ASLAN recommends a dry application but wet application is possible as well – as this reduces static charges and makes repositioning even easier. It is important to press the water out completely and carefully with the use of a squeegee. Any slight visible marks that may appear while using a squeegee, are easily removed with a microfiber cloth.

Both Champagne and Platinum are perfectly suited for shop fitting, exhibition stand design, visual merchandising and interior design. These self-adhesive metal effect films are specifically designed for the decoration of smooth surfaces. This makes them ideal for application to flat areas on furniture, ceilings and walls – whether applied to large areas for a complete surface design, or as an individually set highlight. Surfaces should always be cleaned thoroughly, to achieve that trendy and yet timeless classic effect.

MetalLux ASLAN SE 50 Champagne and Platinum have an outdoor durability of 2 years and are available in the dimensions 25 m x 1.25 m.

EFI introduces Reggiani BOLT 8000 sq.m hour textile printer

The brand-new, next-generation, single-pass EFI Reggiani BOLT textile digital printer from Electronics For Imaging, Inc. made its debut this week during an open house event at the EFI Reggiani facility in Bergamo, Italy.

The advanced, ultra-high-speed digital single-pass printer has the potential to revolutionise the textile printing market, providing users with high uptime and reliability, outstanding performance, superior printing uniformity and accuracy, long printhead life and minimal maintenance needs. The EFI Reggiani open house has created huge interest in global textile market opportunities, with nearly 300 customers and journalists attending to see the new BOLT in action.

"The innovative development of our new single-pass printer comes from Reggiani's speed of innovation in digital textile printing, its 70 years of history, and our proprietary knowledge of high-volume analogue rotary printing," said EFI Reggiani Vice President and General Manager Adele Genoni. "Our EFI colleagues' proven, worldwide expertise in single-pass technology and, most importantly, EFI Reggiani's serious commitment to listening to and addressing our textile customers' needs, have allowed us to achieve incredible results with our newest print technology. The EFI Reggiani BOLT re-writes the rules of digital textile single-pass printing, delivering superior throughput and quality with a highly competitive return on investment for customers. We are excited to bring this technology to our customers and see their businesses succeed and grow."

Cutting-edge printhead technology and high-performance ink delivery The BOLT offers an innovative, low-maintenance, fast-startup recirculation printhead that delivers better, more-uniform printing with superior uptime. Thanks to its cutting-edge printhead concept and high-performance ink delivery system, the BOLT has throughput speeds of up to 90 metres per minute (more than 8,000 square metres per hour) at a 600 x 600 dots per inch (dpi) resolution. It features high-end greyscale imaging in drop sizes from 5 to 30 picolitres, and also provides premium-quality 600 x 4,800 maximum-dpi resolution printing, allowing customers to address the full range of design needs. The printhead has been developed in partnership with a leading printhead manufacturer, and will be available exclusively for EFI Reggiani.

High-end capabilities, with reduced downtime The EFI Reggiani BOLT meets growing requirements for high-quality, ecologically sustainable digital textile imaging in apparel, décor and other markets. Paired with an EFI Fiery digital front end (DFE) print server offering unique, high-speed processing capabilities on demand, the BOLT printer is a robust, industrial platform designed for 24/7 operation and continuous productivity that drives high-volume throughput while reducing the cost per metre. Additional new features and enhancements on the printer include:

Enhanced maintenance features - The printer's contactless wiping system prolongs printhead life and quality. Plus, the printer comes with an assisted alignment system for its test calibration scan unit, and features extractable printing beams for easier maintenance.

Extended colour gamut and superior image quality - Thanks to EFI expertise in colour management and flexible colour configurations, customers can easily reproduce a wider variety of work, including designs featuring plain colours, geometric patterns, fine lines, deep blacks and smooth gradients.

Proprietary IP combining digital and rotary technologies - One or more analogue printing stations, which may be easily connected as an optional feature, can be integrated into the digital printer for special effects.

Efficient, high-powered EFI Fiery technology

The Reggiani BOLT is a Fiery Driven printer, featuring an EFI Fiery DFE with RIP and colour management technologies running on Fiery XB bladed hardware for maximum performance. Fiery technologies for the printer give textile printing businesses the ability to successfully produce highly challenging jobs with the finest detail, demanding colours, smooth gradients and more. EFI colour scientists developed special algorithms and custom screening for this Fiery system to deliver vivid print results, including high saturation without losing detail, and superior colour even when using the fastest print mode.

Fiery technologies for the new Reggiani BOLT printer also will include a 1-year subscription to EFI Fiery DesignPro, a powerful textile and fashion design suite that runs inside designers' Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Fiery DesignPro reduces the time needed to create colour books, repeats, colourways and prepare files for production to minutes instead of hours. Together, the new Reggiani BOLT single-pass printer and Fiery technologies address key market trends as customers face pressure for faster time-to-market, quick fashion cycles, shorter print runs and more customisation.

EFI Reggiani high-speed innovation in digital printing for textiles The BOLT printer is the newest in an important series of EFI Reggiani innovations. In the last 15 months, the team has developed a totally renewed range of digital scanning printers with cutting-edge technologies, launching a new model every quarter to offer customers solutions to whatever their requirements may be for easily scalable textile printing. The list of EFI Reggiani advancements includes two recent launches - the COLORS digital printer, which provides unparalleled performance with up to 12-colour printing, and the TERRA pigment ink with binder solution featuring in-line polymerisation, a process that speeds up customers' printing with one of the industry's greenest production technologies.

Fujifilm announces faster Jet Press 750S sheet-fed B2 Press

Fujifilm today announces its third generation B2 inkjet press, the Jet Press 750S. With higher productivity of 3,600 B2 sheets per hour, and a range of other changes which further improve the already impressive up-time, versatility, colour capability and quality, the Jet Press 750S is now the fastest, full colour, B2 sheet-fed digital press on the market.

The Jet Press 720S was the first B2 inkjet press to gain a foothold in the market, and was ahead of the game in terms of productivity and quality. With over 150 Jet Press installations worldwide, more and more print buyers have recognised the new standard in digital print that this press delivers. Now with the continued, steady increase in demand for short run work, the introduction of the Jet Press 750S means that more and more jobs are going to fit the sweet spot of this new industry-leading press.

The target for this press is not the toner-dominated, on demand market where runs of ones and twos predominate. The Jet Press 750S is likely to be highly competitive for print runs up to 5,000, depending on ink coverage, allowing it to compete with, and out-perform, offset presses in the production of high quality, short run print jobs. This makes it an ideal investment for a much larger range of commercial and packaging printers.

Like the Jet Press 720S, the new press is the perfect blend of old and new technologies. Built on an offset chassis, it features superb sheet-to-sheet, front and back registration and up-time on a par with offset, combined with the very latest industry-leading Samba inkjet printheads, to deliver print quality that out-performs offset.

Enhanced productivity and up-time

Customers of the Jet Press 720S have already benefited from the highest up-time for a digital press in the industry, with figures above 90% often quoted. The Jet Press 750S is set to improve on this still further thanks to two new features. The first is a new printhead self-cleaning process called ‘Overflow Cleaning’ which carries out head cleaning at times when the press is between jobs or the printhead assembly is in motion. The second is a new Active Head Retraction (AHR) system which lifts the print bars from the drum when a paper deformation is detected (<3mm), reducing the likelihood of paper jams caused by damaged paper.

The increase in top line press speeds has been achieved by the further development of two major parts of the press. The first is the inclusion of the next generation of Samba printheads. Printing on paper moving at the higher speed of 3,600 sheets per hour requires a corresponding speed upgrade to the number of ink droplets deposited per second. The jetting frequency of the new generation Samba printheads has therefore been increased from 25 kHz to 33 kHz to speed up dot placement and counteract the increased effects of possible turbulence. It also has the additional benefit of reducing dot placement variations, therefore improving quality.

The second new technology contributing to increased efficiency and speed is the introduction of a completely new drying system, in which a printed sheet is passed onto a transfer belt heated via rollers, with a vacuum applied as the sheet passes through the drying section to keep it dimensionally stable. Drying is carried out via a combination of the heated belt and hot air applied from above. As well as operating at higher speeds, this new system allows greater control and fine-tuning of temperatures, extending the range of substrates that can be printed.

The combination of a larger sheet size (increased from 750mm x 532mm to 750mm x 585mm), even better up-time, a 33% faster press speed, and quicker finishing mean the overall ability of this new press to print longer runs and improve job turnaround times still further is significant.

Exceptional quality and colour capability

The Jet Press 720S has already built a formidable reputation for exceptional print quality, and here the Jet Press 750S is no different. It features the same Rapid Coagulation Primer technology, allowing it to be used with standard coated and uncoated offset paper stock, benefits from the same superb sheet-to-sheet registration, and the addition of the latest generation of Samba printheads improves dot placement accuracy even further. The Jet Press 750S also features the same extended colour gamut called ‘MaxGamut’ which, depending on the media used, allows up to 90% of the Pantone library of 1,872 colours to be printed within a Delta E of 3 or less, providing an exceptional colour match on a four colour press.

To improve the press’s capability with regards to spot and Pantone colours even further, Fujifilm has added a new module to its XMF ColorPath tool, called XMF ColorPath Brand Color Optimizer. This new module enables users to profile the entire Pantone library for any chosen media type, and will ensure that each and every Pantone colour is printed as accurately as physically possible. What is unique to Brand Color Optimizer, however, is the ability to predict how accurately a Pantone colour will be printed before actually printing. This means decisions about printing a specific job can be made up front, and no time is wasted trying to achieve what is not possible.

Finally, in addition to the In-Line Scanning (ILS) system also found in the Jet Press 720S, the Jet Press 750S incorporates a new optional ImageConfidence scanning system as further reassurance. This uses a proprietary AI algorithm to evaluate the full print area of a B2 sheet on-the-fly, ensuring every sheet matches a pre-approved image.

Perfect for packaging

Currently, around a third of all current European Jet Press customers already produce some form of packaging on the press. With its 33% speed boost and variable data printing at full speed, the new Jet Press 750S is ideally suited to printing versioned and short run packaging to coincide with specific events, localities or store promotions.

The introduction of the Jet Press 750S is likely to accelerate this trend. It can be modified to accommodate heavier weight folding carton stock (up to 0.6mm in thickness), and printed sheets from the press have been tested and found to be compatible with a wide range of analogue and digital coating, foiling, lamination and cutting solutions. An automatic bridge is also available to connect to online coating solutions.

Fujifilm is now also able to offer a food safe ink, making the Jet Press 750S the first B2 digital press approved to print primary food packaging. This new, low migration, aqueous food safe ink complies with stringent regulations, including Swiss Ordinance 817.023.21 and European Commission Regulation 1935/2004, and has been specially formulated for coatings to be applied inline (via a bridge) or near line.

Other features

Remote usability has also been improved on the Jet Press 750S, with users able to carry out job management tasks, including allocating new jobs and certain press functions, remotely via an iPad (additional option).

Finally, the new press, like the Jet Press 720S, features excellent de-inkability of printed sheets, while the new drying system, which requires 23% less power, offers an additional environmental benefit.

Says Taro Aoki, Head of Digital Press Solutions, Fujifilm Graphic Systems EMEA: “In the Jet Press 750S, we have retained and enhanced all of the features that gave the Jet Press 720S such a formidable reputation, to create a new industry benchmark for the production of short run print. With its increased speed and up-time, the press is likely to be competitive for a much larger range of offset jobs, and gain a much larger share of the B2 market. We look forward to helping printers take advantage of all the opportunities that this will present.”

MGI integrates Memjet DuraLink into new AlphaJET B1 inkjet press

MGI Digital Technology has become a global OEM partner of Memjet and will integrate its DuraLink printing technology into AlphaJET, its new B1 inkjet printing and embellishment press for high-volume print and packaging markets.

MGI is a France-based manufacturer of digital printing presses and finishing technology. AlphaJET is said to ‘consolidate the functionality of traditionally separate, disconnected operational workflows such as primer coating, printing and embellishment’. AlphaJET utilizes DuraLink for CMYK color impressions with 1600 dpi resolution. White and clear varnish inks use UV inkjet technology for ‘best-of-breed’ convergence of digital printing methods. This powerful array of high-speed ink deposition processes allows the AlphaJET to both print and embellish corrugated flute board, paper, plastic and synthetic substrates at 1800 B1 sheets an hour.

AlphaJET is claimed as the first 40in-plus sheet-fed press to integrate the DuraLink inkjet printheads, ink and modules. It is also the first 5-color digital printing system to offer decorative special effects such as 2D/3D UV dimensional textures and variable embossed foil, according to MGI.

Michael Abergel, managing director at MGI, said: ‘Memjet has developed superb core technology with the DuraLink architecture and ink modules. In addition, its teamwork and technical support for the AlphaJET product has allowed us to quickly achieve unprecedented functional advancements. The AlphaJET has been designed to introduce a new model of printing, packaging and finishing productivity. For such an important product, we found an ideal business partner in Memjet; it understands the spirit of innovation that drives MGI.’

Memjet general manager Eric Owen added: ‘The launch of the AlphaJET comes at a time when print markets are experiencing a high demand for inline digital printing, embellishment and finishing. To capture that opportunity, MGI chose the modular nature of DuraLink — its extremely fast speeds, 1600 x 1600 resolution and affordable cost — to develop an industry-changing solution. This is a valuable partnership for MGI, Memjet and the print market as a whole.’

Mutoh announces ValueJet 1627MH

Mutoh Europe announces availability of a new member in its popular ValueJet wide format digital printer family, the VJ-1627MH. The ValueJet 1627MH is a 64” (1625 mm) wide hybrid printer featuring a hot air knife media drying system and unique resin-based inks enabling direct printing on both rigid and roll substrates.

Prints are dry when they come off the printer. The ValueJet 1627MH incorporates a high end piezo drop-on-demand print head capable of producing print resolutions up to 720 x 1440 dpi, making it suited for top quality output for short viewing distances.

The ValueJet 1627MH comes with a brand new CMYK + White resin-based ink set called MP-31. All inks come in 500 ml packs. MP stands for “Multi-Purpose”, which refers to the unique capabilities of the inks and their extreme versatility. The inks allow direct printing on white, transparent and coloured rigid substrates, including foam board, cardboard, alu panel; even on acrylic sheets as well as rigid sheets for thermo forming (PVC, PS, PP, APET, PLA). Printing on white, coloured and transparent roll substrates is also possible, including heat sensitive media, shrink film, recyclable non PVC media, etc… Mutoh’s MP-31 series inks have a UV durability up to 2 years outdoors without lamination.

The MP-31 inks are also extremely stretchable & shrinkable, making them equally suited for high stretch applications such as car wrapping as well as thermo/vacuum forming and shrink applications.

Another unique appealing feature of Mutoh’s Multi-Purpose MP-31 inks is that they will preserve the natural texture and look of substrates including for example matte or glossy look.

The new Mutoh ValueJet 1627MH is equally suited for sign & display print shops for the production of both indoor and long term outdoor prints, as well as for graphics companies looking for a digital solution for proofing or short run production of packaging prototypes or customised labels, even for industrial printers specialised in thermo forming.

For rigid printing, the printer can be equipped with foldable rigid print tables. It handles rigid substrates with a thickness of maximum 16 mm and a weight of maximum 15 kg. An optional media alignment system can be mounted to easily align rigid media at the front side, which allows perfect double sided printing. The 1627MH can also be used with customised jigs for printing on all kinds of pre-cut blanks. For roll prints, the five colour 1627MH can be equipped with a 30 kg automated take-up system to roll up finished prints. Switching between rigid and roll setup is fast.

Compared to its predecessor, the ValueJet 1617H, the new VJ-1627MH delivers a performance increase of up to 20 %. In CMYK setup, print speeds up to 12 m² per hour at 720 x 720 dpi are possible. Mutoh also optimised user convenience by improving the user interface, by implementing semi-automated cleaning cycles as well as automated media height measurement, ensuring perfect output thanks to an identical gap between the print head and the substrate, regardless of the substrate thickness. Regular maintenance features have also been improved. The machine is equipped with left and right maintenance covers. The operator can moreover also replace the print head cleaning wiper by himself.

The new ValueJet 1627MH printer is available immediately. The product will be marketed by Mutoh throughout the EMEA territory via Mutoh Authorised Resellers.

Ricky Richards raise funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.

The Ricky tradition continues this year as they give thought to those less fortunate and support the community around them. On December 7 Ricky Richards will once again raise funds to support the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick and help sick kids just like Marguerite pictured below. On this day Ricky will donate a percentage of all sales to the hospital’s greatest area of need.

For 19 years Ricky has worked together with their customers to raise substantial funds which have supported sick children and their families while they are in hospital.

If you would like to read Marguerite’s story go to: www.rickyrichards.com.au/marguerite-story/

And remember if you would like to help raise funds on December 7, call the Ricky Richards sales experts on 02 9735 3333 and place an order.

Rotocontrol appoints agent in Australia and New Zealand

Rotocontrol has signed Maxteq Pty Ltd as local representative in Australia and New Zealand for its suite of finishing machines providing label inspection, slitting, rewinding, diecutting, overprinting, digital and booklet printed labels. The agreement was finalized after Andrew Maxwell, technical director of Maxteq visited the Rotocontrol stand at Labelexpo Americas to evaluate the company's latest in label finishing technology.

"I was impressed with Rotocontrol's live demonstrations on three of their label finishing solutions during Labelexpo Americas," says Maxwell. "Their proven German engineering in highly customized machines, along with a strong backing in manufacturing expertise by their parent company EMT, has proven successful at an international level. There is a strong market here for Rotocontrol in Australia and New Zealand."

Maxteq is an Australian-based print trade house representing international manufacturers of quality printing presses, finishing and print machinery, as well as printing consumables. Their customers range from the small boutique companies to large international corporations. According to Maxteq, it prides itself on being representative and suppliers of the highest quality products, from the smallest chamber seal to full scale printing presses.
  
Featured on Rotocontrol's stand during Labelexpo Americas was the DT-Series 340 for advanced finishing of digitally preprinted label rolls, the FC-Series 540 fully-automatic turret for rewinding of pressure sensitive self-adhesive labels, and the RSC-Series 440 high-performance, compact, robust label slitter/rewinder.

Summa launches 3.2 m flatbeds for the textile market

Summa, a leading manufacturer of high-end cutting plotters, proudly presents two new sizes of their finishing flatbed systems. The F3232 and F3220 are based on the proven technology of the Summa F Series.

Through the expansion of the flatbed series, Summa strives to improve the synergy with the large format digital printer market and to meet the needs of their customers. The new flatbeds are expected to be ready for shipment in February / April 2019.

Fully equipped for the textile market

Within the world of large format digital printing, most common sizes of textile printers are equipped with a working width of 3.2 m to be able to print large rolls of textiles. Both new Summa flatbed cutters, the F3232 and F3220, also cover a working width of 3.2 m, making them the ideal companion to process common, popular print sizes with utmost ease and accuracy.

The matching working area sizes of the textile printer and Summa’s new finishing cutter sizes will lead to a print and cut workflow, fitting seamlessly into each other and offering endless solutions to the flourishing textile market.

Geert Pierloot, Summa’s Product Marketing Manager, points out: “The new sizes of flatbed systems enrich Summa's platform with advanced finishing solutions, especially within the textile industry. Together with the recent launch of a more powerful High Torque Rotary Module (HT RM), both the F3232 and F3220 are the ideal workhorses to serve the textile market in the processing of all sorts of mesh fabrics, flags, and banners."

Processing large board material in a flash

However, not only the textile market will benefit from Summa's two new sizes of flatbed finishing systems. Then both flatbed sizes are also perfectly suited to cut the increasingly popular board sizes of 3 m x 2 m.

Additionally, the F3232 with its working area of 3.2 m x 3.2 m, has the inclusive feature: Summa’s Tandem Mode. This feature will increase productivity of the customer’s workflow by using the front zones and rear zones alternately. The Tandem Mode will be most beneficial when processing board sizes of 1.5 m x 3 m.

All existing tools and models within the F Series gamut are designed to fit each size of the flatbed range, the F3232 and F3220 sizes inclusive. This ensures the highest versatility to process all kinds of material and offer numerous high-end solutions to the sign making, textile, and digital print industries.

Wagner Labels chooses Epson SurePress L-4033AW solution

R. Wagner Prestige Labels Pty Ltd has a history which dates back to 1938. The company built a reputation in quality embossing labels and seals and in 1989, with new owners, introduced multi-colour labels to their offering. With their strong commitment to technology, Wagner Labels recently had a key decision to make around which new label press to buy. When their evaluation was complete it was the Epson SurePress L-4033AW that took the honours.

Wagner Labels production manager Chris Galea explained the company’s decision, “We had already stepped into the digital market with a small toner-based printer, quickly noticed the impact and continual benefits of using this machine and started to look at the digital printing process on a larger scale. Having already established ourselves in many other areas of printing including letterpress, screen and flexo this was going to be the next step. With the changing market and frequent improvements in new and improved digital presses we had to look at Epson as they’ve always been a market leader in inkjet machines. When we did, the SurePress L-4033AW stood head and shoulders above the competition.”

Galea and the Wagner team’s primary concern was that the quality of print from their new label press had to be second to none.

Galea continued, “Having always produced high quality, high definition work on our conventional printing presses using a combination of film, plates, ink and equipment we were looking for a machine that would fit in with our already-varied printing dynamic. We also had to factor in the numerous forms which the machine could print including different coated or uncoated substrates, maximum width, the addition of white ink and a fuller colour gamut. With the addition of white, orange and green ink to the usual CMYK as well as not needing to treat material prior to printing, the SurePress L-4033AW ticked all of these boxes and more.” 

Galea and the Wagner team studied the printing process, finish, quality and longevity of digital machines on the market and again, it was the quality the SurePress could provide that impressed them the most.

He added, “The SurePress offered a point of difference for our customers, an alternative to their range of labels while keeping the quality and colours of their products consistent. This is also in part due to the partnership and match between Epson hardware and Esko software being able to provide even more options and better support.”

For Wagner Labels their new SurePress hasn’t just maintained their quality levels, it’s actually increased their productivity levels too as Galea explained, “We have established ourselves in running small, specialty work such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and wine labels. However, our new SurePress has enabled us to increase our capacity to do these types of jobs and widen our market even further. With less setup and material, it is easier to run multiple jobs in a quicker and more efficient manner. The L-4033AW is also capable of running labels just over 900mm which, combined with the lightfast and long-lasting inks, means we can print larger outdoor labels as well.”

All in all the team at Wagner Labels are very pleased with their new SurePress on many levels. When summarising the effect the new machine has had on the business it was clear that a combination of quality, reliability, flexibility and cost effectiveness truly sealed the deal at the innovative printers.

Chris Galea concluded, “By utilising the inkjet method of CMYKOG as well as Esko software the SurePress L-4033AW has been able to provide consistent prints time and time again whilst also reaching a majority of the PMS colour gamut with little to no calibration and no loss of set-up time. This helps us provide customers with the widest range of quality labels across their entire range of products. In short, by using the SurePress we can now provide our clients with the more efficient one-stop-shop solution of having their labels designed and printed all under one roof at a more competitive cost than ever before.”


www.epson.com.au

GERBER TECHNOLOGY ACQUIRES MCT DIGITAL

Gerber Technology announced recently that it has acquired MCT Digital, adding modular laser cutting technology to their existing industrial strength finishing solution hardware and software portfolio. 

The addition of MCT’s high-end large format cutting builds on Gerber’s heritage in the sign & graphics and packaging industries, as well as giving Gerber a key technology platform to serve its industrial markets.

MCT and Gerber are both recognised as pioneers providing integrated software and hardware solutions. Their track records of 30 and 50 years respectively have delivered innovative technologies that have transformed the way their customers work. Gerber invented automated cutting in 1968 and the company continues to create the world’s most integrated design and production ecosystem of hardware and software in the apparel, home and leisure, and transportation markets.
Gerber also revolutionised the way vinyl was designed and cut in the sign and graphics space with the introduction of OMEGA™ software and GERBER EDGE® thermal transfer printer. 

Likewise, Steen Mikkelsen, CEO of MCT Digital, was directly responsible for the introduction of today’s print-to-cut workflow in the sign & graphics and packaging industries with his development of the i-cut® software. 

In 2016, MCT launched their current cutting system including proprietary laser cutting technology, winning product of the year at that year’s SGIA.
“The product leadership, engineering and technical knowledge of these two companies creates countless opportunities to help our customers improve their productivity, streamline their workflows and improve overall efficiency,” said Scott Schinlever, president and chief operating officer, Automation Solutions for Gerber Technology.

Gerber’s financial strength, global service and support network and long-standing customer relationships, coupled with MCT’s portfolio of print-to cut software and finishing technology, has the company well positioned to empower their customers in the many markets it serves, and to also position them to fully exploit high-speed digital printing which continues to change many industries.

“We are very excited about combining our technology platform with Gerber’s global scale to drive growth,” said Nik Mikkelson, founder, and CTO, MCT Digital. 

“The passion, focus and culture of our two companies are very well aligned and will maintain the same standard of excellence our customers expect, and our employees’ deliver.”

The beginning of 2018 saw an expansion in HVG Graphics Media’s extensive media portfolio, adding hardware to their range in partnering with MCT Digital to enable a holistic approach to meet market demand for a single supply model.

 “We welcome the acquisition and have seen first-hand the market excitement generated by combining MCT and Gerber Technology - two established and trusted brands, “says Adrian Morris, HVG Graphics Media Business Manager Strategic Growth.

“This will allow MCT, as a partner of HVG, to reach their full potential by bringing finishing innovation to the wide format, signage and packaging markets at an even faster rate.” 

For further details of MCT Cutter product portfolio please visit: www.hvggraphics.com.au

Epson Launches TM-L90 Liner-Free Compatible Label Printer

Epson Australia has launched its new TM-L90 Liner-free compatible label printer. The TM-L90 liner-free compatible label printer delivers all the features you need to print liner-less "stay stuck" labels and is ideally suited for quick service environments such as coffee shops, delicatessens and restaurants, both quick and traditional service. Food operators can now easily identify customer orders on take away bags and boxes as well as use the labels to identify custom orders or label orders for delivery.

The addition of the TM-L90 liner-free compatible label printer expands Epson's line-up of reliable label and coupon printing solutions. Designed to print on both adhesive-backed media and thermal receipt media, the new TM-L90 liner-free label printer provides a flexible, hospitality-strength, liner-free labelling solution that improves efficiency while enhancing customer satisfaction.

The TM-L90 prints liner-free labels at a speed of up to 90mm/second and thermal receipts at up to 170mm/second at a crisp 203 x 203 dpi, supports variable length label output and accepts label rolls up to 102mm in diameter. The printer can easily be mounted in three ways (vertical, horizontal or wall-mounted) and offers additional benefits such as margin reduction options to reduce receipt size, automatic media type and paper width detection, sensor for auto cutting, and modified support rollers to minimise paper jams. Additionally, the TM-L90 liner-free label printer comes with a 12-month limited warranty and supports multiple interfaces, including serial, Ethernet, and powered USB.
 

 TM-L90 Key Features
• Cost-effective liner-free label printing for QSRs and food service
• Special print options reduce paper usage by up to 30%
• Easy installation – 3 mounting positions
• Low power consumption reduces cost and environmental impact
• Standard 12 months RTB warranty
• Easy media switching between 40, 58 and 80 mm paper widths

The TM-L90 is available now from selected Epson resellers.

www.epson.com.au 

Fujifilm announces faster Jet Press 750S sheet-fed B2 Press


Fujifilm today announces its third generation B2 inkjet press, the Jet Press 750S. With higher productivity of 3,600 B2 sheets per hour, and a range of other changes which further improve the already impressive up-time, versatility, colour capability and quality, the Jet Press 750S is now the fastest, full colour, B2 sheet-fed digital press on the market.


The Jet Press 720S was the first B2 inkjet press to gain a foothold in the market, and was ahead of the game in terms of productivity and quality. With over 150 Jet Press installations worldwide, more and more print buyers have recognised the new standard in digital print that this press delivers. Now with the continued, steady increase in demand for short run work, the introduction of the Jet Press 750S means that more and more jobs are going to fit the sweet spot of this new industry-leading press.


The target for this press is not the toner-dominated, on demand market where runs of ones and twos predominate. The Jet Press 750S is likely to be highly competitive for print runs up to 5,000, depending on ink coverage, allowing it to compete with, and out-perform, offset presses in the production of high quality, short run print jobs. This makes it an ideal investment for a much larger range of commercial and packaging printers.


Like the Jet Press 720S, the new press is the perfect blend of old and new technologies. Built on an offset chassis, it features superb sheet-to-sheet, front and back registration and up-time on a par with offset, combined with the very latest industry-leading Samba inkjet printheads, to deliver print quality that out-performs offset.


Enhanced productivity and up-time


Customers of the Jet Press 720S have already benefited from the highest up-time for a digital press in the industry, with figures above 90% often quoted. The Jet Press 750S is set to improve on this still further thanks to two new features. The first is a new printhead self-cleaning process called ‘Overflow Cleaning’ which carries out head cleaning at times when the press is between jobs or the printhead assembly is in motion. The second is a new Active Head Retraction (AHR) system which lifts the print bars from the drum when a paper deformation is detected (<3mm), reducing the likelihood of paper jams caused by damaged paper.


The increase in top line press speeds has been achieved by the further development of two major parts of the press. The first is the inclusion of the next generation of Samba printheads. Printing on paper moving at the higher speed of 3,600 sheets per hour requires a corresponding speed upgrade to the number of ink droplets deposited per second. The jetting frequency of the new generation Samba printheads has therefore been increased from 25 kHz to 33 kHz to speed up dot placement and counteract the increased effects of possible turbulence. It also has the additional benefit of reducing dot placement variations, therefore improving quality.


The second new technology contributing to increased efficiency and speed is the introduction of a completely new drying system, in which a printed sheet is passed onto a transfer belt heated via rollers, with a vacuum applied as the sheet passes through the drying section to keep it dimensionally stable. Drying is carried out via a combination of the heated belt and hot air applied from above. As well as operating at higher speeds, this new system allows greater control and fine-tuning of temperatures, extending the range of substrates that can be printed.


The combination of a larger sheet size (increased from 750mm x 532mm to 750mm x 585mm), even better up-time, a 33% faster press speed, and quicker finishing mean the overall ability of this new press to print longer runs and improve job turnaround times still further is significant.


Exceptional quality and colour capability


The Jet Press 720S has already built a formidable reputation for exceptional print quality, and here the Jet Press 750S is no different. It features the same Rapid Coagulation Primer technology, allowing it to be used with standard coated and uncoated offset paper stock, benefits from the same superb sheet-to-sheet registration, and the addition of the latest generation of Samba printheads improves dot placement accuracy even further. The Jet Press 750S also features the same extended colour gamut called ‘MaxGamut’ which, depending on the media used, allows up to 90% of the Pantone library of 1,872 colours to be printed within a Delta E of 3 or less, providing an exceptional colour match on a four colour press.


To improve the press’s capability with regards to spot and Pantone colours even further, Fujifilm has added a new module to its XMF ColorPath tool, called XMF ColorPath Brand Color Optimizer. This new module enables users to profile the entire Pantone library for any chosen media type, and will ensure that each and every Pantone colour is printed as accurately as physically possible. What is unique to Brand Color Optimizer, however, is the ability to predict how accurately a Pantone colour will be printed before actually printing. This means decisions about printing a specific job can be made up front, and no time is wasted trying to achieve what is not possible.


Finally, in addition to the In-Line Scanning (ILS) system also found in the Jet Press 720S, the Jet Press 750S incorporates a new optional ImageConfidence scanning system as further reassurance. This uses a proprietary AI algorithm to evaluate the full print area of a B2 sheet on-the-fly, ensuring every sheet matches a pre-approved image.


Perfect for packaging


Currently, around a third of all current European Jet Press customers already produce some form of packaging on the press. With its 33% speed boost and variable data printing at full speed, the new Jet Press 750S is ideally suited to printing versioned and short run packaging to coincide with specific events, localities or store promotions.


The introduction of the Jet Press 750S is likely to accelerate this trend. It can be modified to accommodate heavier weight folding carton stock (up to 0.6mm in thickness), and printed sheets from the press have been tested and found to be compatible with a wide range of analogue and digital coating, foiling, lamination and cutting solutions. An automatic bridge is also available to connect to online coating solutions.


Fujifilm is now also able to offer a food safe ink, making the Jet Press 750S the first B2 digital press approved to print primary food packaging. This new, low migration, aqueous food safe ink complies with stringent regulations, including Swiss Ordinance 817.023.21 and European Commission Regulation 1935/2004, and has been specially formulated for coatings to be applied inline (via a bridge) or near line.


Other features


Remote usability has also been improved on the Jet Press 750S, with users able to carry out job management tasks, including allocating new jobs and certain press functions, remotely via an iPad (additional option).


Finally, the new press, like the Jet Press 720S, features excellent de-inkability of printed sheets, while the new drying system, which requires 23% less power, offers an additional environmental benefit.


Says Taro Aoki, Head of Digital Press Solutions, Fujifilm Graphic Systems EMEA: “In the Jet Press 750S, we have retained and enhanced all of the features that gave the Jet Press 720S such a formidable reputation, to create a new industry benchmark for the production of short run print. With its increased speed and up-time, the press is likely to be competitive for a much larger range of offset jobs, and gain a much larger share of the B2 market. We look forward to helping printers take advantage of all the opportunities that this will present.”

Heidelberg opens Future Workshop to educate apprentices on digital transformation

Heidelberg has opened Future Workshop, a learning space for apprentices at its Wiesloch-Walldorf site with the aim of introducing them to its corporate digitalization strategy from the beginning.

Digital transformation has been of strategic importance to Heidelberg for a number of years (read more in Labels & Labeling issue 3, 2017, and here). The printing equipment manufacturer noted how its advancing digital transformation is placing high demand on vocational training at the company. To make it easier to shape technological and social change, the Future Workshop has been established.

Here, apprentices will be familiarized early on with how the latest digital working methods are used, such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) and utility films. Trainee mechatronics engineers can use VR tools to inspect the insides of a printing press, for example. A special set of VR goggles enables them to navigate around a virtual environment simulating assembly, maintenance and repair work. This makes the product transparent and more easily understandable for apprentices, said Heidelberg..

Heidelberg CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer explained: ‘We are getting our young recruits fit to face the challenges of the digital future. We are investing heavily in cutting-edge training methods. After all, we need motivated and dynamic workers adept in state-of-the-art digital technologies to drive forward digital transformation at Heidelberg.’

In the Future Workshop, apprentices also use these methods to assemble products for start-ups such as Apium, a supplier of 3D printers based in Karlsruhe. Heidelberg is providing Apium with development and production capacity at the Wiesloch-Walldorf site as part of its high-tech campus concept.

Rainer Haus, who is in charge of Heidelberg’s training in Germany, said: ‘Our aim is to develop employees with sustainable skills who are open and courageous enough to embrace new concepts, particularly in a culture that is highly dynamic and constantly changing, as well as being keen to assume responsibility and make decisions.’

Prof. Rupert Felder, head of HR at Heidelberg, concluded: ‘At the same time, we are making our training program even more appealing and interesting to digital natives in what might otherwise be considered a "conventional" sector.’

Mimaki Australia OPENS Brand NEW Queensland Facility


Mimaki Australia Pty Ltd is pleased to announce the Opening of our Brand New QLD facility. Mimaki Queensland showroom is located 4a/20 Smallwood Place Murarrie QLD.

“We would like to thank our QLD dealer network for their engagement to Mimaki and being a part of our official opening. This increased investment from Mimaki into the QLD market is a sign of our commitment to our network and customers that the Mimaki brand is here to stay. We boast the largest range of wide format engines in the industry and we are driving hard to increase a leading position in the marketplace.” Comments new General Manager Tomomitsu Harada.
Mimaki Australia is equipped with 3 dedicated demonstration center’s (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane). With sales and applications specialists in each location and a fleet of 9 technicians for pro-active support to our Dealer network and customers. 



Mimaki Australia Locations:

Sydney - Unit 14, 38-46 South Street, Rydalmere NSW 2116
Melbourne - Unit 7 / 3-4 Anzed Ct. Mulgrave VIC 3170
Brisbane - 4a/20 Smallwood Place Murarrie QLD 4172
Contact Details PH: 02 8036 4500 – Web: www.mimakiaus.com.au

Mutoh announces ValueJet 1627MH

Mutoh Europe announces availability of a new member in its popular ValueJet wide format digital printer family, the VJ-1627MH. The ValueJet 1627MH is a 64” (1625 mm) wide hybrid printer featuring a hot air knife media drying system and unique resin-based inks enabling direct printing on both rigid and roll substrates.

Prints are dry when they come off the printer. The ValueJet 1627MH incorporates a high end piezo drop-on-demand print head capable of producing print resolutions up to 720 x 1440 dpi, making it suited for top quality output for short viewing distances.

The ValueJet 1627MH comes with a brand new CMYK + White resin-based ink set called MP-31. All inks come in 500 ml packs. MP stands for “Multi-Purpose”, which refers to the unique capabilities of the inks and their extreme versatility. The inks allow direct printing on white, transparent and coloured rigid substrates, including foam board, cardboard, alu panel; even on acrylic sheets as well as rigid sheets for thermo forming (PVC, PS, PP, APET, PLA). Printing on white, coloured and transparent roll substrates is also possible, including heat sensitive media, shrink film, recyclable non PVC media, etc… Mutoh’s MP-31 series inks have a UV durability up to 2 years outdoors without lamination.

The MP-31 inks are also extremely stretchable & shrinkable, making them equally suited for high stretch applications such as car wrapping as well as thermo/vacuum forming and shrink applications.

Another unique appealing feature of Mutoh’s Multi-Purpose MP-31 inks is that they will preserve the natural texture and look of substrates including for example matte or glossy look.

The new Mutoh ValueJet 1627MH is equally suited for sign & display print shops for the production of both indoor and long term outdoor prints, as well as for graphics companies looking for a digital solution for proofing or short run production of packaging prototypes or customised labels, even for industrial printers specialised in thermo forming.

For rigid printing, the printer can be equipped with foldable rigid print tables. It handles rigid substrates with a thickness of maximum 16 mm and a weight of maximum 15 kg. An optional media alignment system can be mounted to easily align rigid media at the front side, which allows perfect double sided printing. The 1627MH can also be used with customised jigs for printing on all kinds of pre-cut blanks. For roll prints, the five colour 1627MH can be equipped with a 30 kg automated take-up system to roll up finished prints. Switching between rigid and roll setup is fast.

Compared to its predecessor, the ValueJet 1617H, the new VJ-1627MH delivers a performance increase of up to 20 %. In CMYK setup, print speeds up to 12 m² per hour at 720 x 720 dpi are possible. Mutoh also optimised user convenience by improving the user interface, by implementing semi-automated cleaning cycles as well as automated media height measurement, ensuring perfect output thanks to an identical gap between the print head and the substrate, regardless of the substrate thickness. Regular maintenance features have also been improved. The machine is equipped with left and right maintenance covers. The operator can moreover also replace the print head cleaning wiper by himself.

The new ValueJet 1627MH printer is available immediately. The product will be marketed by Mutoh throughout the EMEA territory via Mutoh Authorised Resellers.

NEW EYE CATCHING FOLDING CARTON WITH NANOTECHNOLOGY DECORATIVE ELEMENTS

A new recyclable folding carton featuring advanced brand enhancement technology, has been launched by specialist Fresnels Inc.

First shown at Luxepack Monaco in October 2018, the design features innovative dynamic nanotechnology decorative elements, developed specifically to catch the eye and interact with customers in the retail drinks environment.

Incorporating enhanced levels of security features for added brand protection, the box has been produced from FSC certified paper over printed with a floral design before a clear, optically variable Peacock™ foil is applied via heated blind embossing. This ensures perfect register between the raised leaves and petals and the green to gold colour transformation imparted by the foil.

The same foil is also used directly on the white paper to create the letters ROSE - textured dies create an engraved effect to the lettering while adding security to the box - before a digitally created crest, using proprietary Cellini™ technology, is applied using silver metallised stamping foil.

The new Fresnels technology meets the demand for eco-friendly packaging that can be recycled and is produced using manufacturing processes, which have minimum energy demands and environmental impact. 

Foil technology is used to provide improved recyclability when compared with plastic laminates, while advanced digital origination technology allows covert markers and data to be incorporated into the packaging surfaces. These include Level 2 and 3 covert security features that can only be detected via hand held devices or forensic examination. 

Dr Glenn Wood, COO of Fresnels Inc, said: “We are seeing mechanically produced fresnel lens effects as fascinating additions to packaging. However, the real prize is digitally produced images offering graphic designers much greater scope for creativity. We have also been successful in manufacturing these images as hot stamping foils suitable for high speed application to paper substrates.” 

Fresnel Inc. President John Jones, said: “CELLINI™ has the appearance of moulded metal. It engages the eye and the touch by its raised appearance which renders the embossing of paper or carton unnecessary.”

Cellini™ and Peacock™ effects can also be supplied in label format to co-ordinate with the cartons. With headquarters in Connecticut, USA, Fresnels Inc. specialises in the commercialisation of optical microstructures and provides brand owners with high visibility packaging with dynamic effects, which are eco-friendly, highly secure and yet highly cost effective. 

EFI Introduces Next-generation Single-pass Reggiani BOLT Textile Digital Printer

The brand-new, next-generation, single-pass EFI™ Reggiani BOLT textile digital printer from Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (Nasdaq:EFII) made its debut this week during an open house event at the EFI Reggiani facility in Bergamo, Italy. The advanced, ultra-high-speed digital single-pass printer has the potential to revolutionise the textile printing market, providing users with high uptime and reliability, outstanding performance, superior printing uniformity and accuracy, long printhead life and minimal maintenance needs. The EFI Reggiani open house has created huge interest in global textile market opportunities, with nearly 300 customers and journalists attending to see the new BOLT in action.
 
“The innovative development of our new single-pass printer comes from Reggiani’s speed of innovation in digital textile printing, its 70 years of history, and our proprietary knowledge of high-volume analog rotary printing,” said EFI Reggiani Vice President and General Manager Adele Genoni. “Our EFI colleagues’ proven, worldwide expertise in single-pass technology and, most importantly, EFI Reggiani’s serious commitment to listening to and addressing our textile customers’ needs, have allowed us to achieve incredible results with our newest print technology. The EFI Reggiani BOLT re-writes the rules of digital textile single-pass printing, delivering superior throughput and quality with a highly competitive return on investment for customers. We are excited to bring this technology to our customers and see their businesses succeed and grow.”
 
Cutting-edge printhead technology and high-performance ink delivery
 
The BOLT offers an innovative, low-maintenance, fast-startup recirculation printhead that delivers better, more-uniform printing with superior uptime. Thanks to its cutting-edge printhead concept and high-performance ink delivery system, the BOLT has throughput speeds of up to 295 feet per minute (more than 86,100 square feet per hour) at a 600 x 600 dots per inch (dpi) resolution. It features high-end grayscale imaging in drop sizes from 5 to 30 picolitres, and also provides premium-quality 600 x 4,800 maximum-dpi resolution printing, allowing customers to address the full range of design needs. The printhead has been developed in partnership with a leading printhead manufacturer, and will be available exclusively for EFI Reggiani.
 
High-end capabilities, with reduced downtime
 
The EFI Reggiani BOLT meets growing requirements for high-quality, ecologically sustainable digital textile imaging in apparel, décor and other markets. Paired with an EFI Fiery® digital front end (DFE) print server offering unique, high-speed processing capabilities on demand, the BOLT printer is a robust, industrial platform designed for 24/7 operation and continuous productivity that drives high-volume throughput while reducing the cost per meter. Additional new features and enhancements on the printer include:
 
Enhanced maintenance features – The printer’s contactless wiping system prolongs printhead life and quality. Plus, the printer comes with an assisted alignment system for its test calibration scan unit, and features extractable printing beams for easier maintenance.
 
Extended colour gamut and superior image quality – Thanks to EFI expertise in colour management and flexible colour configurations, customers can easily reproduce a wider variety of work, including designs featuring plain colours, geometric patterns, fine lines, deep blacks and smooth gradients.
 
Proprietary IP combining digital and rotary technologies – One or more analog printing stations, which may be easily connected as an optional feature, can be integrated into the digital printer for special effects.
 
Efficient, high-powered EFI Fiery technology
 
The Reggiani BOLT is a Fiery Driven™ printer, featuring an EFI Fiery DFE with RIP and colour management technologies running on Fiery XB bladed hardware for maximum performance. Fiery technologies for the printer give textile printing businesses the ability to successfully produce highly challenging jobs with the finest detail, demanding colours, smooth gradients and more. EFI colour scientists developed special algorithms and custom screening for this Fiery system to deliver vivid print results, including high saturation without losing detail, and superior colour even when using the fastest print mode.
 
Fiery technologies for the new Reggiani BOLT printer also will include a 1-year subscription to EFI Fiery DesignPro, a powerful textile and fashion design suite that runs inside designers’ Adobe® Creative Cloud® applications. Fiery DesignPro reduces the time needed to create colour books, repeats, colourways and prepare files for production to minutes instead of hours. Together, the new Reggiani BOLT single-pass printer and Fiery technologies address key market trends as customers face pressure for faster time-to-market, quick fashion cycles, shorter print runs and more customisation.
 
EFI Reggiani high-speed innovation in digital printing for textiles
 
The BOLT printer is the newest in an important series of EFI Reggiani innovations. In the last 15 months, the team has developed a totally renewed range of digital scanning printers with cutting-edge technologies, launching a new model every quarter to offer customers solutions to whatever their requirements may be for easily scalable textile printing. The list of EFI Reggiani advancements includes two recent launches – the COLOURS digital printer, which provides unparalleled performance with up to 12-colour printing, and the TERRA pigment ink with binder solution featuring in-line polymerisation, a process that speeds up customers’ printing with one of the industry’s greenest production technologies.
 
For more information about EFI Reggiani products for the textile market, visit www.efi.com

FASTSIGNS® of Maple Shade relies on SAi Flexi for flexibility and smooth production integration

In more than 30 years as a signmaker, Jeffrey Chudoff, owner of FASTSIGNS® of Maple Shade, New Jersey, has witnessed the transformation of vehicle graphics printing. Indeed, he has been one of those who helped drive the evolution, and SAi Flexi was one of the enablers.

With a background in business, brand management and marketing, Chudoff began tinting glass for a range of vehicles from muscle cars to pick-up trucks. Responding to requests for names on windshields, in 1985 he began supplying and installing cut vinyl lettering. Initially this was out-sourced, but in 1986 he bought his first tangential cutter to bring the process – and control – in house.

“That was the beginning of it all,” Chudoff says. “As large format printing for vehicle wraps developed in the early 1990s, I’d put designs on CDs and mail them to Kansas for printing electrostatically. The breakthrough came in 1995 when I bought my first Roland large format inkjet printer at the USSC show.”

Adding the large format printer enabled Chudoff to cut production times, increase margins and accelerate the development of his business. He outgrew the 400 sq. ft. garage where he had been operating and moved to his current 3,200 sq. ft. location – which also has the benefit of being on a highway with 350,000 vehicles passing weekly. The company currently has two Roland printers, an XR-640 and an RF-640.

“While the quality of our work was always high, the software tools for design and workflow could be tricky to use and not especially suitable for vehicle wraps and graphics,” he explains. “We began using SAi Flexi in about 2000, and the tools it has for handling different file formats, colour matching and efficient management of jobs is great.”

FASTSIGNS® of Maple Shade has two subscriptions for Flexi software. “We can afford two because of the price difference for the options. We use one just for designs while the full version is connected to the printers,” he says, adding, “And they’re both always up to date.” 

The right tools for the job
“Flexi has lots of clever features. For example, if you are processing a large number of similar pieces, there are short-cut keys that mean you don’t have to go through drop-down menu options again and again,” he says. “Incorporating photographs and artwork from different sources is easy and ensures that we get what we design. I like to say that Flexi plays well in the graphics playground!”

Chudoff also likes the way Flexi’s clean-up tool can be used to separate a logo from a background to prepare graphics suitable for vehicle wraps. “Sometimes people don’t have logo files,” he explains. “We have to scan a letterhead and work from that. The clean-up tool simplifies the process and means that we can get a result that the customer loves.”



Additionally, he uses Flexi to produce other signage and photographic wall murals with logos and special effects incorporated. This enables him to exercise creativity, recognise opportunities, and find the best way to produce what the customer wants.

Chudoff is not wedded to any particular process. He will use the techniques necessary to realise the concept, and his numerous awards from industry magazines attest to his success. At one time he discovered that automatic photo-processing kiosks, like those found in shopping centres, were capable of printing business cards. He was able to use artwork being prepared for a vehicle wrap to print them, giving his customers a more complete and consistent branding package.

For the record – the importance of vinyl
Cut vinyl still accounts for about 40 percent of Chudoff’s jobs. As in many states, New Jersey requires owner information on commercial vehicles and many customers are small one-man operations that don’t want or need a wrap, so the cut vinyl solution is enough.

The state requires the owner’s name and the name of the municipality where his principal place of business is located, and this must be in letters not less than three inches high. Other customers, explains Chudoff, see vehicle wraps as an important tool for their marketing and brand identity.

On this subject, Chudoff is passionate about the role of the signmaker. “Vehicle wraps have a particular job to do,” he says. “Viewers have about six seconds to take in the information on a moving car or truck. That information should help the process of remembering them. That can be a logo, a graphic, a photograph, or a typeface. The right combination of a photograph with words can mean that it’s 87 percent more likely to be remembered.”



According to Chudoff, setting out these elements and achieving the right colour is facilitated by Flexi and makes achieving the desired effect much easier. “It takes people who know about vehicles to do this properly,” he says. “Following corporate guidelines written by people without the right understanding of vehicles and their variations can result in key elements being placed in difficult-to-read positions and failing to communicate the message.”

Chudoff also believes that the right vehicle wrap shop can give advice on the best approach, too. For example, in some circumstances, a partial wrap might be just as effective as a full one and save the customer money. As a result, he might then be prepared to buy some other signage.

Building family relationships
Chudoff operated as an independent sign shop until 2016 when he became part of the FASTSIGNS® family (#2115). “I was amazed at the difference it has made,” he says. “We receive calls and opportunities that we’d never had before. People like the consistency of the experience and if they have had good results from one FASTSIGNS® shop, they will recommend the brand to colleagues and friends elsewhere.”

Chudoff also believes that the industry has come a long way in the last 30 years. In his eyes, colour quality and durability, print speeds, substrates, photographic reproduction, and of course, software and workflow development, have contributed to what is a whole new market segment. 

Despite the developments, he also thinks that the industry needs to keep up the levels of training to ensure that younger people learn the techniques of creating quality wraps and installing them properly. “There is now a sophistication in this market that didn’t exist when I began, and it requires a much more professional approach – and it is important to keep the bar high,” he explains.

Having the right tools is part of that picture. “Flexi is a versatile software that can integrate input and output software and devices in a way that is intuitive and meets the needs of busy sign shops,” Chudoff concludes. “That’s one of the reasons I really like it: you can tell that Flexi wasn’t designed by boffins in a lab but by people who are signmakers and who fully understand how we work and what we need.”

HP debuts Design to Print portfolio at Autodesk University

HP Inc. announced new hardware and solutions to help change the way architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries design and print. Autodesk users will now experience faster HP PageWide XL printers1, breakthrough simplicity with HP Solutions for Large Format printers, new Z by HP portfolio enhancements, and advances in VR.

The new technology makes its debut in the HP showcase (#A451) of new printing hardware and solutions designed to be intuitive and efficient for Autodesk users. Experience the new HP Solutions for Large Format Printing, HP PageWide XL printing technology, the latest HP DesignJet Z9+ PostScript Printer Series printing Z by HP posters, the HP DesignJet T830 24-in Multifunction Printer, HP new powerful HP ZBook mobiles, and VR “snacking” tool.

Reinvents technical print production with faster entry-level PageWide XL solutions 
Now 25 percent faster at the same price1, the upgraded HP PageWide XL 4000 series is the most cost-effective solution in the PageWide XL portfolio for enterprise, public sector users, including architects and engineers, to achieve fast, and easy printing with a consolidated printing workflow.

The HP PageWide XL 4600 Printer and MFP and HP PageWide XL 4100 Printer and MFP join the fastest printer portfolio in the market2 offering speeds up to 15D/A1-size or 10D/A1-size prints per minute, for technical work teams of architects and engineers and copy shops to deliver technical documents with quick turnaround and low operating costs.3

With more than 7,000 units shipped and 5 billion ft² (500 million m2) printed since the HP PageWide XL printer launch in 2015, more customers are discovering the value the market-leading4 HP PageWide XL printers bring to businesses worldwide. HP PageWide XL printers do the job of two printers in a single device, providing both monochrome and color prints at breakthrough speeds: the Power of One.

Frictionless large format printing experience
Eight-five percent of design creators need help when printing in large format5. HP is focused on delivering seamless print experiences with new solutions to enable creativity, productivity, and smarter ways to bridge the physical print with the digital world. Designed to simplify how AEC businesses print, users have access to one click solutions and can virtually print anytime and anywhere from all devices.

Simple and easy print solutions include: 
• HP Click: This one-click desktop printing software gives customers the confidence to print right the first time. HP Click now enhances the users batch printing experience with just one click by optimizing media usage and costs while achieving error free printing.

• HP Smart App: A mobile app designed to print, scan, and share content now enables users to print content from the cloud from virtually anywhere with transparency and control.

• HP Poster App: An easy online design tool to create and print professional looking posters with the largest collection of free and premium content. Now users have access with direct and easy printing with HP Click.

"In a world with a 100 percent digital construction vision, paper is still the most common tool used in the field. Small businesses in the AEC industry require the right tools to bridge physical prints with dynamic digital solutions, like CAD software,” said Guayente Sanmartín, General Manager and Global Head, HP Large Format Design Printing. “HP’s vision is to merge the best of the physical and digital worlds to have everybody on the same page.”

HP is collaborating with customers around the world on delivering a pilot program focused on using augmented reality technologies to help reduce errors caused by outdated plans.

“The HP Augmented Print solution has enormous potential. It bridges the gap between digital and paper.
We are excited to work with HP to improve our customers’ construction projects,” said Roberto Molinos,
CEO and founder, Modelical.

At Autodesk University, HP will also showcase powerful HP ZBook mobiles and a VR “snacking” tool.

Changing the Way, the World Designs
The new Z by HP portfolio including HP ZBook mobile workstations, HP Z desktops like the mighty HP Z2 Mini or the powerful HP Z8, and the award-winning HP DreamColor displays, deliver the powerful productivity, versatility and security today’s power users need to do their best work.

The HP ZBook Studio, HP ZBook Studio x360, HP ZBook 15 and HP ZBook 17 have been enhanced with greater processing power, innovative security features and bright displays. The performance increase, with six-core Intel Core i9 processors, will enable users to tackle heavier workloads, such as video editing and 3D rendering. The expanded memory option up to 32 GB of memory (expandable up to 128 GB depending on model) allows users to work faster with large amounts of data. New security feature RAID 1 gives users mirrored SSD storage, providing peace of mind by always providing back up for valuable data.

Tackling VR in New Ways
For architects, product designers, developers and educators, HP revealed its Opera Glass proof of concept for “VR snacking.” The HP Labs innovation enables “VR snacking” users to quickly and easily switching between primary display and VR headset while seated or standing at a desk. With HP’s innovative concept, users can quickly enter and exit their VR environment, seamlessly integrate with a traditional workflow and quickly share a VR experience with a group.

Furthering its commitment to delivering a comprehensive VR solution, HP is working with Theia Interactive, a trusted developer that creates world-class VR visualizations for architecture, manufacturing and beyond. Theia has extensive experience creating architectural walkthroughs, interior design configurators, XR product demonstrations, virtual reality training simulators and marketing experiences for brands.