PRINTACTION
WIDE FORMAT RESOURCE GUIDE
PLUS
Edmonton airport sports dynamic
Lexus tower wrap P.4
Six trends driving the wideformat business P.12
New wide-format technologies P.18
Ontario team crowned regional winner in global wrap competition P.6
Edmonton airport welcomes travellers with Lexus tower wrap
Each fall since being awarded the interior and exterior ad program contract at Edmonton International Airport in 2016, Pattison Outdoor Advertising has spearheaded a series of Lexus Canada mesh banner wraps that cover the majority of the north- and east-facing sides of the original air traffic control tower, reaching Lexus’ key audience of business and leisure travellers. With 7.8 million passengers passing through annually, Edmonton
International Airport is said to be Canada’s fifth busiest airport.
Measuring 558 inches wide by 720 inches tall on the east face, and 1765 inches wide by 720 inches tall on the north face, the tower wrap ads are printed on mesh vinyl so as not to obstruct the view from the interior. The ads are produced in 16-feet (192-inch) panels and finished on all edges with grommets to affix to the existing exterior cladding, requiring a small team of accredited installers. Cowan
Graphics explains the removal and replacement typically takes the team two full business days to complete.
With locations in Edmonton, Calgary and Saskatoon, family-owned and -operated Cowan Graphics is one of the country’s largest digital and screen printing companies and offers a range of corporate branding services, including decals, murals, vehicle branding, regulatory signage, event and building signage, and large-format graphics.
Photos of the most recent Lexus UX advertisement at Edmonton International Airport, produced and installed by Cowan Graphics in November 2018.
PHOTOS: COWAN GRAPHICS
Ontario team crowned regional winner in global competition
Ten vehicle graphics installer teams from around the world were named Regional Wrap Kings in the 2018 Wrap Like a King Challenge featuring Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping Film, the Conform Chrome and ColorFlow Series and MPI 1105 Supercast Digital film. Taking the title for North America – Canada is The Warrior, installed by Ben Bieber, Dan Desroches, Charles Brossard and David Boily of Team Canadian Wrap Masters of Georgetown, Ont.
A panel of eight industry judges evaluated the submissions based on the visual transformation (difference between the before and after pictures submitted), quality and skill level of installation, overall public look and appeal and uniqueness of the design, and chose 10 Wrap Kings from North America and Europe. The regional winners would then go on to compete for the title of Continental Wrap King, and then King of the Wrap World at the 2018 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Eight other teams entered the North America – Canada category alongside Canadian Wrap Masters: Graphiki of Ottawa, Ont., Empire Graphics of Langley, B.C., Wraptors King based in Ontario, Wrap Meisters of Aurora, Ont., CK Wraps of Unionville, Ont., Yourcarwrap of Orangeville, Ont., Complex Auto Designs of Whitby, Ont., and ChuckyCourty Wrap Installs of Fenelon Falls, Ont.
“We are insanely blessed to have a team of some of the best wrappers in Canada and we feel like the combined efforts of our members played a huge part in the success of this build. Each member gave a tremendous amount of time and effort and brought their own unique skills to the table and the results, we hope, speak for themselves,” according to a statement from Canadian Wrap Masters. “The inspiration for the design came from one of our members who, working alongside our designer, came to fruition entirely raw. The design was drawn by hand and meticulously converted to vector in Illustrator for both the print layer and the three graduated cut layers underneath the print. Nothing on this design is stock.”
The wrap consists of over 1,300 square feet of cut vinyl broken into three layers of embossing, followed by a printed layer of Avery Red Chrome with DOL1370z Satin overlaminate, Canadian Wrap Masters explains. Total design, production and installation topped out around 425 hours.
“Our biggest challenge was matching three layers of embossed material with the print layer above, as 85 percent of the truck is embossed. We hope you enjoy our wrap as much as we did bringing it to the wrap world,” Canadian Wrap Masters says.
The 2019 edition of the competition is now accepting submissions until 11:59 p.m. PST August 30, 2019. For details, visit www.wraplikeaking.com.
Canadian Wrap Masters of Georgetown, Ont., was named Regional Winner for North America – Canada for its work on The Warrior. The team used Avery Dennison digital overlaminate films and Conform Chrome wrapping films on the Ford pickup truck.
Zünd Board-Handling System BHS150 for high-volume throughput, industrial-level workflow automation
– Ultimate non-stop productivity with 1.5m stack height, automatic job retrieval, D3 dual-beam production capacity
– Find out more at www.zund.com/en/bhs and click on machine image to see it in action 1.5 m
Click on machine to see it in action, and contact us for a demonstration.
State-of-the-art cutting solutions
Widest range of tools & automation
Modular, upgradable, easy to use
Reliable non-stop productivity
Unsurpassed ROI & longevity
The wide-format experience
Exploring six popular consumer-engagement trends that are driving the wide-format business
By Victoria Gaitskell
Whether it’s an event poster, indoor or outdoor signage, vehicle wrap, storefront decal, tradeshow graphic, wall mural or architectural drawing – to name a few – we can find wide-format printing all around us. Also known as large-format printing, it is a print application that remains a top marketing solution. In this report, Simpson Print and PNH
PNH Solutions supplied thousands of wallmounted Silicone Edge (SEG) fabric frames and lightboxes for Swatch stores across North, Central and South America, from 2013 to 2015.
Solutions explain how printing companies can leverage wide-format technologies to keep pace with six top marketing trends.
#1: Omni-channel marketing
“Marketing is becoming increasingly complex, and you must become fluent in omnichannel marketing to be able to explain to clients how they benefit from print,” Carla Johanns, President at Simpson Print of Bloomingdale, Ont., says. “Our company understands that today’s brands are aiming to attract shoppers to both their online and physical retail environments. Recent studies show consumers who shop both online and in-store have a 30-percent higher lifetime value than those who shop using only one channel. This concept has prompted our acquisition decisions over the last 12 months.”
In February 2018 the company installed a new swissQprint Nyala 2 LED wide-format inkjet system and just 12 months later in February 2019, a Nyala 3 to complement its arsenal of screen printing presses, a 40inch Komori LS640 UV press, and digital presses, including a six-colour HP Indigo. The range of products currently coming off the Nyalas includes displays, temporary and permanent signage for retail environments, packaging, hoarding (temporary fencing used on construction sites), and custom installation work.
“For 50 years we were strictly a sheetfed environment, so it is quite a dramatic shift for us to be exploiting the new equipment’s option of printing roll to roll,” Johanns says. “In my opinion, brand owners will still want to align themselves with a traditional screen
printer for their evolving wide-format requirements. Screen printing will remain a viable production method for at least another five to 10 years and is still more costeffective for quantities above 250 pieces.”
#2: Enriched retail experience
Johanns observes that new trends in retailing are leading to shorter, higher-priced runs more suited to digital wide-format equipment. “In 2012 customers were coming with a plethora of brick-and-mortar stores and would place an order for 300 Tstands and 300 banners or 1,500 kits sent to 1,500 stores, but now retail is changing. There is more customization and interest in enhancing the retail experience for consumers. Retailers are spending more money on fewer locations, as major brands like Lululemon and Under Armour enter the pop-up space.”
Pop-up retail is the trend of temporary sales establishments that emerge for a few hours, days or weeks, creating a new touchpoint for brands to engage with customers. This opportunity allows businesses to experiment with short-term sales strategies without having to invest in a permanent location.
Johanns says the other feature that attracted her to digital wide-format technology is its ability to print on a virtually unlimited number of substrates, including plastics, metals, fabrics and composite materials. Additionally, digital colourmanagement systems enable 100-percent matching of Pantones to meet the exacting requirements of major brand owners, she adds. Inks for digital wide-format applications have also improved substantially; Johanns says the most robust digital inks are now better for outdoor applications because of their sun-fast properties. She explains Simpson Print is “very much a coatings company,” so she was attracted to the fact that special effects, such as deep glitter, lenticular or raised UV, can be accomplished through prepress manipulations on her swissQprint equipment.
#3: Environmental sustainability
“From an ecology perspective, UV LED is important because the process is highly efficient and generates half the energy footprint of screen printing, while still mimicking the same high-quality ink saturation as
PHOTOS: PNH SOLUTIONS
iTech Spectrum
iTech Talon iTech Cypher
“We want to fill the demand for customers who want more unique displays that are different from what have been done before.”
screen,” Johanns says. “Environmental sustainability is where you need to be now. You need to show how much you care about your green footprint. Brands are telling us it’s important, and when players like Carlsberg are eliminating beer sixpack rings to tackle plastic pollution, you need to be concerned as a vendor.”
In particular, it is the younger generations of consumers who have or are now growing up in a scary world with a struggling economy, and tend to prefer environmentally or socially responsible businesses that make the world a better place.
#4: Customization
PNH Solutions supplies wide-format print and custom hardware for events, retail stores, museum exhibits and tradeshows. Its past jobs include scenic elements for Toronto’s 2015 Pan American Games; the 2016 and 2017 Invictus Games; the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Toronto Honda Indy; the 2017 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show; and the 2018 and 2019 Super Bowl.
The last two years have been especially big years for PNH with the expansion of both its Dorval, Que., and Concord, Ont., production facilities to serve bigger contracts and more complex custom work.The expansion included the introduction of
three new departments – metalwork, woodwork and electrical – in its Dorval location.
“Our business is moving toward more custom work. We want to fill the demand for customers who want more unique displays that are different from what have been done before,” Katherine Hudon, PNH Solutions Marketing Coordinator, says. “We’re not the cheapest. We’re well aware of that, but we market our products as high quality — not a single-use tent frame with plastic parts that you can buy cheaply. Our other value-added proposition is that we can be a lot more flexible in what we offer, and we are able to customize products fully in-house.”
She adds that customized printed flooring is a product that has boomed lately. “It used to be popular to print on carpet, but the disadvantages are that it is heavy to transport and relatively hard to clean, so it’s not the most practical thing — especially in Canada where people come inside wearing slushy boots in the winter. Polymer flooring has become really popular because it is lightweight, cleans easily, and lasts for long durations of time. For example, we covered the floor of a big lounge in Montreal’s Saputo Stadium with the branding of the company that sponsored the lounge. The flooring stood up to frequent cleaning and
PNH Solutions supplied dyesublimated fabric banners for the stage backdrops used in both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Invictus Games in Florida.
the foot traffic of everyone attending games twice a week for a full season and is still in really good condition.”
#5: Brand activation events
Hudon says it is becoming increasingly common for agencies to organize pop-up brand activation events in shopping malls and in other public areas as a way to attract customers. “People say retail is in decline because of online shopping, so brands are trying to encourage customers with interesting types of promotions and incentives to come back into physical retail environments.” Accordingly, PNH’s projects in the recent past have included booths for popup brand activation events for Money Mart, Polly Pocket, Pizza Pizza, McDonald’s, Tropicana and Hyundai.
#6: Interactivity
Another goal of today’s approach to marketing is not just to place information in front of consumers, but rather to inspire them or provoke their thoughts and feelings to the point that they will engage with or share the brand’s content. The resulting two-way communication is regarded as crucial for building trust, genuine relationships, and enhanced experiences that today’s consumers are thought to be seeking.
“One booth we did last year was for a video game company introducing a new game in Las Vegas. The interior of the booth had screens built into it that brought visitors inside the booth to test the game. The exhibit left a much stronger impression on people because they had that experience,” Hudon recounts.
She says 3D installations are also huge for promoting interactive consumer experiences. Last year for Cineplex, PNH built two giant 3D pieces – a soda can and popcorn bag – that were installed in malls across Ontario and used enthusiastically by moviegoers as selfie props. Another of its past successes for Emporio Armani involved creating a huge 3D backdrop with part of a car emerging from it. Consumers could take photos with stylish brand ambassadors in front of the backdrop to share on social media.
Aquaman display brings Atlantis to life in Toronto
An immersive installation promoting the superhero blockbuster Aquaman at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, Ont., last December was turned around in less than a week, led by Global Printing Enterprises using specialist graphics media from Drytac.
Global Printing Enterprises created the 250-foot movie poster hoarding at superspeed: Five days from the site visit, to receiving files and creating colour proofs, to the print set-up and printing, to cutting down the panels, labelling and packing, to finally an overnight installation. Scheduled through Rooftop Agency on behalf of Warner Bros Canada, with installation services provided by Sekanskin Media, the project required 10 hours of printing and 10 hours of installation.
“The biggest challenge was coordinating the project with the tight deadline,” says Carlo Toscano, President of Global Printing Enterprises. “Projects like these should take two weeks to come together. We impressed ourselves in achieving this print and install in just five days.”
To produce the super-sized Aquaman display, Global Printing Enterprises used an HP 3000 Latex printer running two rolls of Drytac ReTac Smooth 150 concurrently. ReTac Smooth 150 is a 6 mil (150μ) white polymeric printable PVC film coated with Drytac’s ReTac ultra-removable ad-
hesive technology for easy installation, repositioning and removal. It boasts “excellent compatibility” with UV, solvent and eco-solvent ink technologies as well as latex, and has a Class 0 fire rating making it suitable for most indoor surfaces in public areas with strict fire regulations.
“Drytac ReTac Smooth 150 was recommended to us for its concealing abilities, especially on drywall with taped seams,
A 250-ft movie poster at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre was created and installed in five days by Global Printing Enterprises using Drytac graphics media.
with no lamination required,” Toscano says. “Installers also commented that they liked using this product as it was easy to use and install.”
Based in Mississauga, Ont., Global Printing Enterprises is a large-format print branding specialist that supplies work for over 200 events each year including music festivals, sports events and brand promotions.
RETHINK WIDE FORMAT
FULLY CAPABLE OF PRINTING ON ALMOST ANYTHING
ACCURIOWIDE 160/200 HYBRID UV LED WIDE FORMAT INKJET PRINTERS
PLAY VIDEO
WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS TO IMPROVE YOUR PROFITS
PHOTOGRAPHS, AND MURALS
INDOOR/OUTDOOR SIGNAGE
Detailing new technologies from Agfa, Canon, Durst, EFI, Epson, Fujifilm, HP, Inca Digital, Mimaki, Mutoh, Roland DG and swissQprint
The Acuity LED 40 includes an instant-on feature for immediate printing, Fujifilm says, explaining this will eliminate the need to wait for the printer to warm up.
Fujifilm Acuity LED 40 series flatbed printers
The Acuity LED 40 series with instant-on LED curing is the newest addition to Fujifilm North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division’s Acuity platform. Designed to be a cost-effective printer for growing print service providers as well as existing customers considering an upgrade, the series of mid-volume UV flatbed printers provides production capacity speeds of up to 538 square feet per hour. The standard model enables users to print on media or objects of any size up to 49 x 98 inches, while the X2 (double-bed size) model is suited for sizes up to 98 x 121 inches. The 40 series also features an added benefit of instant-on for immediate printing, Fujifilm explains, saying this eliminates the need to wait for the printer to warm up. The Acuity LED 40 series utilizes a new LED ink by Fujifilm,
Uvijet KL, and is avail- able with four, six or eight colour channels. Users have the option to add light inks and varnish, and can also upgrade to Fujifilm’s brightest white UV ink for backlit and fine art applications. The series can also print on canvas, wood, tile, glass and heat-sensitive films.
Canon Océ Arizona 1300
Canon Canada in March introduced the Océ Arizona 1300 series of high-productivity mid-volume UV true flatbed printers, delivering prints up to
568 sqft/hour and high-density prints up to 380 sqft/hour. Customers can choose from three GT models (Océ Arizona 1340 GT, 1360GT,1380GT) with a flatbed print area of 49.2 x 98.4 inches, or three larger 121.3 x 98.4 inches XT models (Océ Arizona 1340 XT, 1360 XT, 1380 XT). The series can print on different media, including odd-shaped, heavy, smooth or pre-cut media and unusual objects such as canvas, glass or wood, says Canon. With the built-in Automated Maintenance System (AMS)
The Océ Arizona 1300 can print on different media, including odd-shaped, heavy or pre-cut media such as glass or wood.
for hands-free printhead maintenance, nozzle function for all colours can be selectively restored in seconds, the company says. Meanwhile the integrated Océ Arizona Xpert self-learning technology is designed to help the printer learn from what the operator does, thus making it easier to reproduce complex, multi-layered projects. Canon explains the printer will learn the “recipe” for the project, including transparencies and multi-sided printing, which can then be used over and over again.
OnsetX HS UV inkjet flatbed
Fujifilm and Inca Digital in June introduced a new addition to the OnsetX UV flatbed series – the OnsetX HS (High Speed) range. Featuring two new machines, the Onset X2 HS and the Onset X3 HS, the new range can print up to 15,597 square feet per hour, utilizing a new single cycle mode. Compatible with Inca’s range of application specific robotic handling systems, and incorporating ‘30 second’ job set up and ‘single cycle’ printing mode, the new HS range is said to deliver a‘step change’ in inkjet printing. The OnsetX HS launch is partnered with a new Fujifilm inkjet range, Uvijet OX. Uvijet OX features a new ink technology developed and manufactured at Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems in the U.K., designed for the Onset family of printers to print on rigid plastic media at high
The new OnsetX HS series is available now and distributed exclusively in North America by Fujifilm.
speeds.The addition of the new ‘single cycle’ print mode to the OnsetX HS, made possible by optimizing the print jetting profiles and jetting frequencies, means the new HS range can print at speeds up to 15,597 square feet per hour – more than 50 percent higher than previously published throughput figures. As well, the intelligent bonding properties of the new Uvijet OX ink is open up a new range of applications and possibilities in markets where the demand is growing for shorter run printing on corrugated board, packaging and non-PVC rigid plastics. Onand off-loading systems, UV shutter alignment and table skin adjustments have all been automated, reducing operator intervention and bringing job set-up time down from an average of 15 minutes to around 30 seconds. Inca Digital’s own research in the field suggests this will substantially increase machine capacity and utilization in “real world” situations.
Mutoh DH-21 dyesublimation ink
Mutoh America describes its new DH-21 dye-sublimation ink as a high-load performance ink designed to achieve highdensity colours with less ink consumption. Compatible with ValueJets 1948WX, 1638WX, 1938WX and 1624WX printers, the ink boasts a range of features, including: high transferability, consistent colours under various lighting conditions, versatility in media usage, and the ability to print on a wide range of media thicknesses. Customers can choose between four CMYK colours in 1000-ml or 1-litre bags.
swissQprint Karibu
Karibu, swissQprint’s first rollto-roll printer, made its public debut at FESPA 2019. Available internationally this fall, the UV inkjet printer delivers a maximum print width of 3.4 metres and features a lightbox next to the printing area for on-the-spot inspection of back-
lit prints. For users who regularly print in parallel, swissQprint offers a dual roll option capable of handling two rolls each up to 1.6 metres wide, doubling Karibu’s productivity. The roll holders are split into two sections with each half of the shaft driven individually, which swissQprint says will help ensure optimum web tension on both rolls. The system’s mesh kit comes integrated with the print bed for processing permeable substrates, as well as full bleed printing. There is neither additional setup work beforehand nor cleaning afterwards, swissQprint explains. A mouse click by the operator
safe to use in critical places such as hospitals and schools.
Mimaki JFX200-2513 EX
Mimaki in April announced the new JFX200-2513 EX UVLED flatbed printer, which it says has adopted a new draft mode that enables a maximum print speed of up to 12 boards per hour. Its three staggered printheads also allow for simultaneous printing without sacrificing speed, Mimaki says, even when using white and clear inks. This model boasts faster mechanical motors and a vacuum foot pedal that gives users the ability to load or unload various substrates quicker and
sends the Karibu print beam –which is movable in the X direction – from its standard position to the mesh position; printing can then start immediately. Karibu has 136 keys ranged across the print bed width, like a piano. Each one opens or closes a vacuum channel to help eliminate air leakage in the gap between dual rolls. A light tap on the switches using a fingertip is all the user action required to open or close the entire vacuum area width within four seconds, also known as the Tip Switch vacuum. swissQprint has developed an ink set specifically for the new Karibu. The cured ink layer is flexible to help suit “all imaginable roll media,” the company says. The inks are NVC-free and Greenguard Gold certified, making them
more effectively. Mimaki engineers developed a 2.5D print function for the JFX200-2513 EX, the company explains, noting that 2.5D printing allows users to create dimensional textured graphics up to 0.5 mm in height using greyscale, while being compatible with RasterLink6 Plus software. Combined with Mimaki Clear Control, the function aims to leverage Mimaki’s LUS clear inks to remove bubbles and create sharper edges. The JFX200-2513 EX can print onto media up to 98.4 inches wide x 51.1 inches long x 1.96 inches thick, for a range of applications such as rigid signage, wayfinding, decorative panels, and POPs. It utilizes Greenguard Gold inks in fourand six-colour configurations, plus available white, clear and primer.
Mutoh DH-21 dye-sublimation inks aim to deliver high-density colours with less ink consumption.
The Karibu features a lightbox next to the printing area for on-the-spot inspection and quality control.
Roland DG VersaEXPRESS RF-640 8 Colour
Roland DG has launched the Roland VersaEXPRESS RF640 8 Colour eco-solvent printer, describing it as a “game-changing device that offers the widest colour gamut” in its class for outdoor durable graphics. Powered by ErgoSoft Roland Edition 2 Special Plus RIP, the RF-640 8 Colour features CMYK plus light black, red, green and orange ink for high quality prints and superaccurate colour matching capabilities, Roland DG says. Up to 99 percent of Pantone+ Solid Coated is within gamut, the company says, adding that the RF-640 8 Colour is designed to accurately colour match and reproduce colours
normally difficult to achieve. red, green and orange ink extend the range of achievable colours across the colour spectrum, and with light black deliver “eye-popping colour, exceptional skin tones and smooth gradients.” Roland DG explains the RF-640 8 Colour is ideal for interior décor applications, fine art and image reproduction, whether supplying to hotel chains, museums, galleries, entertainment spaces or offices.
EFI VUTEk h
Electronics For Imaging unveiled its next-generation hybrid flatbed/roll platform technology called the VUTEk h series printers.The news comes shortly after the introduction of
The EFI VUTEk h series of 3.2-metre wide hybrid LED printers feature new, high-velocity 7-picolitre UltraDrop Technology greyscale printheads.
its VUTEk FabriVU 340i, an aqueous soft signage printer. Designed for high-volume production of premium signage and graphics, the new VUTEk h series of 3.2-metre wide hybrid LED printers feature new, high-velocity 7-picolitre UltraDrop Technology greyscale printheads. The printers offer four- and eightcolour printing modes plus white, as well as five-layer print capability in a single pass. The VUTEk h3 model has a maximum throughput of up to 74 boards per hour, while the h5 model, which is available direct from EFI or as field upgrade to the h3 model, can produce up to 109 boards per hour.
Fujifilm superwide Acuity Ultra
The superwide UV roll-to-roll Acuity Ultra printer from Fujifilm was presented at SGIA Expo 2018 in Las Vegas. Acuity Ultra boasts increased size and quality for the production of high-end interior graphics for interior and exterior applications, such as exhibition graphics, point-of-purchase displays, high-value graphic art and indoor backlit displays, says Fujifilm. The newest superwide UV printers from the company, the series utilizes Fujifilm’s new Uvijet GS inks and with a 3.5 pl drop size, the grand format Acuity Ultra is designed for the high-end indoor display market, especially for luxury brands, with quality comparable to litho, Fujifilm states. The Uvijet GS ink series, developed specifically for use with the Acuity Ultra series, produces a low-build ink film and is described as delivering “excellent coverage and adhesion, high density vibrant backlits, and a durable finish.”
HP DesignJet Z
HP’s DesignJet Z6 and Z9+ Printer series are both available in 24-inch and 44-inch formats. HP explains a new vertical trimmer is featured on select models to optimize output in addition to other technologies, supporting applications ranging from professional photoquality prints to retailer signage, which the company says will result in 2.5 times faster printing and 20 percent faster post-production. The series also features new colour technology, HP Pixel Control, which the company says is designed to achieve true-to-colour prints and an expanded colour gamut with RGB HP Vivid Photo Inks, featuring chromatic red, chromatic green, and chromatic blue, the i1 embedded spectrophotometer and HP Pixel Control. The company explains combining HP HDNA with HP Pixel Control enables users to get high image quality with nine inks versus 12 compared to the previous generation HP DesignJet.
The new printers also offer HP Professional Pantone Emulation to match brand identity colours. HP also announced enhanced HP DesignJet Z6x10 printers for a better user and output experience, it says. Boasting a new fresh design, the new printers have labels that indicate the printer colours for simplified ease-of-use. The printers have new printheads and Chromatic Red Ink formulation, which HP says will deliver sharp detail and precise line quality. As well, the new printers will have 500 GB HDD with more virtual memory to process complex and graphic intensive prints.
The RF-640 8 Colour achieves up to 99% of Pantone+ Solid Coated within gamut, according to Roland DG.
The 44-inch HP DesignJet Z6 and Z9+ with dual roll and vertical trimmer are now available.
Durst P5 printing systems
Durst has launched the P5 350 and P5 210 printing systems for large-format based on the P5 technology platform at FESPA 2019. Durst also presented the P5 250 HS printing system at the show, unveiled in 2018 and has since been further developed. In addition to the new printing systems, Durst introduced its own modular software solutions – Durst Workflow, Durst Analytics and Durst Smart Shop – to provide customers with an automated production unit from ‘pixel to output.’ With P5 350 (print width up to 3.5 metres) and P5 210 (print width up to 2.1 metres), Durst is expanding its P5 portfolio with two new hybrid solutions. The new printing systems can print on both roll media and boards. With a multi-roll option for the P5 350/210, users can even load rolls during printing to help reduce setup times and increase efficiency. The printing systems are equipped with LED technology and are supplied with integrated Durst Workflow Print software and the monitoring tool Durst Analytics.
Both print systems deliver print quality of up to 1,200 dpi, multi-track options for up to
six parallel boards, automatic media width and thickness detection, foldable and smoothrunning roller tables and an ink refill system. Both systems can be equipped with peripheral systems for 3/4 automation or full automation. With the further development of the HS Series, the P5 portfolio offers two industrial printing systems with print widths of up to 2.5 metres. The P5 250 HS and P5 200 HS feature MEMS printhead technology and achieve print speeds of up to 600 m2/ hour with 5pl print quality. The company notes that the printing systems can also print on roll media and boards, and are designed to enable sensorcontrolled double-sided printing on roll media.
Agfa Jeti Tauro H3300 LED
The Jeti Tauro H3300 UVLED Inkjet Printing System from Agfa Graphics made its North American debut at SGIA 2018. Described as an UV inkjet system designed to support single or dual master rolls for uninterrupted printing, the Jeti Tauro H3300 LED boasts four levels of automation to choose from so printing companies can configure the engine to their specific needs: manual loading and unloading,
master roll-to-roll, semi-automation, and full automation. Featuring a resolution of 635 x 1200 dpi in all print modes, Jeti Tauro H3300 LED produces prints up to 130 inches wide at speeds up to 4,676 sqft/hour.
HP Latex R1000
HP Inc. last summer expanded its hybrid HP Latex R printer series with the R1000 printer, offering a single set of inks for a range of flexible and rigid media including applications for retail, outdoor signage, window graphics, events and exhibitions, and decorations. The printer comes with three litre-ink cartridges, compared to the larger model with five litres, and is designed to accommodate materials up to 1.64 metres/64 inches wide and up to 5 cm/2-inches thick while the R2000 prints up to 2.5-metres/98-inches wide and up to 5-cm/2-inches thick. The R1000 printer features HP Thermal Inkjet Printheads and redesigned HP Latex Inks for a “vibrant” colour gamut on rigid while preserving media
gloss and feel with no smell, says HP, adding that HP Latex White Ink delivers the glossiest white on transparent and coloured media and achieves no waste between white print jobs. As well, the removable printheads can be stored in an offline rotating chamber for automatic recirculation and nozzle checks. Meanwhile, the belt workflow, HP explains, enables customers to meet short deadlines with up to 614 sqft/h with up to 60-kg/150-lb rolls for flexible printing.
Epson T-Series
Epson has begun shipping its new high-speed, wide-format SureColor T-Series plotters –the Epson SureColor T3170 24-inch desktop printer and the SureColor T5170 36-inch floor-standing printer. Marking the expansion of the T-Series product line to the low-tomid-range CAD printer market, the wireless printers feature integrated wireless and Wi-Fi direct connectivity, and can print blueprints, line drawings and classroom posters.
The Agfa Jeti Tauro H3300 UV-LED made its North American debut at SGIA.
DRIVEN TO DELIVER
Backed by a fifth-generation family-owned company, Spicers Canada is a leading distributor of commercial print and business papers, specialty products, graphic solutions, sign & display media, and industrial packaging supplies. Partnering with trusted global manufacturers, we source, stock, market and distribute a diverse range of quality products while adding value to our customers through an efficient supply chain.
Established in 1904, we’re proud to carry on a tradition of exceptional products and friendly expertise.
Vancouver / Edmonton / Calgary / Saskatoon / Regina / Winnipeg / Toronto / Sudbury / Kitchener / Belleville / Ottawa / Montreal / Quebec / Dartmouth / Mt. Pearl
We’ve invested in decentralized leadership that empowers our 15 regional units to respond quickly to customers’ unique needs with tailor-made solutions.
With over 175 sales professionals, we’re passionate about adding value to our customers and committed to being a dependable partner.
Paper products
Banner & film
Pressure sensitive adhesives
Textiles
Rigid board
Laminates
Finishing accessories
Ink & Toner
Equipment
Portable display
SYSTEMS
SERVICES
Technical Services
Colour management
Print Media
Consultation
Custom ICC Profiling
TURN HEADS AND OPEN MINDS
Spicers brings the exciting world of wide format to you, with solutions for larger-than-life applications. Whatever the format or application, we’ll work with you to get the most out of your creative potential - the sky’s the limit.
Shop Anytime, Anywhere GOspicers.ca
Access product information and view up-to-dateinventory and pricing 24/7. Streamline your procurement by creating customized shopping lists, view order status and order history with a click of the mouse. Download the free GOspicers app today!
