EFI featured some new innovations at the ISA International Sign Expo.
EFI's lineup includes the:
•EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro, a new, high-speed digital UV press available this quarter offering the productivity of screen printing and image quality approaching offset.
•EFI VUTEk QS2 Pro, a 2-meter, UV hybrid printer that combines variable-drop grayscale printing and white ink print capabilities with VUTEk production speeds.
•EFI VUTEk GS2000lx Pro, a printer that gives PSPs the ability to produce more applications on more substrates with LED UV-curing technology, white ink and grayscale printing.
•EFI VUTEk GS3250r, a 3.2-meter, roll-to-roll UV printer with true 1,000 dpi capabilities to help PSPs expand to offer high-margin, closely viewed applications.
•EFI R3225, an entry-level, UV roll-to-roll printer, shown in the Nazdar booth (#4121), that features output quality, substrate access and pricing that are unrivaled in its category.
•EFI H652, an entry-level, wide format hybrid printer, also in the Nazdar booth, offering near-photographic UV image quality and affordability.
• New Fiery® XF Version 5 with Web Control Center, a flexible and scalable high-speed digital front end and color management workflow for wide- to superwide-format production and proofing.
•SmartSign Analytics (SSA) technology demonstration, a new tool developed by EFI Online Print Solutions that captures and reports analytic data on signage viewership to help marketers measure the effectiveness of their efforts.
In addition to inkjet printing technologies at Sign Expo, attendees saw how they can eliminate touch points in their workflow, reduce waste, improve communication and maximize capacity utilisation using EFI's workflow and MIS/ERP products, including PrintSmith Vision business management software, Pace MIS technology and the Digital StoreFront web-to-print platform. EFI's booth features live demonstrations of its integrated inkjet workflow solutions, with production moving from Digital StoreFront through Pace to a Fiery XF digital front end and a VUTEk superwide-format printer.
Demonstration were also given to show how PSPs can digitally print thermoplastic sheets for subsequent forming into custom signs, P-O-P displays, vending/gaming panels and a host of consumer product and industrial applications, eliminating costly and time-consuming screen printing, hand-painting and vinyl lettering processes for thermoformed object decoration. The inks are designed for the new EFI VUTEk GS3250 Pro-TF and GS2000 Pro-TF printers, specially modified versions of the GS Pro models.
The new, patented eight-colour plus white inks provide excellent adhesion and outstanding retention of hue and opacity on both first- and second-surface deep-draw thermoformed applications, withstanding post-process heat forming, cutting and routing without chipping, cracking or flaking. Users also get the proven benefits of the EFI VUTEk GS Pro printer platform, with imaging resolutions up to 1,000 dpi and EFI's variable-drop grayscale technology.
EFI also announced the development of new inks for corrugated plastic printing. The inks solve inkjet adhesion problems that have previously limited digital printing's presence in the popular market for yard signs and other corrugated plastic products. The inks are compatible with all brands of white corrugated polypropylene, and will run on new VUTEk GS2000 Pro-CP and GS3250 Pro-CP printers, giving PSPs the ability to leverage the VUTEk GS Pro hybrid printer platform's high image quality and productivity.
Another new offering announced was the EFI VUTEk GS 3M Premium UV Inks for EFI VUTEk GS Pro series printers. GS Pro users the important benefit of the 3M MCS Warranty, which covers fading, cracking peeling and other aspects of graphic performance for the life of the graphic. Co-branded EFI and 3M inks for the VUTEk GS2000, GS3200, GS3250, GS3250r, GS5000r and EFI R3225 printers all qualify for the 3M MCS Warranty. The 3M MCS Warranty for VUTEk GS2000lx and GS3250lx LED UV-curing printers will be available in the near future.
EFI
www.efi.com
