PRE-MEDIA

Barbieri Hall 7, Stand A23
Italian spectrophotometer manufacturer Barbieri will be highlighting its SpectroPad, Spectro LFP and Spectro Swing products. The SpectroPad is a portable spectrophotometer that can measure colour on a wide variety of wide-format media, while the Spectro LFP is a versatile automatic transmission/reflection spectrophotometer, specially designed for automatic measurements of most materials in large-format, flatbed and industrial print.

Esko
Hall 8b, Stand A23
On display on Esko’s stand will be an array of software solutions addressing packaging artwork, design and pre-press, colour management, workflow automation and process integration. With the introduction of Suite 12, a major update release of Esko’s workflow software offering for the packaging, label, sign making and display industries, the focus is on adding value for the user by introducing new productivity and efficiency benefits. Visitors to the stand will learn about Esko’s HD Flexo technology.

Fujifilm
Hall 8b, Stand A25-1 and A25-3
The company will showcase its XMF ColorPath, a cloud-based colour calibration system designed to help maintain consistent colour standards. XMF ColorPath aims to help printers reduce waste by ensuring colour is correct before printing begins, through press calibration, and by continually monitoring colour during printing. When used with Fujifilm’s ‘Pro-File’ brand of screen and UV inkjet inks, which have been optimised to facilitate cross-process colour control, the company says printers with both screen and wide-format equipment have a "simple and reliable way" of managing compliance to target printing standards.

GMG
Hall 4, Stand B25/Hall 7, Stand B11
The company will showcase the Fespa-launched ProductionSuite, which it claims to be the "most comprehensive production solution on the market" for the sector (see Must-see, p33). The modular system includes SmartProfiler, which can identically align several printers of similar type and enables precision processing of spot colours; RIP, which runs independently from the Editor; and PrintStation, which can combine individual jobs to ensure optimum material use and cutting sequences. All of these elements are fully connected to each other for a seamless automated workflow. The company’s range of colour management software will also be on show.

HP
Hall 7a, Stand E7
HP will highlight its new cloud-based SmartStream Production Analyser tool for its FB7500 and FB7600 industrial flatbed printers. The SmartStream software enables customers to view realtime production information on each machine they run, as well as historical reports on press usage. This allows the operator to analyse ink, media and waste consumption.

For more information on pre-media at Drupa, see the preview in the 13 April issue of PrintWeek

PRESSES

Canon/Océ
Hall 8a, Stand B8-1
With two leading wide-format manufacturers sharing a stage, the attractions are plentiful on stand for those interested in this sector. A highlight on stand will be the new Arizona 318 GL model (see Must-see, p37), but machines also on show include Océ’s Arizona 360GT, Arizona 550XT, CS9160, PlotWave 350 and ColorWave 650 alongside Canon’s imagePrograf iPF8300, Canon imagePrograf iPF8300S, and Canon imagePrograf iPF9100. The hope from the companies is that visitors to Drupa will be looking to develop their businesses through investment in both the long and short terms. "Those who invest now for the future in a stable market will be very successful going forwards and enjoy additional growth opportunities," says Dominic Fahy, Océ UK’s business group director, Display Graphics and Imaging Supplies. "The Canon Group, of which Océ is an important part, is focused on being the number one in the market for wide-format and, therefore, will develop strategies to achieve that and, given the substantial investment in R&D, you can expect many surprises and even more significant increases in the strength of the product portfolios that are available in the future."

D-gen
Hall 6, Stand D81
The Korean textiles printer manufacturer will be using Drupa to showcase its printers, inks and consumables. The company will be highlighting the credentials of its press range that includes the Teleios GT four-colour and eight-colour machines and the Atrix GT series.

Durst
Hall 6, Stand B39 and C60
Durst is promising that some "exciting" developments will be on show on its Drupa booth, but at the time of going to press, it was playing things very close to its chest. However, one launch we do now know about is the new Rho P10 series, which got its US debut at ISA in Orlando last week. The company says the P10 machines are the "most versatile, productive 10-picoliter UV printers available with 1,000dpi resolution". The printers are designed specifically for large-format print providers looking for a way to output a wide range of hand-held and eye-level materials, including backlit signage, point-of-sale displays and small packages, cost-effectively and at production speeds. The P10 Series is comprised of the Rho P10 200 2m (80in) and Rho P10 250 2.5m (98in) flatbed/hybrid printers, plus the Rho P10 320R 3.2m (126in) roll-to-roll printer. "Once again, Durst has raised the bar with this exciting new family of 10-picoliter, production-level digital printers," says Christopher Howard, senior vice-president of sales and marketing for Durst US. "They’ll introduce Durst quality and productivity to a whole new segment of sign-makers and print providers, and provide new options to wide- and grand-format print providers who might already be Durst customers." Keep an eye on printweek.com for more details.

EFI
Hall 5, Stand C1
EFI is keeping the majority of its Drupa launches firmly under wraps, but it has decided to let slip the details of one machine, the latest addition to its range of UV-curable wide-format inkjet printers, the R3225, which is designed for soft-signage applications. The 3.2-meter roll-to-roll, UV inkjet printer offers "superior image quality, low total cost of ownership, and access to the widest range of flexible substrates at production speed", according to the manufacturer. Using true eight-level variable-drop grayscale technology, EFI claims the R3225 produces minimal VOC levels compared to solvent-based printers and less heat than latex, reducing owner energy costs.

Epson
Hall 5, Stand A1-1 and A1-2
After its launch at Fespa, Epson is taking the four-colour SureColor SC-S30600 to Drupa and will be demonstrating multiple large-format applications on the booth. This printer features the latest Epson TFP Micro Piezo printhead and uses Epson’s new UltraChrome GS2 inkset to deliver flexibility for multiple POS, display, signage and décor applications. Epson says it comes in cheaper than any printer in its class and has the lowest energy consumption. Also on show will be the latest models in the range of 24-64in width aqueous inkjet Epson Stylus Pro printers, which the company says demonstrates considerable flexibility for pre-press and in-house agency proofing, short-run display and package prototyping applications.

ESC
Hall 4, E16
ESC will be showcasing its extensive range of wide-format machines, which includes both digital UV and solvent products. In the former category, machines on show will include the Daytona T600 UV, while in the latter category, the Direct Jet Pro Series will be featured. The company will also offer information on its software and consumables portfolio.

Fujifilm
Hall 8b, Stand A25-1 and A25-3
In the Wide Format Print Zone area of its stand, Fujifilm will be showcasing its range of flatbed and roll-fed inkjet printers. Highlighting the "productivity, quality and performance" of the Inca Onset S40 will be a particular aim, according to the company, along with a demonstration of the "quality and flexibility" of the company’s new Acuity LED 1600 hybrid printer (see Must-see, below). Completing the range will be the Acuity Advance platform and Uvistar II roll-fed printers, alongside the company’s Euromedia range of media.

Gandy Digital
Hall 9, Stand E43
Gandy will launch its new 2x3m printer, the Domin8tor, which will sit alongside the current 8x4m flatbed printer the Pred8tor. A "true flatbed" with a zoned vacuum bed area, the Domin8tor has four colours, with the option of a fifth white or clear ink, and a variable dot size. The Pre8tor, meanwhile, is a flatbed/roll-to-roll hybrid with six-picoliter variable dot size giving greyscale capability and avoiding the need for more than four colours.

HP
Hall 7a, Stand E7
HP has been particularly busy with its pre-Drupa plans, unveiling 10 new or updated products at its own press conference in Israel in March. For wide-format print providers, the company has announced a white ink option for its Scitex FB7500 and FB7600 industrial flatbed printers as part of a series of enhancements to its large-format print portfolio (see Must-see, p34). The FB225 white Scitex ink is designed to work with the company’s recently-launched FB225 process colour Scitex inks, which can be used on the manufacturer’s FB7500 and FB7600 industrial flatbed printers. HP also revealed that from May, companies using its FB7500 and FB7600 machines can invest in an automatic loader from manufacturer Hostert. This automatic media loader is claimed to help improve turnaround times when producing long runs.

InkTec
Hall 3, Stand F54
The Korean manufacturer will be releasing a new product at Drupa, but as yet there is no word what it might be (keep an eye on printweek.com for announcements). What we do know about the company’s stand is that it will feature the Jetrix series of UV printers that InkTec says are "perfect for photographic, graphic and industrial applications". Highlighting the strong vacuum with automatic power adjustment that gives stable printing, the company emphasises the capability of the printers to print white, varnish and primers.

Matan Digital Printers
Hall 9, Stand A56
The Israel-based press manufacturer will be promoting its super-wide format BarakIQ range of printers at the show, which incorporate parallel drop size printing that enables both 20-picoliter and 40- picoliter drops in the same pass.

Memjet
Hall 5, Stand E28
The printhead technology manufacturer will represent itself at the show, a welcome visible presence as normally its inkjet solutions are hidden under the bonnets of its OEM partners’ machines. It will be giving special attention to its Waterfall printheads, which each comprise 70,400 nozzles and are capable of firing up to 750m drops of ink per second.

Mimaki
Hall 9, Stand C21
Mimaki will be showing its latest generation latex printers the Mimaki JV400LX at Drupa, which is capable of producing prints at 900dpi in CMYK, LM, LC as well as offering a white ink option to reach even wider colour gamuts (see Must-see, p38). Mimaki will also be showing the newest addition to the Mimaki UJF3042 series UV-LED flatbed printers, the ‘High Gap’ UJF3042HG, which is capable of printing up to 150mm-high objects for the promotional and proofing markets. Mike Horsten, Mimaki Europe marketing manager, says: "Drupa is a different type of show, although our roots lay in the sign and graphics markets, our industrial printing products are clearly suited for the Drupa visitors. Mimaki has been expanding the product lines with Industrial products that are geared to the commercial graphic markets and we will keep on investing and creating solutions for this new and exciting market."

Mutoh
Hall 9, Stand A44
Mutoh is keeping its cards close to its chest for the show, but it says that its recently launched products will definitely get an airing on its stand. These will include the ValueJet 1324 54in and ValueJet 1624 64in printers, which are targeted at the sign and display market and are suited for the production of long-term outdoor posters, signs and banners, backlit signage, point-of sale displays, vehicle graphics, as well as high-quality durable prints for indoor use. Incorporating new printhead technology and Mutoh’s award-winning Intelligent Interweaving print technology, the printers deliver typical production speeds of 14.5m/hr and top speeds up to 29m/hr.

Ricoh
Hall 8a, Stand B46-1 and B46-3
Ricoh will showcase the newest addition to its wide-format colour inkjet range: the Ricoh Aficio CW 2200SP. It is designed to address the growing CAD market and features Ricoh’s Liquid Gel ink. it is aimed at a variety of industries, including manufacturing, architecture, engineering, construction, regional planning, building and product design. Ricoh says it will also meet the needs of corporate print rooms and quick print operations. "Drupa 2008 was Ricoh’s de-facto debut in production printing but Ricoh has 35 years of heritage in wide-format plotters," says Gareth Parker, value proposition manager for Production Print at Ricoh UK. "Wide-format print for the CAD or display sector is well recognised as a useful revenue generator and growth tactic for commercial printers. It delivers extra profitability quickly and with the addition of this new plotter Ricoh has further extended its ability to support customers’ growth." Parker adds that the colour print quality of the Ricoh Aficio MP CW2200SP, along with features such as an in-built colour scanner that allows hand-drawn documents to be digitised, means Ricoh expects it to find a place in print-for-pay environments.

Roland
Hall 9, Stand E4 and E7
With new product features and the central theme ‘Roland Adds Value to Print’, Roland says it is highlighting a plethora of print applications during Drupa 2012. The VersaCamm Print&Cut series with metallic and white inks and the complete range of Eco UV machines will be on stand, including the VersaStudio BN-20 and VersaCamm VS series. Print&Cut systems, which range from 500mm to 1,620mm wide, can be equipped with four, six or eight colours including metallic silver and white and are targeted at general sign-making applications, such as window decoration, vehicle stickers, displays, posters, pop displays, labels, signs and heat transfers. Other than machinery for sign-making applications, Roland is focusing on the different markets where large-format digital printing offers new opportunities, such as design, packaging, prototyping, label and proofing industry, especially in relation to the efficiency of Print&Cut systems and special colours.

Screen
Hall 9, Stand A40
Screen is launching a new wide-format inkjet printer at Drupa. No details were available at the time of going to press, but it will be worth stopping by the stand to see what will be unveiled. Keep an eye on printweek.com for any updates that may appear before the show begins.

SwissQPrint
Hall 9, Stand C57
Information will be provided on stand about the latest raft of improvements to the 2.5m-wide Impala flatbed range, including a thermoforming ink for 3D-effect applications and the addition of three new spot colours. The company also offers the Oryx range of printers. "We had many customers asking us for the 3D-effect capability," says product manager Maurus Zeller. "We see the 3D signage area as a niche, but one with lots of potential and with this solution, printers do not need two separate proceses, they can print both standard and 3D signage on one machine."

Teckwin
Hall 6, Stand D62
The Chinese manufacturer will be promoting its TeckStorm UV and TeckPro UV machines at the show. The latter features production speeds of up to 92m²/hr and has a double-sided back-lit function.

Xaar
Various Stands
At Drupa, Xaar’s technology will be at the heart of a variety of new and market-leading digital inkjet printers demonstrated by its OEM partners including: Agfa Graphics, Durst, EFI, FFEI, INX, Jetset and SPG Prints. Xaar’s patented TF Technology combined with Hybrid Side Shooter architecture inside the Xaar 1001 have been the choice for many print applications. Fluids flow directly past the back of the printhead nozzles, which ensures they are continuously primed to deliver maximum production uptime. The company adds that its Drop Optimisation technology delivers consistent drop formation to deliver high-quality binary and greyscale print.

Xanté
Hall 5, Stand D36

Xanté has yet to reveal the full details of its Drupa line-up, but it would reveal that central to its proposition is to be the recently launched Excelagraphix 4200. The 42in EG4200 is powered by Memjet Waterfall printhead technology and the company says it combines full-colour capability with high output speeds of up to 18m/min at 1,600x800dpi.

Teckwin
Hall 6, Stand D62
The company says that its Teckut CNC Router will be on show. The machine is suitable for plastic or metal fabrication, sign-building, tradeshow booth building, woodworking, cabinet making or any other business that requires high-quality routing and cutting.

Zünd
Hall 9, Stand C3
Zünd will present the brand-new S3 line of cutters. With a "revolutionary" direct-drive system, the S3 is built for speed and the company says it excels with unprecedented performance at its pricepoint. The S3 is capable of processing a wide range of materials, including textiles, vinyls, films, thinner plastics, and cardboard, with smaller, space-saving footprints and ultra-fast Z- and T-axis control. In addition, several monitors will be showing various unique features of the Zünd Cut Center software. Also on show will be the Zünd Board Handling system.

For more about what is happening in post-press at Drupa, see the 27 April issue of PrintWeek

Folex
Hall 9, Stand C56
Folex will display its range of materials for repro applications such as Reprojet P HD for pigment inks. Also now included is a high-performance version for eco and solvent printers. This forms part of a series of films, canvas, fine art papers, adhesives and clings with coatings for latex, eco/solvent, UV and dye- and pigment-based inks used in large-format inkjet printers. Also on show will be a new version of its canvas for the production of photography and fine art: Folajet Canvas P-W. It is an enhanced version, offering a high white point without degrading the archival properties of the image. The coating offers fast drying times and has good smear resistance.

Fujifilm
Hall 8b, Stand A25-1 and A25-3
Fujifilm Uvijet branded UV inks will be used on stand and will include a new Uvijet ink specifically developed to support the low energy characteristics of the Acuity LED 1600 printer. The Fujifilm Uvijet range also includes inks that support high adhesion for a diversified range of applications, a flexible ink, which exhibits excellent performance in post press operations, and a highly ductile and super-flexible ink for decorated forming. Fujifilm says it will make additional announcements in these areas in the run up to the show.

InkTec
Hall 3, Stand F54
The Korean consumables supplier will demonstrate its range of ink and paper products at the show. The company offers both dye and pigment-based inks, alongside refill kits and cartridges, and also has a substrate range.

Inx Digital International
Hall 3, Stand A50
This year’s Drupa will mark the first time Inx Digital, Inx International Ink and parent company to both Sakata INX will all be on the same stand. Susie Mendelssohn, international marketing manager for Inx Digital International, explained that this move would strengthen the digital ink offering of all three companies. "This will be the first show that we are all coming together to show a unified front and at the same time emphasise our strengths in traditional, digital, and visual communications markets. With such a upward trend for traditional printers turning to digital it made sense for us to join together to exhibit our current capabilities and further highlight applications and technologies we are focusing on for the future," she says.

Sihl
Hall 11, Stand E62
The company will showcase its range of media for wide-format media, including transparent and photographic substrates for use across wide-format platforms.

For more about what is happening in consumables at Drupa, see the 20 April issue of PrintWeek

Fujifilm Acuity LED 1600

The eight-colour printer, which was unveiled in September, can print at resolutions of up to 1,200dpi and, according to the manufacturer, has attracted significant interest from UK customers since its launch.

It offers production speeds of up to 20m²/hr for applications such as posters and POS materials.

Fujifilm is targeting the 1,610mm-wide Acuity LED 1600 at companies producing short-run print jobs, such as window displays. The company is keen to stress that the UV-curable inks the machine uses emits no VOCs.

According to Fujifilm, these inks have fast-drying properties on a broad range of substrates such as PET, acrylic and polycarbonate.

Graham Leeson, marketing communications manager of graphic systems at Fufifilm, said the combination of quality and productivity puts the LED 1600 at "the forefront" of development.

He said: "This new machine features the latest advances in LED UV technology, so we will be putting it through its paces to demonstrate its quality, performance and versatility."

Visitors to GMG’s stand will be able to check out the firm’s "best-in-class production solutions", including GMG ProductionSuite for high-volume wide-format users.

The company has marked its foray into the wide-format print sector with colour management software that can drive more than 800 print and cutting machines.

GMG claims the product is "the most complete solution in the market" for indoor and outdoor advertising, sign and super-wide format printing.

According to the company, the modular GMG software, which comprises GMG ColorServer and SmartProfiler, achieves quick and efficient colour results to match prints produced by other printing processes and on different substrates.

Brand new for Drupa is also a spot-colour simulation tool for packaging printers that it claims marks a "breakthrough" in calculating profiles for simulating the combined printing of both spot and process colours.

GMG managing director Ian Scott says: "Many of our innovations are the result of valuable user feedback.

"Thanks in particular to our close relationships with our clients, our solutions are not abstract laboratory developments, they are tools that offer very specific customer benefits, and therefore offer real advantages in productivity."

HP Scitex FB7600

Building upon a successful machine such as the 2009 FB7500 model requires enough developments and enhancements to attract new customers to the brand and existing users to upgrade.

Although launched in October last year, the 3.2m-wide flatbed printer has already received a myriad of new features to add to its existing offering.

Brand new developments include the ability to print with the FB225 white Scitex ink set. This enables customers to produce a range of applications, including backlit signage, corrugated packaging, as well as window displays.

Other features include an optional multisheet loading table that enables the simultaneous loading of up to four sheets, while an ability to handle smaller sheets reduces post-print cutting and finishing.

Workflow and productivity improvements include inline saturation control and automatic job preparation with hot folders and job queues.

The FB7600 can print on a range of rigid and flexible substrates, such as corrugated board, foam board, Dibond and plastics for both indoor and outdoor applications

The 1.25x2.5m Arizona 318 GL machine offers three print modes, capable of  output of up to 18m²/hr in express operation. This speed drops to 12.2m²/hr in production mode and to a minimum of
8.4m²/hr in quality mode.

According to Dominic Fahy, business group director at Océ UK, the 318 GL, which costs between €89,000 and €101,000, will lower the barriers of entry for commercial printers into high-quality flatbed production.

"The Arizona 318 GL couples high quality with a lower capital investment than other models in the family. Customers have been demanding a machine such as this so we anticipate it will prove popular with visitors," he added.

Customers can opt for the standard configuration 318 GL or add a factory-installed white ink option that enables companies to underprint for non-white substrates as well as over-printing for back-lit applications.

According to Océ, more than 90% of Arizona sales since 2008 have been specified with white ink functionality to open up "high-value, high-margin opportunities".

The Arizona 318 GL will also be available with a roll media option that allows users to print onto flexible media such as vinyl, self-adhesive vinyl, and paper.

With this release, launched at Fespa last month, Mimaki became the first manufacturer to build upon the HP Designjet example by releasing its own latex solution. The JV400LX range consists of two printers – the 1,300mm-wide JV400-130LX and the 1,600mm-wide JV400-160LX. Both offer a top print speed of 18m²/hr. The JV400 LX range will use the company’s new latex ink set, which is claimed to use a low curing heat, consuming less energy and enabling the machines to print on a wider range of materials. They are also the first to feature a white ink set that complements the machine’s other six colours. The JV400 LX machines can also take advantage of Mimaki’s RasterLink6 RIP software that enables the deposition of three layers of ink in one pass, including a base layer of white ink for printers that support white ink.

What the machines’ presence at Drupa will bring is a sense that rather than being an HP anomaly, the move into latex print is actually a viable open market in which other manufacturers can compete.  And HP welcomed the competition, with Ronen Zioni, marketing director at HP’s graphics solutions business, admitting "it gives the customer more choice, but that is healthy and means we must be at the top of our game".  With the great and good of print perusing and comparing the companies’ offerings, the likelihood of further competition in the future seems likely, and potentially Drupa could be the start of a real trend in the latex print arena as a result.

Take a look at PrintWeek's accompanying wide-format Drupa feature here