The range is based on Konica Minolta KM1800i head technology and, according to managing director John Corrall, the units are priced from £70,000-£300,000 depending on specification.
ColourPrint HiQ offers a native resolution of 600dpi, but IIJ said the modules deliver an apparent resolution of over 1,000dpi by utilising asymmetric screening technology.
IIJ has already sold and shipped two of the devices to customers in Germany, with two more due to be shipped in November. All these customers have been users of IIJ's MonoPrint modules, debuted at LabelExpo Europe in 2015.
The new range was formally launched last month at LabelExpo in Belgium and at Pack Expo in the US.
“Once we launched the monochrome module at LabelExpo 2015, it was probably around 12 months before they started shipping to customers,” said Corrall. “By the time the machines were getting installed, customers wanted full-colour versions, which is why they got first priority on the ColourPrint engines.
“It is quite a broad range, with labels printable on the wider modules while the narrower ones might be ideal for passports, debit cards or ID cards. I also had some conversations about packaging with interested customers at LabelExpo this year.
“People are looking for inkjet solutions for their products and not just labels, but direct-to-product printing as well. Our advanced, bespoke systems are real game changers.”
Speeds of up to 200m/min are achievable on the ColourPrint HiQs, enabling them to add digital functionality to analogue printing or processing equipment. The new modules are available in a range of print widths from 75mm to 520mm.
IIJ opened a new US office in Golden, Colorado, earlier in the year to run under president of US operations Graham Vlcek. It replaces a Las Vegas office that ran from 2011-2016 though Corrall indicated the company would be “far more serious about the US this time”.
The company also has a one-man operation representing their interests in South Africa and Corrall plans to open a service office in China to meet the needs of their “solid customer based” in the east.
Most of IIJ’s 57-strong team is based in Swavesey, near Cambridge, where plans for a 930sqm expansion are set to be carried out this month. The company turns over £7.6m.
