The manufacturer said the Karibu S is targeted at printers who run multiple shifts to produce large volumes of items such as banners, non-durable posters and XL billboards.

The machine features a defined printhead configuration to achieve high throughput, with four heads in operation for each process colour.

Like SwissQprint’s other large-format printers, the Karibu S has nine dual-configurable colour channels, so one channel is left free – typically configured with white to print items such as transparent films.

Speaking at an online launch event for the new products yesterday (24 March), SwissQprint key account manager Adriano Gut said: “Speed is of the essence in this day and age, but to compete in this ever-changing market you need to be flexible, offer great quality and have your costs under control, and that sums up the Karibu S.

“This dedicated UV roll-to-roll printer offers a maximum width of 3.4m and can take rolls of up to 200kg. Dedicated to speed, it uses 16 of a maximum 18 printheads for CMYK, resulting in a top speed of 330sqm/hr – and that quality is sellable.

“Our sophisticated ink allows you to print on all sorts of different substrates – paper, banner, mesh, self-adhesive vinyl, polypropylene or fabrics.”

As another new, optional feature to increase productivity, both the Karibu - which was launched in 2019 - and the Karibu S can now handle automatic double-sided printing for media printed on both sides, such as blockout banners, ceiling hangers, stretch banners and posters.

An integrated camera system and QR codes printed next to the subject enable this process to take place automatically.

The codes ensure that subjects printed on the reverse side are positioned in exactly the right position, so that both sides line up even if the material is not inserted accurately before printing on the reverse side, or if the roll is inserted in the opposite running direction.

This process is also supported by the Lory output software, which SwissQprint developed in-house.

Finally, SwissQprint has also launched new neon yellow and neon pink inks for UV printing, to enable users to enhance indoor applications such as campaign signage, POS displays, signposts, backlits, information signs and posters.

The inks, which are suitable for all of the manufacturer’s LED models, can be used on rigid substrates as well as roll materials.

The manufacturer said neon printing is fluorescent in black light, making it suitable for advertising and signage in trade show settings and themed environments, as well as club and party scenarios.

The new launches are all commercially available with immediate effect. Pricing details had not yet been disclosed at the time of writing.