LFP - Large-Format-Printing
SCREEN SHOWS FLEXIBILITY AND VERSATILITY AT SIGN & DIGITAL UK
Tuesday 28. April 2009 - Demonstrates 'direct to textile' UV printing for soft signs, banners and flags for the first time in the UK.
Screen is showing the exceptional quality of its award-winning wide format inkjet printer, the Truepress Jet2500UV at Sign & Digital UK. In addition to its ability to print on a range of rigid and flexible substrates, Screen demonstrates ‘direct to textile’ UV printing for the first time in the UK.
The versatility of the Truepress Jet2500, which is a powerful UV inkjet printer that can produce photographic quality on both rollfed and flatbed formats, sets new standards for sign and display production. A product of Screen’s extensive expertise in imaging, printing, inkjet and digital technology, the Truepress Jet2500UV is a sophisticated solution to satisfy the most demanding customer.
Not only does it have superb photographic reproduction, the resolution is such that it gives a particularly fine line to text, making it ideal for highly detailed backlit displays. The drop-on-demand, eight-level grayscale printhead supports a maximum output of 1,500 dpi and Screen’s exclusive screening technology ensures smooth gradation.
The Truepress Jet2500UV has true hybrid ability and can be used for numerous applications on a wide variety of rigid and flexible substrates. It is designed for markets that demand high-speed and high-quality results and can print up to seven colours, including a pre-white function.
Its ability to print on rigid substrates up to 50 mm thick, 2.5m wide and rolls up to 100m in length lends itself to printing on acrylic, glass, tiles, doors, blinds, plywood, ceramic tiles and corrugated plastic materials as well as textiles, vinyl and paper at speeds of up to 67.5 sq m per hour. The flexible roll-fed substrate can be used for posters, banners, billboards and vehicle wraps. There is a maximum production speed of up to 67.5 square m/hour, a choice of output resolutions up to 1500 dpi, and its six-colour ink-set of CMYKLcLm can be enhanced with the addition of a white option.
TEXTILE PRINTING DEBUT AT SIGN & DIGITAL
Using Screen’s own flexible UV-curable ink technology, display producers can now print direct to textiles for a wide variety of durable soft signs, banners and flags without having to resort to traditional two-stage dye sublimation processes.
The Truepress Jet2500UV uses Screen’s flexible UV-curable inks and drop-on-demand variable dot piezo-electric grayscale printheads to make it suitable for producing applications on virtually all roll-fed and sheet materials. To meet the growing demand for textile-based displays, these inks have been formulated with the correct levels of flexibility to make them ideal for printing direct onto fabrics without the need for machine modifications.
The precision achieved from the 6 picolitre droplets, in combination with the elasticity in the ink’s technology and the correct strength of UV curing, results in strong adhesion with no flaking and cracking. Typical speeds of 34 square m/hour enable the Truepress Jet2500UV to compete favourably with dedicated textile print on demand systems. Colours are strong and vibrant and there is no need for special pre- or post-treatment of the materials.
Because of the drive throughout industry to use greener criteria where possible, producing display applications onto polyester-based material is becoming increasingly popular because of its recyclable properties. Polyester fabrics also benefit from being resistant to creasing, lighter and more portable than many traditional flexible alternatives, saving costs on logistics and deliveries as well as simplifying many installations.
This demonstrates not only the convenience of being able to produce applications in one step but also shows the cost and time benefits gained by printing direct when compared with traditional two-stage sublimation where additional calendering or a heat press is essential.
Screen believes that, by adding digital textile production to the existing capabilities of the Truepress Jet2500UV, this feature will appeal to users who want to benefit from being able to utilise a single wide-format printer for all types of application. The printer ships with the Screen edition Wasatch SoftRIP TX Gold which includes Screen’s own screening algorithm for accurate, consistent output on all materials.
“The printer in 2009 must be flexible and offer his customers ideas that perhaps they themselves have not thought of,” says Screen UK managing director Brian Filler. “Screen can equip the printer with the technology to provide high-quality innovative solutions that are also affordable.”