Electronics for Imaging has launched a mid-range three and five-metre wide roll-to-roll printer line at its annual users’ conference, EFI Connect, in Las Vegas.
The global technology giant says the Vutek D3r and D5r LED inkjet printers leverage the capabilities of the Vutek 3r+ and 5r+ printers to offer a mid-range solution with high value applications, including white and clear ink, offering sign and display customers the opportunity to drive more volume with high-end digital print for endless applications and designs.
The new line, which are 3.5 metres and 5.2 metres wide respectively, supports the unique collection of options for Vutek roll-to-roll LED printers, providing a fully system for higher efficiency and a lower total cost of ownership.
EFI’s vice president of worldwide marketing, Ken Hanulec, says customer feedback drove the creation of this mid-volume solution.
“The ‘D’ in the name for these new printers is for ‘Design’ and they are absolutely designed to offer the right mix of features, productivity and cost to create new opportunities for signage and graphics professionals,” Hanulec said.
“We listened very closely to our customers for feedback to create a mid-volume solution that will be the technology of choice for print providers seeking to profitably grow their businesses with high-end applications.”
The Vutek D3r can print up to 204 square metres per hour (2196 square feet per hour) and will be launched worldwide at Connect, from January 21 to 24, with its European debut at EFI EMEA Ignite event on January 29 in Brussels.
The Vutek D5r can print up to 244 square metres per hour (2626 square feet per hour).
Thomas Printworks in the USA and Allgraf in Italy are early adopters of the D5r with both opting for it due to its ability to meet growing demand for high-end signage, décor, outdoor graphics and other applications.
“We were looking to upgrade our five metre printing capabilities, and when we found the EFI VUTEk D5r, it checked all the boxes related to speed, quality, cost of operation, and efficiency,” Bryan Thomas, president at Thomas Printworks, said.
“The quality of the machine was so impressive that it gave us the added benefit of also replacing a three metre printer within our fleet.”
Agostino Allegris, CEO and president at Allgraf said: “Our choice to buy the EFI VUTEk D5r was a winning decision.
“The printing resolution, the possibilities of white printing and the inline clear ink are unique features and they give us a competitive edge.
“Now, we have the ability to print a full flood or selective clear ink in glossy or matte. We are excited of the possibilities of printing a whole series of innovative applications and materials.”
Both presses employ UltraDrop technology which can deliver precise and sharp 3-point size text with a true resolution of up to 1200 dots per inch, offering near-photographic quality.
“The printers’ LED curing ensures not only cost savings but also a more environmentally sound printing solution, consuming less energy and enabling the use of thinner, heat-sensitive substrates,” the company said.
“The Vutek D line is equipped with additional printheads and offers both white and jettable clear ink for matte and glossy effects, covering a wider amount of unique applications such as wall decorations and murals, window graphics, flooring, high-value prints with selective gloss effects, fleet graphics, truck-side curtains and more.”
The printers are also easily customisable with optional features including:
- White and clear ink;
- Inline x-cutters and y-slitters;
- Automatic backlit and block-out printing;
- Media spreaders and motorized winders; and more.
Both printers also come with EFI’s Fiery proServer digital front end allowing for increased productivity and accurate colour matching.
For added productivity, EFI says users can choose to add a software productivity pack and are able to remotely connect with the printers using a mobile application.
EFI Vutek SuperFlex 3M inks are also available for manufacturing of popular and profitable vehicle wraps and fleet graphics.
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