EFI

Say that you’ve been printing large-format digital images for some time and have built a large-count client base, and it’s becoming hard to meet demand — the kind of problem that everyone would like to have. Unfortunately, substantial business increases can be good news that also present more issues than you may have first imagined.

For example, if you’re overworking one mid-range printer, you may be experiencing excessive maintenance issues. Of course, you could throw multiple machines at the problem, if you’ve floor space, but although multiple printers may handle your production issues, you may also need multiple RIPs and additional personnel.

Perhaps it’s time to simplify your processes.

If your business is really taking off, the solution may be to acquire an industrial-grade inkjet printer. Though the initial buy-in may be steep, the benefits are many. Grand-format, industrial-grade printers are designed to operate continuously, and, in most instances, the printing speed will meet or exceed your production needs, especially if you gang-process the images. Further, managing a grand-format machine requires no more staff than does a standard inkjet printer. Combine these factors, and you may consider buying or leasing a grand-format printer.

Be sure to put EFI’s VUTEk printers on your checklist. This company’s printers are a collaboration of two well-known names in digital printing: EFI is a leader in print software and delivers outstanding print solutions, and Vutek, which was acquired by EFI in 2005, is an established and innovative manufacturing company that helped pioneer the grand-format printing market.

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Specifically, check out EFI’s Vutek PV320. This fast, versatile printer images on both rigid and roll media.

Specifications

One doesn’t house a PV320 in a modest office; this baby is a giant. For starters, it weighs close to 5,000 lbs. — almost 2.5 tons. The machine is 226 in. wide (almost 19 ft.) 3 58 in. high x 63 in. deep. Obviously, it will handle some wide media. It also has two take-up tables for flat media that add 53 in. to the machine’s depth, front and back.

As an industrial-grade printer, the PV320 needs a 200/240VAC, 50/60Hz single-phase line that draws 65A; and 80 to 150 psi air (filtered and dehumidified) at 4 cfm; an operating temperature range of 68-85° F; and a work area humidity range between 30 to 80%, non-condensing.

Printing technology

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Given its name, the PV320, obviously uses UV-cure inks, and, although we’ve discussed UV-cure ink in the past, we want to revisit some high points.

UV-cure inks are cured (dried) when exposed to UV light. Although the ink requires handling attention when wet, once cured, no stinky, dangerous chemicals are involved, and, other than adequate cross-room ventilation, require no special venting. UV-cure inks stick to various substrates, which makes them extremely versatile for both rigid and flexible substrates.

As a UV printer, the PV320 typically uses inkjet technology. It has heavyduty, drop-on-demand piezo printheads and two resolution settings, 360 x 400 dpi and 360 x 600 dpi.

Media handling

We know the PV320 prints on rigid and roll media. So, let’s see how this works and what kinds of media it supports. The printer’s depth is 63 in., which isn’t particularly wide for a rigid-media printer. The printer also has removable feed and takeup tables that add 53 in. to the machine’s depth, front and back.

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So, the printer offers more than 4 ft. of table to support rigid media, and can easily accommodate a 4-ft.- wide board. Of course, to print on 4 x 8-ft. media, the table width would need to be more than 8 ft. wide. No problem. The actual printing width is 126 in. — more than 10 ft. of printing width.

The PV320 will ingest media up to 1.75-in. thick, so don’t worry about corrugated plastics or .75-in. MDO or even a 2.75-in. board. Also, a precision registration system ensures media registration, print after print.

You can use banner material, adhesive-backed vinyl or paper because the system has a roll-to- roll, takeup system. In one demonstration, we watched the Vutek product team convert the 320 from rigid tables to the roll-to-roll mode in a few minutes. Also, its enormous print-width capabilities can easily handle giant banners and make mincemeat of vehicle wraps.

Inks

The four colors (CMYK) make operations pretty simple. Remember, the print world functioned successfully with these basic, four colors for about, oh, 100 years. Each cartridge holds 5 liters, which should be sufficient.

Speed

For a high-volume shop, print speed becomes paramount. The PV320 certainly won’t disappoint. Its three speed functions should cover all your requirements.

For posters and point-of purchase displays, you’ll want to use the “Best Quality,” high-resolution speed of 650 sq. ft per hour. For banners, use the “High Quality” mode of 800 sq. ft. per hour. That nearly doubles the speed of the fastest mid-range printers we’ve reviewed.

In “Production” mode – a drum roll please – the PV320 produces 1,000 sq. ft. per hour. That’s not a misprint. Print quality is typical Vutek, meaning, excellent, even in the high speed “Production” mode.

The PV320 will print 20 rigid boards per hour, including media unloading and reloading. That’s a 4 3 8-ft. print every three minutes. Comparatively, you’d require at least two mid-range, rigid printers running simultaneously to match this throughput, and at least one additional operator.

Software

Such an enormous and flexible system requires some really powerful software. Interestingly, the PV320’s operation console is a Linuxbased application that’s designed around the printer’s speed and capacity. This graphical interface doesn’t require you to be a geek. Its queuing system will process multiple jobs in collating-like functions.

For example, if you needed the same 10 prints for 100 stores, it would print 100 sets of 10 prints. This saves considerable finishing work on the back end.

Prior to its purchase by EFI, Vutek’s main software was the excellent ColorBurst RIP. Since then, the company has offered its EFI-based Fiery XF Production RIP. Fiery has always offered functionality for color RIPs of all types.

The Fiery XF RIP, designed for wide-format printers, lends itself quite nicely to the PV320. Its image-processing system is very efficient and built with large images in mind. Nesting is a natural for a printer that can produce an image more than 10 ft. wide.

Other features include step and repeat, which is useful for filling a large sheet with same-image (tiled) multiples. The Fiery XF RIP also simplifies image combinations into a single file for printing. The images can even have different color spaces.

The software, designed to operate as a central processing center, can support multiple users as well as multiple devices. It uses ICC profiles to maintain consistent and accurate color. Small-format proofing devices (such as desktop printers) can also be linked, to ensure correct colors before committing to the PV320.

The Fiery features a wizard-driven user interface to create and maintain ICC profiles. Color calibration devices from GretagMacbeth or X-Rite are also supported by the Fiery RIP.

Finally, EFI planned this RIP as a platform system, meaning it’s scalable, so you can add memory and speed. Additionally, EFI offers numerous, add-on, business-oriented packages that provide such features as estimating, order entry, inventory, invoicing and accounting. Obviously, EFI has committed to a soup-to-nuts solution that can grow with your business.

If you already own a Vutek printer and want to continue using the Colorburst RIP, an available flavor will drive the PV320.

Conclusion

The PV320 isn’t for everybody. You need space and business demand for high-volume printing. Its $299,000 list price is a significant investment. However, for a heavy digital workload of banners, displays and posters, the PV320 may be your cost-effective solution.

Also, EFI represents a combination of two market leaders. Vutek is known for high-quality, grand-format printers backed by professional service. EFI’s history is notable software solutions. Combined, a bullet-proof printing solution will expand with your business.

The image sizes and speed the PV320 can manage need a heavy-duty operator console. The user-friendly, graphic-user interface (GUI) lessens the learning curve.

Key Information

EFI’s |2324|, One VUTEk Place, Meredith, NH 03253, (603) 279-4635, (603) 279-6411, www.vutek.com, www.efi.com.

Company Background: EFI is a world leader in color digital-print servers, superwide-format printers, inks and commercial and enterprise print-management solutions. The company’s product portfolio includes Fiery® digital-color print servers; superwide-digital inkjet printers, U.V.- and solvent-based inks; industrial inkjet-printing systems, print-production workflow, management-information software and corporate printing solutions. EFI maintains 23 offices worldwide.

Contact: Jane Cedrone, marketing communications mgr., JCedrone@efi.com