Superwide Format Digital Printers Win Awards

Two awards have been won by EFI at SGIA in Orlando, Florida (USA) for its Vutek QS3200r and other superwide format systems.

The Vutek QS3200r won the DPI Grand Format UV product of the year for 2007.

The system is described as a high-speed roll-to-roll UV printer that is claimed to produce images up to 3.2 metres wide with high definition print at 1,080 dots per inch (dpi).

It is also said to achieve speeds of up to 1,850 square feet per hour.

The QS3200r uses Vutek QS Series r UV inks that are said to be suitable for roll-to-roll applications.

The inks are available in eight colours - cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan, light magenta, light yellow and light black.

Alternatively, the printer can be operated in the Vutek Fast-4 mode with two CMYK banks for faster speed, added EFI.

Chuck Dourlet, vice president of marketing at EFI Vutek, said: "The launch of the QS3200r at SGIA was a huge success for us and continues to demonstrate QS product family leadership in the UV market.

Not only did we have great reception from visitors but it was also recognised as the DPI Grand Format UV product of the year for 2007." The Vutek QS Series R inks are claimed to have properties that allow printing on fabric, backlit materials, banners, adhesive backed vinyl, static cling and a variety of different substrates.

In addition, the Vutek QS Series R inks are designed to be flexible, making them suitable for projects with complex curves, such as kiosks and vehicle wraps, for example.

What EFI described as the pliable ink can conform to intricate shapes without damaging the image, including conforming to rivets.

EFI was also recognized for its Vutek 3360 with Biovu inks, which was named the Grand Format Solvent Product of the Year.

The 3360 with Biovu inks is claimed to be the only superwide format printer that offers a truly bio-friendly solvent ink, made largely of corn.

Dourlet explained: "When submitting products for consideration for these awards all participating printer manufacturers are issued the same test image file by SGIA.

The test file is composed of challenging contrasts, including flesh tones, detail, vector graphic elements and colour gradients.

The entries are judged in blind comparisons by an anonymous panel of judges who are printing professionals and members of SGIA." He continued: "The criteria for evaluation include colour quality, sharpness, flesh tone accuracy, smoothness of gradients, highlight and shadow detail, as well as the overall visual appeal of the print.

We were thrilled that these qualified professionals chose to recognise EFI's superwide format systems in this manner.".

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