KIT & MEDIA / NEWS 20 www.signlink.co.uk signlink signlink signlinkmagazine Issue 252 - April / May 2024 Canon has launched two new series of large-format printers: the 7-colour imagePROGRAF GP series and the 12-colour imagePROGRAF PRO series both made for use in high-end production. The imagePROGRAF GP series is designed for high-quality posters and graphic arts for both commercial and in-house service providers, while the imagePROGRAF PRO is designed for use in the photography and fine art markets. The GP series comprises three models: the 60”/1524mm imagePROGRAF GP-6600s, the 44”/1118mm GP-4600S, and the 24”/610mm GP-2600S. The printers use a new pigment inkset called LUCIA PRO II which can print on A0 size posters on uncoated paper within 48 seconds with an expanded gamut of vibrant and accurately reproduced colours. The new inkset includes orange and grey which can reproduce more vivid and eye-catching colours along with more accurate skin tones. The colour gamut reproducible by the imagePROGRAF GP series can accurately hit 96% of the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE Solid Coated sample book, making it fitting for printing corporate colours. The imagePROGRAF PRO series in- cludes the 60”/1524mm imagePROGRAF PRO-6600, the 44”/1118mm PRO-4600, and the 24”/610mm PRO-2600. Both series became available in March 2024 across EMEA and will also be showcased at drupa 2024 from May 28th to June 7th. Canon launches new imagePROGRAF printers The new printers will be showcased live at drupa 2024 on the Canon stand in Hall 8A Alfalite updates UHD panels Alfalite, a European LED screen manufacturer based in Spain, has announced its new UHD Finepix LED panels with new AlfaCOB technology. The panels, which are manufactured at Alfalite’s headquarters in Huelva, Spain, are a new mechanical and electronic design of the Alfalite UHD Finepix predecessors. The panels’ pixel pitch ranges from 0.6 to 1.8mm and are manufactured with AlfaCOB, an evolution of the brand’s ORIM technology, for mounting on MicroLED or MiniLED in Package (MIP). Jesús Cabrera, chief executive officer of Alfalite, says: “Unlike most LED display brands, Alfalite is not a mass manufacturer; rather we like to think of ourselves as a boutique manufacturer that focuses on quality and innovation. “That's why we are delighted to present this new UHD Finepix AlfaCOB solution in which our engineers give it unique and exceptional electrical and mechanical characteristics.” The new panels offer enhanced quality as well as an All in One Media Player and voice control Hybrid Services, the exclusive distributor for Mimaki printers in the UK and Ireland, has recently shared the success of Mimaki’s latest industrial dye-sublimation printer, the Tiger600-1800TS. Colourama, a Polish textile printer based in Loetz (referred to as ‘the Manchester of the East’ due to its importance in the textile printing market), installed the Mimaki Tiger600-1800TS in the summer of 2023. The company chose the printer due to its speed and its rewind system which benefits Colourama when jumbo rolls of printed paper are loaded onto the calendar for transferring to fabric. Colourama delivers heat transfer paper printing for the fashion/apparel, décor, and contract textile sectors and has been heavily involved in the final market test of Mimaki’s Tiger6001800TS. Andrew Gregory, sales director at Hybrid Services, visited the company to see first-hand how the machine was performing. Gregory says: “My trip to Poland gave a fascinating insight into how Mimaki’s latest industrial printing solution is helping an already established high production print house increase its volume even further, and the opportunity it offers for UK and Irish companies to do the same.” The new Tiger600-1800 TS is faster than its predecessor and features a staggered printhead arrangement and stable nozzle performance for great consistency and speed. Hybrid hails Colourama Mimaki Tiger investment Andrew Gregory from Hybrid Services recently visited Poland to visit Mimaki customer, Colourama Bulldog Display invests in a Gibson hybrid printer Bulldog Display has purchased a Gibson GT-H3200R6 UV hybrid printer through equipment seller Repro Sales & Repairs (RSR). A relatively new brand to the UK, Gibson is sold alongside flatbed and hybrid machines recently made available in the Western market including Xenons, Focus, and iEcho. These flatbed and hybrid LED-UV printers are designed to meet the demands of businesses that produce graphics for exhibitions, product launches, and retail takeovers. Recent examples of Bulldog’s work include a 6m-high advent calendar shaped like a rocket as well as a giant replica drink can. To meet demand the company purchased the new Gibson with a combined 3.2m flatbed and roll feeding capacity, which it says has saved the business money compared to purchasing a more expensive machine. A big change for the company has also been the introduction of UV inks, differentiating from the solvent inks used by its previous Refretonic 3.2m Eco Solvent Printer. Bulldog Display has nine members of staff and a 10,000sq ft premises in Maidenhead By David Osgar By David Osgar
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