66 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 254 - August / September 2024 Tangible Upgrades Also making moves this year with new solutions is Mimaki, with Hybrid Services, its exclusive UK and Ireland distributor, launching three new products in the UK market back in February. The triple launch comprised two LED UV printers and a new direct-to-film machine, with Hybrid saying the devices offer “tangible upgrades and benefits over alternatives”. The first new model is the UCJV330-160 LED UV integrated printer/cutter, the latest addition to the 330 Series. According to Mimaki, this builds on the success of the eco-solvent and dye-sublimation models, with the new 1.6m-wide device incorporating white and clear into its quick-drying ink set. This, Mimaki says, means it can print high-quality images on traditional media used for outdoor sign and graphics applications, as well as translucent, transparent, and coloured materials such as PET, polyurethane and other films, textiles including lightbox material, and uncoated paper. In addition, as an integrated printer/ cutter, the UCJV330-160 is equipped with features for contour cutting to deliver stickers, decals and labels. Also new from Mimaki is the UJV100160Plus LED UV printer, which shares various features with its sister UCJV330160 model. This includes the ability to produce high-quality print on a wide range of materials and the incorporation of white and clear inks. The third new device from Mimaki comes in the form of the TxF300-75, the manufacturer’s fastest direct-to-film printer to date. This machine offers three times the productivity as the TxF150-75 launch model, with Mimaki saying that this new machine continues its focus on delivering a stable, reliable, and highquality solution, with the model including a two-year warranty as standard. High-end Solutions We conclude our round-up with Canon, which also had a busy drupa after launching several new machines earlier in the year. The manufacturer says both the imagePROGRAF GP series and imagePROGRAF PRO series have been created for use in high-end production. The seven-colour imagePROGRAF is targeted at commercial and in-house service providers producing applications such as high-quality posters and graphic arts. Three models are on offer in this range: the 60”/1524mm imagePROGRAF GP-6600s, the 44”/1118mm GP-4600S, and the 24”/610mm GP-2600S. Mathew Faulkner, EMEA director of marketing and innovation for the wideformat printing group at Canon Europe, comments: “With the launch of the new imagePROGRAF GP series, we’re addressing the needs of the high-end, premium poster market.” “With image durability also very important for the high-end poster market, any output printed on the new imagePROGRAF GP devices will be both very scratch- and lightresistant, helping to preserve its longevity and value. And with the improved media handling and increased automation of the series, we’ve also made it more productive and easier to use.” As for the imagePROGRAF PRO, Canon says this is more suited for use in the photography and fine art markets. The imagePROGRAF PRO series includes the 60”/1524mm imagePROGRAF PRO6600, the 44”/1118mm PRO-4600, and the 24”/610mm PRO-2600. All of the new printers use a new pigment ink set called Lucia Pro II, which Canon says can print on A0 size posters on uncoated paper within 48 seconds, with an expanded gamut of colours. Options in this ink set include orange and grey, while the colour gamut reproducible by the imagePROGRAF GP series can accurately hit 96% of the Pantone Formula Guide Solid Coated sample book. “We’ve raised the bar for print quality as well as significantly increasing image robustness in terms of light and abrasion resistance, which is crucial for fine art printers and professional photographers,” Faulkner adds. While there is plenty to consider in this round-up, the reality is that there have been plenty of other new options arriving on the wide-format market in 2024, with more set to follow in the coming weeks and months. Look out for part two of this series later in the year for the latest updates! Mimaki’s TxF300-75 is its fastest directto-film printer, offering three times the productivity as the TxF150-75 launch model Factoid We’ve raised the bar for print quality as well as significantly increasing image robustness in terms of light and abrasion resistance ▲ Canon launched its imagePROGRAF GP series and imagePROGRAF PRO series this year WIDE-FORMAT PRINT KIT PT.1
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