As commercial print providers look to expand their customer base and establish a competitive differentiation, it is imperative to have the right large-format printing solutions and technologies in place to meet customers’ requirements quickly and economically.
Key applications
- promotional and POP signage;
- floor graphics, stickers, or repositionable graphics;
- backlit displays;
- interior decorations and wallcoverings;
- dimensional art;
- packaging;
- billboards; and
- vehicle wraps.
Proprietary ink technologies in large-format
Some proprietary technologies bridge several advantages of both traditional inkjet and LED printing and are ideal for a wide range of applications including graphics, computer-aided design (CAD) plots and GIS documents.
This proprietary process converts (melts) solid toner into a gel via the printer’s imaging devices. This toner gel is then jetted and crystallized onto the media roll, producing crisp, water fast, high-quality images with extremely accurate dot placement. This allows users to print high-quality images on inexpensive and recycled bond as well as presentation media such as semi-gloss, polypropylene, fabrics, wallpaper, and even vinyl.
Typically, because the fibres in this type of media are very coarse, other inks used in conventional inkjet technologies land on coarse fibres and either feather or run. When the toner gel is jetted, it lands on the media, but will not run because it is crystalized. This is referred to as “solid in, solid out printing.” Also, since the gel is crystalized as soon as it hits the media, it dries instantly, which means the print comes out dry, cut, and ready to be used, without post-printing preparation time for complex finishing needs. This toner is not UV-cured; therefore, its lifetime durability outdoors is limited. As a result, the toner will fade over time when in direct sunlight, which is why the technology is suggested for short-term indoor and outdoor signage.
Strengths
This proprietary technology produces highly accurate fine details and sharp lines with no toner feathering. The solid toner also produces a shine when placed onto the media, which boosts the image quality on plain papers, unlike inkjet technologies where the image would be viewed as dull or flat or even over saturate the media.
Prints can be handled immediately, which save the cost of long preparation and finishing requirements that are common when using solvent and latex technologies. Print engines using this technology also offer multiple rolls, which allow operators to print uninterrupted as well as have multiple types and sizes of media loaded and ready to use, which further increases productivity.
Colour prints can be produced at the speed of a black and white printer, giving the user the ability to print a wide range of applications—from graphics to CAD work—on one print engine quickly and cost effectively. Due to the water fastness of the toner, the prints can be placed outdoors, specifically on media such as vinyl and high-density polyethylene. The technology is also clean, so there is no odour, toner dust, or ozone.
