Production Inkjet Tradeshow Shopping Guide

September brings colorful foliage to New England and kicks off a series of printing trades shows throughout the U.S. including thINK Forum in Boca Raton, Print 19 in Chicago and Printing United in Dallas.

Elizabeth Gooding Mary Schilling

October 14, 2019

September brings colorful foliage to New England and kicks of a series of printing trades shows throughout the U.S. including thINK Forum in Boca Raton, Print 19 in Chicago and Printing United in Dallas. If you are in the market to purchase a production inkjet device in 2019, these are great opportunities to kick the tires, network with current customers and negotiate a great fourth quarter deal.

Trade shows can be overwhelming, so we want to help you use your time wisely by providing an overview of trends and options in various aspects of the production inkjet market. Whether you are looking for web-fed or sheet-fed, entry-level or top-productivity models, you should be aware of some devices and trends.

You Don’t Need to Be Big to Buy Inkjet Anymore

There are a range of inkjet devices priced at around $1 million, and a few for close to half that price. The challenge for many first-time buyers at this level is to find the best fit. Should they stay with the format, web or sheet, that they have now, or are there dynamics that make it more economical to switch? Let’s look at entry level devices you are likely to see at trade events this year in the entry-level price range:

Device Productivity \| Format	Overview
BlueCrest Accelejet 716 IPM \| Roll to Sheet	Accelejet is roll-to-sheet production inkjet device targeted at production printing of Direct Marketing Self Mailers and Traditional Transaction Print. It uses aqueous pigment ink with five gray levels and 600 x 600 DPI.
Canon VarioPrint i300 294 IPM \| B3+ Sheet	The VarioPrint i300 uses Océ iQuarius inks and ColorGrip primer to print on a wide array of media including some offset coated papers. It offers 600 x 600 dpi resolution and four gray levels to tackle applications from transaction printing, forms and books to direct mail and marketing collateral.
Komori Impremia IS29 300 IPM \| B2 Sheet	The Impremia IS29 did not start off as an entry-level device, but pricing has come down since introduction. Using UV inks, the IS29 eliminates many media limitations inherent with aqueous inks, expanding the range of offset coated and uncoated media up to 600 microns or approximately 540 gsm along with textured and embossed paper, paper board and many synthetics. With 1200 x 1200 dpi and eight gray levels, the device is capable of stunning color with durable output required for high-end direct marketing and commercial jobs. The B2 sheet size is a natural for companies moving from a half-size offset press to digital.
Konica Minolta Accuriojet KM-1 300 IPM \| B2 Sheet	The Accuriojet from KM-1 is part of the same partnership between Konica Minolta and Komori that delivered the Impremia IS29. Konica Minolta provides the heads and ink on the Komori chassis and transport framework. The press is identical to the Impremia IS29, delivering high quality B1production to the direct mail and commercial markets on a wide variety of substrates up to 600 microns/540 gsm.
RISO VALEZUS T2100 320 IPM \| B3 Sheet	The Valezus T2100, announced in August 2019, is a sheetfed production inkjet device targeting Direct Mail, Direct Marketing – Self Mailers, Traditional Transaction Print and Transitional Mail. It uses five colors of oil-based pigment ink in CMYK plus a gray. CMY and G print at 300 x 300 dpi in standard mode, or 600 x300dpi in fine mode, while black is always 600 x 600 dpi.
Screen Truepress Jet520NX EN 984 IPM \| Continuous/ Roll fed	Introduced in 2019, the Truepress Jet520NX EN is the new entry-level version of the popular Truepress Jet520NX. With a price tag of under a million, before optional finishing, and leveraging the same printhead module, control technologies and transfer system as Screen’s mid-range system, the EN model is a fit for smaller commercial, book and direct mail operations. The EN has a maximum resolution of 600 x 600 (versus 600 x 1200 for NX) with four gray levels and a MICR option. Monochrome versions of the EN are also available.
Xerox Baltoro 300 IPM \| B3+ Sheet	The Baltoro, launched in June 2019, represents a new, internally sourced inkjet platform from Xerox. Leveraging aqueous pigment inks and Xerox W-series print heads with 1200x1200 dpi resolution and two gray levels (one drop size), the Baltoro will print on uncoated stocks and inkjet optimized stocks up to 270 gsm. Baltoro is targeting transaction printing, direct marketing and commercial market segments.

Maximum Productivity Models

There is a very wide range in productivity among inkjet devices, and to really take on the commercial market they must continue to get even faster. To be considered at “maximum productivity” in production inkjet today, a continuous device must deliver at least 2000 U.S. letter images per minute, and there are several on our list with more than double that productivity level. Starting costs for these solutions is $2.5 million (based on two engines).

Device Productivity \| Format	Overview
Canon Océ JetStream 5500 Wide Mono & Full Color 5452 IPM \| Continuous/Roll fed	Focused on the ultra-high-volume transaction printing, direct mail personalization and forms markets, the JetStream 5500 is available in both mono and full color variations. It uses aqueous dye ink and 600x480 dpi to deliver business color at high speed.
Canon Océ JetStream 4300 Wide Mono & Full Color 4295 IPM \| Continuous/Roll fed	The JetStream 4300 is also focused on transaction printing, mono direct mail and form printing, and uses aqueous dye ink, however the 4300 delivers 600 x 600 dpi at approximately 80% the speed of the 5500.
HP PageWide Web Press T490M HD and M(Mono) 4000 IPM Performance mode, 1992 IPM in quality mode Continuous/Roll fed	The T490M HD is the most productive of the HP T400 series of printers and is available in mono and full color versions. It uses thermal drop-on-demand print head technology at 1200 x 1200 dpi, aqueous pigment ink and optional bonding agent. The device can be configured for a range of segments including from transaction printing and books to high-color direct marketing, and commercial print. It will print on offset coated stocks with the use of HP priming solution.
Kodak Prosper 6000 series 4364 IPM \| Continuous/Roll fed	There are multiple models of the Prosper 6000 series that have been proven in the market for several years. Unlike most of the competition, Kodak uses continuous stream inkjet technology rather than drop on demand. Heads jet aqueous pigment CMYK inks with a top resolution of 600 x 900. Kodak has targeted high-volume book and commercial markets with both mono and color variations of this press.
Landa Nanography S10 866 IPM simplex \| B1 Sheet	The S10 is a simplex device offering up to seven colors (CMYK +OGB) and is an actual “press” that jets ink onto a blanket that then transfers it to the substrate. Concentrated offset inks are mixed with water using a computer-controlled ink system and Fujifilm Dimatix Samba heads deliver 1200x1200 dpi output. Currently targeting demanding folding carton applications plus simplex commercial applications, the S10P perfecting press, due later this year, will open many additional high-color, high-quality applications segments. A coating unit can be added that supports both aqueous and UV coatings. Productivity enhancements are estimated to deliver approximately 13,000 sheets per hour which would bring the sheet fed S10P into the productivity realm of mid-range continuous feed printers with more colors and without the media limitations inherent in continuous devices. Note that Komori, who partnered with Landa in the development of this press will be launching their own version under the NS40 label at drupa 2020.
Ricoh Pro VC 70000 2145 IPM \| Continuous/Roll fed	The Pro VC 70000 is Ricoh’s flagship model delivering resolutions up to 2400 x 2400 with four gray levels using Ricoh piezo head technology. Their hybrid solvent and water-based pigment inks combine with advanced paper transport and drying technology to deliver high-color, high-coverage, quality sensitive applications on a wide array of media (up to 250 gsm) including gloss coated stock, without the need for pre-coating or post-coating. The maximum repeatable printing image area of 20" x 54" supports poster printing and other signature and large format applications.
Ricoh Pro VC 60000 2145 IPM \| Continuous/Roll fed	The Pro VC 60000 was recently upgraded to run at the same speed as the 70000, but the top resolution is 1200 x 1200 with four gray levels. It also uses a different high-density aqueous pigment ink with Ricoh print heads. While the 60000 can also print on offset grades, it does not have quite the same media reach as the 70000. It handles a range of applications cost-effectively, from transaction print and books to direct mail and commercial applications and uses use a maximum repeatable printing image area of 20" x 54" to support poster printing and other large format applications.
Ricoh Pro VC 40000 2145 IPM \| Continuous/Roll fed	The Pro VC 40000 has also been received speed upgrades and has many similarities to the 60000, but this model has a maximum resolution of 1200 x 600 and does not print on coated offset stocks. The 40000 offers separate print head arrays for black and full color with an optional fifth head array for MICR or security inks. While capable of producing an array of applications, it is best suited to transaction printing and transitional/transpromo communications in addition to direct mail.
Screen Truepress Jet520ZZ 3,000 IPM \| Continuous / Roll fed	The Jet520ZZ is available in both aqueous pigment and aqueous dye models with top resolution of 720 x 360 dpi and 4 gray levels. This model has efficiency enhancements such as the Equios Color Management System and an intelligent variable data processing RIP focused on high precision printing for transactional and mid-quality commercial applications on uncoated offset and inkjet optimized papers (up to 160 gsm.)
Xerox Trivor 2400 HD 2400 IPM \| Continuous/ Roll fed	The Trivor 2400 uses high density aqueous pigment inks and six gray levels to make the most of resolution options ranging from 600 x 360 up to 1200x500 dpi. The Trivor will print on offset uncoated stocks and inkjet optimized stocks of up to 250 gsm and includes quality control measures that will slow the press to 1 meter per minute for inspection for on-press inspection during production. Focused on the transaction, direct marketing and book segments, the Trivor is available in both four-color and mono configurations.

Since it’s not possible to cover every device in a single article, we have focused on entry level and maximum productivity offers that are likely to be on display at trade events in 2019.

Detailed information on all production OEMs and their devices is available on the Inkjet Insight Device Finder. As you plan out your tradeshow visits, take a look at the exhibitor list and research devices in advance. As you research devices, here are a few trends to keep in mind.

B1 Sheet-fed is Here and Getting Faster

High productivity, traditionally the domain of continuous inkjet, is now available in B1 sheet format, but you won’t see them on any show floors in 2019. Landa Nanography launched the S10, which produces 866 U.S. letter images per minute. It offers up to seven colors (CMYK +OGB) and is an actual “press” that jets ink onto a blanket that then transfers it to the substrate. Concentrated offset inks are mixed with water using a computer-controlled ink system, and Fujifilm Dimatix Samba heads deliver 1200 x1200 dpi output. Currently targeting demanding folding carton applications plus simplex commercial applications, the S10P perfecting press due later this year, will open many additional high-color, high-quality applications segments. Productivity enhancements are under way to deliver approximately 9,000 sheets per hour (original estimate was 13,000 sheets per hour) which would bring the Sheet-fed S10P into the productivity realm of mid-range continuous feed printers.

Komori partnered with Landa in the development of this press and will be launching their own version with some Komori-specific features under the Impremia NS40 label at drupa. Starting costs for a perfecting B1 sheet fed solution can be double that of a high-volume continuous solution, but the substrate options and ink coverage limits are much greater.

Inkjet on Offset Coated is Here

OEMs are finding new and ingenious ways to delivery high quality on more substrates, including gloss coated offset. Canon has done this with hybrid aqueous ink and ColorGrip on their VarioPrint and ProStream models. Ricoh and Screen are delivering great results on offset coated without the use of precoating based on ink formulation, drying and other inkjet magic. Komori and Konica Minolta can support an even wider range of substrates due to the inherent nature of UV curable inks in a sheet-fed environment (rolls limit substrate thickness). Landa has redefined the concept of inkjet with their heated blanket transfer process. If you are looking for media flexibility, running costs can vary dramatically, so understand the process.

Hybrid Printing is Going Mainstream

There are opportunities to customize offset presses, customize inkjet presses and build complete solutions from the best that each OEM has to offer. The range of OEM solutions on the market is impressive, but if there is something you need for your business, consider talking to an integrator. If you don’t have the appetite for a completely customized solution, at least make sure to examine all of the configurable options from your inkjet OEM for commercially-available models such as ink (pigment or dye), drying and finishing.

Pre-owned Equipment is an Excellent Value

Pre-owned, refurbished equipment is a great option for buyers looking for an easy entry into the inkjet market. Several OEMs such as Canon, Ricoh and Screen are actively supporting their customers with finding used equipment and providing on-going service. This can be a great solution for a first device or for lowering costs of redundancy for disaster recovery.

So Many Options, So Little Time

There are many great inkjet solutions that we were not able to cover in this article, and which you may not find at U.S. trade events. There are also variations of many of the devices mentioned that change their cost, productivity and application suitability. Check InkjetInsight.com for continuous coverage of the latest devices, access to specifications and expert reviews of new technology. Get in touch if you want to connect at shows or be interviewed about your inkjet journey.