Recapping Digital Color Production Presses at Graph Expo 15

According to industry research firm InfoTrends, the high-end digital production color market will expand from its current volume of around 60 billion pages to 87 billion pages globally by 2018, presenting a significant growth opportunity for print service providers.

Graph Expo 15 last month presented its own significant opportunity for print service providers (PSPs)—the opportunity to see firsthand the offerings of digital color production manufacturers and distributors. Here is a sampling of what was displayed at the annual North American tradeshow, in alphabetical order (by exhibitor):

Canon

A leader in digital imaging solutions, Canon USA, Inc. unveiled the latest additions to its production portfolio, including the imagePRESS C10000VP Series, which sets a new quality benchmark in their class while delivering robust productivity of up to 100 images per minute regardless of the media weight up to 350 gsm; maintaining high productivity even on long runs and mixed media jobs. The device also runs lighter weight media (from70 gsm) as well as textured stock and specialties such as synthetics. The press is designed for commercial, franchise, in-plant, quick printers, transaction, and direct mail service providers. New features include the Inline Spectroscopic Sensor and Multi D.A.T. (Multi Density Adjustment Technology); a 50 percent increase in duty cycle over previous C7011VP/S model; Simple Registration Control for fast registration adjustments; and an air knife that helps separate sheets from the fusing unit. It targets an average monthly print volume of 100,000 to 450,000 pages with maximum monthly duty cycles of 1.5 million pages.

On the inkjet side for Canon, its Océ ColorStream 3000 Z Series is designed to be the slimmest high-volume, full-color, continuous-feed inkjet system in its class. It aims to provide the quality and versatility of the popular ColorStream 3000 Series range with a modified design to suit a smaller environment not normally suitable for high-volume inkjet installations. The range comprises four systems, ranging from 157 to 417 feet per minute (fpm), for an equivalent productivity of 344 to 1,818 pages per minute (ppm), while using approximately 30 percent less floor space.

HP

From HP comes the HP Indigo WS6800 Digital Press, the third generation of the HP Indigo WS6000 Digital Press series. This press delivers an industry-high crossover point in narrow-web production versus analog for the vast majority of pressure-sensitive label jobs. An inline spectrophotometer helps customers reduce time spent preparing color profiles and Pantone color matching by up to 75 percent, the OEM reported. Using closed-loop control, the spectrophotometer eliminates the need for manual color calibrations and adjustments. An expanded frame width, increased from 317 mm to 320 mm, allows for higher press output and reduced costs. In addition, label converters can produce up to 131 linear feet per minute in color using Enhanced Productivity Mode.

Kodak

In the Kodak exhibit, enhancements to its NexPress Digital Production Color Presses include the ability to produce pocket folders and other diecut solutions. A new accessory, the NexPress TPF550 Long Sheet Deep Pile Feeder by BDT helps to extend media range, improve productivity and enhance ease for long sheet printing of up to one meter.

Kodak also showed a video of its inkjet web Prosper Presses & Imprinting Systems. The “Printing on Air Demo” showcased its Stream Inkjet Technology by using a light strobe to display the content as the drops travel through air – rather than being delivered to a paper or other substrate – with the images appearing similar to that of a flip book or video.
In addition to new product launches and legacy solution demonstrations, Kodak demonstrated an integration partnership between the Kodak Creo IC-309 Server and the Konica Minolta bizhub C71hc press. Similarly, Kodak and Kruger, Inc. have partnered to bring the first true lightweight coated paper optimized for inkjet production to market. Samples and print demonstrations of the ‘>Four Diamond’ rated stock were showcased during GRAPH EXPO at the Kodak booth.

Kodak also promoted the new connectivity between its Prinergy Workflow 7 and Ricoh’s newly launched TotalFlow Print Server, which together will drive the Ricoh PRO C Series of printers.

Presstek

Presstek imaging and plate technologies are engineered to remove complexities from the print production process, raising a printer’s productivity and profits as well as delivering the highest quality offset output. Presstek’s highly automated 4- to-6-color DI (Direct Imaging) digital offset presses feature on-press media imaging, no click charges, and enable for greater profitability on jobs between 500 to 20,000 impressions.

Ricoh

Ricoh spotlighted its 5th Color Kit, a collection of five-color applications developed on the Pro C7100X that commercial printers can show their customers. These are produced on a variety of substrates including Cougar Smooth, Hazen Brilliance, Neenah Silk, and Mohawk Everyday Digital Coated Gloss stock. These real-world applications are bundled with step-by-step instructions for users looking to replicate them using Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, along with procedures and best practices for tasks like switching between white and clear toner. The 5th Color Kit is divided into customer-centric themes, such as “music venue” and “retail,” each containing examples of applications which businesses in those industries might leverage.

At the show, I had the opportunity to speak with Lawrence Chou, the 28-year-old founder and CEO of MGX Copy, an online, short-run print firm based in San Diego. Chou got into the business after college quite by accident, after a poor experience as a printing customer. Now five years old, his 40-employee shop is a 24/7 operation. In addition to a Xerox iGen4 on its production floor, MGX recently installed four Ricoh Pro C9110 models after beta-testing the device for six months. This digital press also was on display and running at Graph Expo 15.
Chou enjoys being able to print fast on 400 gsm media and as wide as 27.5 inches using the banner-tray extension. In fact, Chou likes the Pro C9110 so much, he may add two more – for a total of six! – perhaps as soon as the end of this month, he told me.

Xeikon

Meanwhile, Xeikon is back in the commercial print game after focusing on the label market for several years. It showed its new model 9800 dry toner-based digital color press, which replaces the Xeikon 8800 press in its family of digital color production presses. The 9800 uses Xeikon’s new QA-CD toner, offering a print resolution of 1200x3600 with variable-dot density. Integrated with the variable-data capabilities of the X-800 front-end, this press is well suited for high-end direct marketing work. The Xeikon 9800 prints on a range of untreated substrates, from 40 gsm to 300 gsm at speeds up to 70.5 feet per minute and 5/5 single-pass duplex printing.

Xerox

The Xerox Color 800i/1000i Presses refresh the OEMs Color 800/1000 Presses, delivering increased press availability, new high-value application enablers that include optional metallic dry inks, and a more flexible and seamless, integrated workflow to boost productivity. Many of the presses’ core strengths remain, including 2400x2400 dpi image quality with accurate and repeatable color produced using proprietary EA Toner and its fine, uniform, low-melt particles. Print speeds are 80 and 100 ppm. Substrates range from 7.2x7.2 inches to 13x19.2 inches and from 55 gsm to 350 gsm and include a range of synthetics, polyesters and other specialty media.

Xerox also exhibited its Versant 80 entry-level production press, and the steadfast iGen5. The Rialto 900 inkjet press generated quite a buzz as well as substantial foot traffic to the booth, as visitors crowded to see the compact machine in action.

Stay tuned to PN and PrintingNews.com for more color production digital press developments as drupa 2016 approaches.