Fujifilm's Acuity Prime Hybrid can print on substrates up to 2m in width at production quality from 92sq m/hr
Best of both worlds
While all sign-makers and wide-format print companies recognise the value of investment in new kit, it is not quite as simple as calling up your local distributor and placing an order for a new machine. Funds are tight for many businesses in these markets and any new purchase needs to be planned out carefully to ensure a return on investment and that budgets are being stuck to.
For this reason, many companies are turning to hybrid machines. Perhaps the most obvious and stand-out benefit of taking on this sort of technology is that they carry out more than one task, removing the need to invest in two pieces of kit for two separate uses. Add in the saving in floor space and having to only train workers on one machine rather than two, and it is easy to see why the popularity of these machines is increasing.
Here, SignLink takes a look at the widermarket and picks out some of the hybrid machines available to wide-format printers, and indeed sign-makers, analysing their core features and attributes and how these will help users grow their business.
Saving Money
First up in this market is Vivid Laminating Technologies and its ever-expanding collection of solutions for wide-format work. One of the latest machines to have been launched is the new Easymount Hybrid laminator, a multi-patented innovation with roll-to-roll HOVER technology, suitable for long-run and roll-fed laminating.
“Designed to perform, built to last, and developed in-house by Vivid, the Easymount Hybrid is the world’s first all-in-one roll-fed laminator and applicator,” says Vivid director Lewis Evans, adding: “Working with a hybrid machine like this makes investment in technology cheaper for users. You also have the added benefit of the one machine taking up far less floorspace than two machines.”
Vivid’s Easymount Hybrid incorporates both a traditional roll-fed laminator and a flatbed applicator
As for its key features, users of the Easymount Hybrid will benefit from a modular design that can be configured according to their specific production needs and incorporates both a traditional roll-fed laminator and a flatbed applicator. Other attributes include a specialist, digital control panel that the manufacturer says is very user-friendly, meaning even novice operators can achieve results with complete accuracy, quickly and easily.
Vivid will be pushing the Easymount Hybrid at a number of major industry trade shows this year, including at The Print Show 2024 which takes place from 17th to 19th September at the NEC in Birmingham. Here, visitors can view live demonstrations of the Easymount Hybrid and speak with experts from Vivid about its features and how these can help them access new opportunities.
To find out more specifics about this new machine, you can read our Under the Hood Special on P36.
Versatility is Key
Meanwhile, Shaun Holdom, business development manager for wide-format at Fujifilm, shares the opinion that hybrid machines offer a number of advantages to companies in the wide-format and sign-making sectors. He explains that having a hybrid machine as part of a portfolio enables businesses to increase their productivity.
“Thanks to their high level of versatility, hybrid printers have enabled PSPs to branch into new markets, without investing in multiple printers that can handle a small number of applications,” Holdom says, adding: “This is particularly true since the pandemic, when some print markets significantly shrunk, while others, proving their resilience, dramatically grew. Running a single, multi-use hybrid printer is more cost effective and takes up less space on-site than operating multiple machines.”
So, what should you be looking for in a hybrid machine? Holdom picks out several factors to consider when investing in new technology.
“First and foremost, quality,” he says, continuing: “Hybrid machines with a high-quality output enable the business to charge a higher margin, which in turn improves their ROI. Then, you should be considering speed; while higher speeds mean faster turnover of jobs and improved productivity, ensure these speeds can be achieved without compromising quality.
“Also consider the feature of the machine. The best performing hybrid machines include media transport systems such as intelligent vacuum systems with sensors and mesh conveyor belts with clips. In addition, automation features that increase productivity are becoming increasingly sought after.
“I’d also advise researching the ink performance and their performance on a range of rigid substrates and flexible media. In addition, it may be worth considering working with curing technology as hybrid machines with LED UV curing enable fast drying times and quicker job turnarounds.”
Working with a hybrid machine like this makes investment in technology cheaper for users”
With this, Holdom goes on to discuss the options available from Fujifilm. He begins with the Acuity Prime Hybrid, which, modelled on the Acuity Prime flatbed press, can handle rigid and flexible media.
The Acuity Ultra Hybrid LED from Fujifilm delivers a print resolution of 1200 x 1200dpi
“When used as a flatbed, it can print on substrates up to 2m in width at production quality from 92sq m/hr,” Holdom says, adding: “It can also print on up to four pieces of rigid media simultaneously, and features registration pins for highly precise edge to edge printing. The roll-fed configuration can be loaded with two rolls each up to 0.9m wide.”
Fujifilm also offers the Acuity Ultra Hybrid LED 3.3m high-end printer, which builds on the functionalities of the Acuity Ultra R2 to offer hybrid printing across both rigid and flexible substrates.
O Factoid: Fujifilm’s Acuity Prime flatbed press can print on up to four pieces of rigid media at the same time O
“It prints at speeds of up to 218sq m/hr (RTR) and delivers a print resolution of up to 1200 x 1200dpi,” Holdom says, adding: “The printer combines ultra-high quality and a competitive return on investment for both rigid and flexible applications, all in one platform.”
Productivity Benefits
Elsewhere, the aptly named Hybrid Services, which exclusively distributes Mimaki kit in the UK and Ireland, has several hybrid machines in its portfolio. Andrew Gregory, sales director at Hybrid Services, says there are numerous benefits to be had from using an integrated printer and cutter device, highlighting the Mimaki CJV330-160 as one such machine.
Based on UV technology, the new Mimaki UCJV330-160 was launched in the UK in February by Hybrid Services
“By combining the two functions into one unit, the footprint is minimised, saving valuable floor space,” Gregory says, adding: “This also aids workflow, with Mimaki’s printer/cutters automating many of the manual tasks found on alternative technologies, such as applying the correct pinch roller pressure for each part of the print and cut process.
“Furthermore, Mimaki’s integrated print and cut models offer improved accuracy and creativity, with precise alignment of the cutting paths to the print job ensured through the device’s optical registration mark detection. With their unique die-cut capabilities, in addition to kiss-cutting self-adhesive materials, Mimaki’s print and cut models can also die-cut the backing sheet, allowing sign-makers to deliver stacks of stickers, rather than relying on the end customer peeling them off a sheet.
“Finally, investing in an integrated print and cut device can be financially beneficial, with integrated machines typically costing less than a separate printer and cutter would. While for some businesses, the productivity benefits of using a dedicated printer alongside a vinyl cutter outweigh the advantages of an integrated device, with Mimaki’s high production integrated printer/cutters the potential output volume can still allow significant amounts of work to be produced, with a lower capital investment.”
Referring back to the CJV330-160, this is one of two integrated printer/cutters in the 330 Series, with the other being the UCJV330-160. Both are 1.6m models and deliver high production for users.
The CJV330-160 is a solvent machine while the new UCJV330-160, which launched at Sign & Digital UK 2024 in February, uses the latest LED UV technology to print to a range of materials with instantly dry ink. Gregory goes as far as describing the UCJV330-160 as a “production powerhouse”, with the ability to deliver high quality stickers and labels, as well as printing onto a backlit fabric to make a spectacular illuminated lightbox.
“With the option to run clear ink, the UCJV330-160 is also a highly creative solution, with 2.5D printing capabilities that add texture to prints,” Gregory says, adding: “It also excels at printing onto clear or coloured substrates, thanks to its bright, white ink.
“As the inks cure instantly, it’s the ideal solution for when time is of the essence, with finishing and shipping possible immediately after printing, making it a boon for busy print production setups.”
Hybrid Services and Mimaki also offer the existing Mimaki CJV150 printer/cutter, with this machine being used by all manner of companies to produce work. One such business is Stripes & Graphics, which says its investment in the device at the end of 2020 has allowed it to develop new product lines, expand its team, and attract new customers.
“We’d previously bought in our print requirement, but as the business grew, we needed to ensure we gained tighter control of our supplies,” says Sean Beeston of Stripes & Graphics, adding: “The Mimaki has been central to our growth as, throughout the pandemic, we were able to offer a wider variety of products that meet the needs of new and existing clients.
“Aside from the fact we can offer a wider product range, we’re saving around £4-5,000 a month by producing digital print on the Mimaki ourselves.”
Maximise Profit
Also in attendance at the recent Sign & Digital UK 2024 at the NEC was Quality Print Services (QPS), a specialist in providing wide-format print solutions to the market. Visitors to the QPS stand in February were able to view several solutions from partner manufacturer ColorJet, including one hybrid machine that stood out in particular.
Created by ColorJet, the Vulcan Hybrid X is a range of three printers, all of which are billed as two-in-one printers that “maximise profit” for the user. Each machine in the range runs as both a flatbed and roll-to-roll printer, with the ability to print on rigid substrates including ACP, foam, board, flute board, glass, ceramic tiles, and wood, as well as a range of flexible materials. As such, the manufacturer says that these attributes make the machines ideal for use in a whole host of signage and related projects.
All three models in the Vulcan Hybrid X range are similar in terms of technical specifications and only differ in terms of colour selection and printhead arrangement. The V2001Y can print in CMYK/LC/LM+WX with two to six Kyocera printheads. The V2001R5 offers printing in CMYK/LC/LM+W+V with two to nine Ricoh 5 printheads. Finally, the V2001R6 model also offers CMYK/LC/LM+W+V with two to nine Rioch 6 printheads.
“Explicitly designed to satisfy the multipurpose needs of processing enterprises, Vulcan Hybrid X is a 2m, high-speed printer that delivers highly precise results in no time,” ColorJet says, adding: “The machine can be used as both flatbed and roll-to-roll printers and boosts business growth with a higher return on investment.”
To sum up, there is no shortage of choice when it comes to hybrid printing machines with a wide range of options on offer to the market and more machines becoming available all the time. We are almost certain to see further developments in hybrid machines when the doors to drupa 2024 open in late May, with manufacturers from around the world gathering to show off their latest solutions.
Given the many advantages these machines offer to users – from cost savings to more floor space – it is pretty safe to say interest in the technology, both new and existing, will continue to increase.
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