Canon has launched new ink and print head technology for its roll-to-roll printers that it says will slash printing costs by up to 40% compared to eco-solvent or latex.
The new UV gel system - rolled out at the SGIA Expo in Las Vegas - will feature in a new line of roll-to-roll printers that will offer large format print providers an unprecedented combination of productivity, image quality, application range, automation and low cost of operation.
“The radically new UV curable ink on which this technology is based gels on contact with media, which results in precise dot placement and area control, for perfectly repeatable images at high speed," says Adrian Morris, Canon Australia's manager of Display Graphics. "The ultra-thin ink dispersion gives the print virtually no discernable physical profile and dramatically cuts printing costs by up to 40 per cent compared with conventional eco-solvent or latex printing.
“In addition, the unique ink formulation provides the wide colour gamut of solvent inks, together with the environmental advantages and safety profile of latex and UV inks – it’s a fantastic combination.”
Morris says the Professional Print team at Canon Australia is looking forward to introducing local businesses to the new system. “The potential is extremely exciting with technological advances encompassing both ink and print head developments. It provides an entirely new way for print businesses to produce cost-effective, high quality printing with non-toxic, durable, and colour-fast results on virtually any flexible media."
The ink technology is complemented by hardware developments including advanced ‘next generation’ piezoelectric print heads and allows monitoring of nozzle performance on-the-fly during printing.
"The development of this revolutionary and game-changing new technology evolved through close collaboration and partnership with our customers and expert resellers, and heavy investment in R&D" says Jeppe Frandsen, Executive Vice-President, Canon Europe.
UVgel also features a unique LED UV curing sub-system, completely independent of the printing system, which ensures identical jetting to curing time for every ink droplet – a feature Morris says provides unprecedented uniformity across the printed image.
“Canon is already a leader in the flat-bed market with the award-winning Océ Arizona series of printers and the significant investment in this new technology establishes a new era of leadership in the roll-fed sector, complementing popular products such as the imagePROGRAF range and clearly demonstrating Canon’s continued commitment to the digital graphics market."