Multipurpose inkjet technology brings versatile digital printing

The Agfa acquisition of Dotrix is ​​an inkjet printer manufacturer. The company is very much in agreement with the advantages of inkjet technology and believes that inkjet printing represents the direction of digital printing. However, the potential of inkjet technology can best be seen from the perspective of the user. The following is a view of Gardners, a professional printing company in the UK.

Multipurpose inkjet technology brings versatile digital printing

Since toner-based systems already have such a large share in the digital printing market, why does Agfa have to step into inkjet technology? Jan Van Daele, VP of image solutions at Agfa, said: "Simplely, inkjet technology provides the most powerful features in terms of color accuracy, material flexibility, and finishing equipment configuration."

Why ink jet

In the past five years, inkjet has grown from basic desktop printing to a contract print and large format print series. Few other technologies can progress so quickly in such a short time and continue to innovate. Variable-dot technology is a recent innovation. By changing the size of the ink droplets, the inkjet system can complete a 3-bit grayscale or achieve 8 grays per point. Therefore, the accuracy is higher and the color gamut is wider. Combine this with random screening to get exciting color and photo-like quality.

The inkjet head is suitable for a variety of ink-UV, dye, color, or oily inks. Each has different characteristics, such as for outdoor display cards or to provide wider color gamut for packaging printing. The biggest benefit of inkjet technology is that it can be printed on different materials. For example, oily inks, such as offset inks, are suitable for use in non-paint and absorbent paper and can therefore be used in newspaper printing. UV inks can adhere to anything from cardboard to plastic and glass. The inkjet system can handle four-color, six-color and eight-color printing. Its potential is endless, it can be increased by increasing the color gamut, and metal inks can also be used for the film.

"Using a single system and investing can be applied in multiple ways and simplify color management."

In addition, using a single system and technology can apply and simplify color management in multiple ways. Make the same design on a variety of media and ensure that the colors are the same regardless of whether it is a display or outdoor advertising or product sample.

Inkjet technology is far more functional than a toner-based system. Agfa has developed a digital printing technology called SPICE or Single Pass Inkjet Colour Engine. Because SPICE can be integrated with any media transmission system, it is very flexible. This means that you are not limited to a specific location and you can apply it to a flat surface, a drum or a traditional print. For example: Marte Andy used SPICE in his label system, Mark Andy DT 2200.

Gardners' point of view

　　 Gardners, based in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, is an innovative company with more than 100 employees. The company's aim is to "commit to providing customers with the best service and the most innovative products at a competitive price." The company has a very large number of patents and copyrights, covering a wide range, from outdoor advertising media, light boxes, textiles, metal or aluminum dyeing , as well as financial special paste technology. Gardners also produces sales materials, signage and labels.

Screen printing is Gardners' main production technology. At present, digital printing accounts for 50% of the company's output value. This has been growing

Buying Agfa: The main reason for the Dotrix digital printing system is that it can reproduce the same thing on a variety of different media and maintain color consistency. Richard Gardner, chairman and chairman of the company's management, said: “This printing is very flexible and can be printed on film, plastic or coated paper. We are also developing our indoor coating substrate.: Dotrix allows us to be different The material printing is of great significance to us, and it also gives us the opportunity to increase and enrich the product line."

Gardner expects that the investment in Dotrix will soon be rewarded, and that it has received positive responses from major retailers and financial institutions due to the flexibility of printing. Mr. Gardner said: "Our customers are pleasantly surprised to find that the special screens have brought excellent print quality."

Gardners has been working well with Agfa's R&D department and Agfa is committed to working with customers to develop greater print flexibility. Mr. Gardner said: "With Dotrix printing, our customers and employees can participate in the most innovative technologies in the print media market."

The new technology installed by Gardners is showing the progress of digital inkjet printing. It also explains why Agfa regards inkjet as a future technology.