Page 24 - Print21 March-April 2020

Revolution in Print
Sheetfed inkjet –
is its time coming?
Are sheetfed B2 digital presses about to enter the mainstream? Print21 editor Wayne Robinson investigates.
Digital toner presses have been around for more than a quarter
of a century, and have virtually wiped out the
A3 litho market, and no wonder
– with their ability to print direct from the file, instantly, with no makeready, no waste, and produce quality that these days is to the layman at least indistinguishable from offset, combined with inline finishing, and an operator training period that will take four days compared to four years for an offset operator, the benefits are clear
and compelling. Add to this an investment level at a fraction of the price of an offset press and, for most printers, it is a no brainer.
However, for the larger sheet
sizes, B2 and B1 in particular, digital printing, with one major and a couple of minor exceptions, has so far failed to make an impression. But, is all that about to change?
Digital B2 has been around for since 2008, when Fujifilm and Screen launched systems at drupa. Since then both systems have
been through several upgrades.
Both use aqueous inks. Both have installations in print businesses, but, it is safe to say neither has yet had a major impact. Also available now is the B2 Konica Minolta AccurioPress KM-1, and also its sister product,
the Komori Impremia S29. Both are UV printers. The KM-1 has a trio of installations here.
24 Print21 MARCH/APRIL 2020