Page 20 - Print21 November-December 2021

Inkjet Printing
Kodak Prosper Ultra 520
Kodak is making a major move into inkjet presses, targeting the commercial print and publishing markets with new high-resolution, high-speed system Kodak Prosper Ultra 520, using its Ultrastream print heads.
There are two versions of
the press: the Ultra P520 for publishing applications with
lower ink coverage requirements, and Ultra C520 for commercial print applications with higher ink coverage. The Ultra C520 comes with additional drying in the form of four drying units to cope with this on standard offset papers.
Kodak says the Ultra 520 delivers offset-like quality at a consistent production speed of 150 meters a minute on glossy papers with high ink coverage and variable print. The Ultra C520 will print at full speed
on paper from 45-270gsm; the P520 on 45-160gsm, while at heavier weights this version may need to dial down the speed. Kodak claims this
is all at the industry’s lowest cost of operation.
Ricoh Pro VC70000
Ricoh says its latest high-speed continuous feed inkjet printer, the Pro VC70000, is designed to enable commercial printers to switch from offset to digital printing and capture the bulk of the market.
The Ricoh Pro VC70000 has a new ink that means it will adhere to offset papers, without the need for a primer, undercoat, or post-print coating to be applied.
The new pigment inks have higher viscosity with less water
Above
Two versions at 150 metres a minute: Kodak Ultra
No need for primer: Ricoh Pro VC70000
Below
DIrect onto offset stocks: Screen TruePress Jet 520HD
than previous inks, giving a higher concentration of pigment, which reduces bleeding into the substrate. Using standard offset papers reduces the cost over optimised inkjet papers by between 20-40 per cent.
Henryk Kraszewski, product marketing manager at Ricoh, says, “When you look at the three factors of commercial print – image quality, productivity and ability to print
on standard offset stocks – the Pro VC70000 has them all. Its multi-drop 1200x1200dpi resolution is high; the new water-based pigment inks have
a higher density and broader gamut than anything that has gone before. It will print on offset stocks both coated and uncoated, as well as inkjet specific stocks.”
The Pro VC70000 uses piezo printhead technology, able to generate a range of droplets sizes from 2pl to 23pl at four grey levels. Maximum speed is 150 metres a minute, though slower according to the paper used. The paper range is from 40gsm to 250gsm.
Screen Truepress Jet 520HD
Screen GP says its Truepress Jet 520HD high-definition inkjet web press delivers “realistic images at the boundaries of inkjet printing”. It says
when used with SC ink it delivers the same quality as offset, directly onto offset stocks at a print speed of 150 metres a minute.
The company – known for its precision engineering – says that with its 1200 dpi resolution and precise droplet size control, the Truepress Jet520HD achieves the colours, textures, details and solid ink areas expected for high-end publication and commercial work.
Truepress Jet 520HD digital web press can work with Screen’s SC inks. This combination enables a broad range of standard offset stocks to be printed by inkjet, delivering vibrancy and resolutions comparable to the best offset.
The SC inks are proprietary water-based inks designed to print directly onto offset coated paper. The permeability and adhesion technologies eliminate the necessity for an anchor coat to be laid down first, which both preserves the nature of the stock and reduces operating costs.
The inks use high-density pigments across all colours on a wide range of papers, including standard offset coated stocks. The variable size droplets are to maximise
print quality and minimise ink consumption. Stock capabilities are from 40 to 250 gsm. 21
Above right
20 Print21 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021