Q: What printer is a good choice for printing on paper?
A: Depending on the product, there are several available technologies. If you are looking to print blueback paper for large format billboards or maybe premium urban ads like rolling posters - ecosolvent or waterbased inks are a good choice. Industrial printers like the modern Gongzheng GZM3206ET or ecosolvent printers like ThunderJet AQ1804S are good options. If your approach is more towards waterbased inks, printers like Apsaras G5 or G7 are great for the job. Some applications could be produced with UV LED printers as well, but there are certain limits to the technology.
Q: I need to print self-adhesive vinyl. What is the most effective technology?
A: It depends on several factors. Usually ecosolvent printers are the best option. There is a wide range of economy and premium materials, production cost is lowest, productivity can be very good, lamination is without issues, printer footprint is small and cost of ownership is very attractive. Printers like ThunderJet AQ1804S or ThunderJet AQ1802S are an excellent choice. If extreme flexibility (such as car wrapping) or lamination with special films is not needed, UV LED printers can produce very high quality products. Latex is also a competitive technology, but the actual cost of production is an order of magnitude above both ecosolvent and UV LED.
Q: I am in the cardboard packaging industry. Is there an alternative to the Durst P5 HS, AGFA Tauro, or HP 11000?
A: Cardboard packaging is a cost-sensitive business. Currently LED UV printers are the most economical solution, followed by printers using waterbased inks. One of the critical factors is process automation. Printers like GZF32KM Pro are an excellent choice: uncompromising quality with lower cost of ownership and the fastest ROI on the market. Self-developed media handling automation, minimal required maintenance downtime, fast startup period, simplified service procedures…
Q: I see that soft signage is the most profitable production type. Is there an option to get into that market without a huge investment?
A: Soft signage is currently produced in two ways: dye-sublimation and UV. Both technologies have good and bad sides. Printers using UV LED technology, such as GZH32KM or GZH52KM Pro, are an excellent choice due to their versatility and proven rubber roller motion. However, UV inks on polyester textiles have some downsides, especially on backlit applications. Dye-sublimation is superior in terms of color gamut, ink density, ink consumption, speed of production, product handling, etc. The problem is that the initial investment is very high — with traditional OEMs like Durst, EFI Reggiani, HP, … starting around 250.000 EUR. Another issue is that dye-sublimation inks are limited to indoor use, an additional process is required (sublimation by calender), and energy consumption is very high, etc. This is why we developed the extremely economical Apsaras G4D Max, which can be installed with an online or offline color fixation unit, or even without one (if the customer already has a calender like Monty Antonio, Transmatic, or Klieverik) — highest quality for a fraction of the price. Unbeatable in both ROI and cost of ownership.
