The Truepress Jet 560HDX offers apparently similar basic specifications with 1200 x 1200dpi maximum resolution and a maximum speed of 150m/min, but the web width has been increased to 560mm (22-in), which should support more efficient production of certain finished formats, and it’s understood that the higher speed will be attainable at the highest resolution and with heavier coverage, unlike previous presses.

Part of this is down to a new version of Screen’s inks, SC2. Like the previous SC and SC+ inksets, this newly developed ink allows printing directly onto offset coated papers without any pre-treatment. The new high optical density ink is said to produce high vibrancy colours that offer have ‘deep saturated hues’, along with ‘dense and neutral blacks for clearer printing of fine text and line work’.

The ink is complemented by a new drying system that Screen says allows substrates carrying high ink densities to be dried efficiently, supporting superior quality and wide-gamut printing on a wide range of papers.

The Truepress Jet 560HDX is also equipped with a new ‘fast start’ operating system that inherits and further improves on the Truepress series’ technologies. Screen did not provide much detail, but says the system ensures ‘flawless integration of all internal hardware and software as well as with both pre- and post-print ‘finishing equipment.

The new system will be displayed at Screen’s Inkjet Innovation Centres in the US and in Europe. It will make its public debut at drupa 2024.

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Described as a science fantasy black comedy, Poor Things was produced and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and released in September 2023, gathering both critical acclaim and awards including a Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival, two Golden Globe awards, BAFTA nominations and is shortlisted for the Academy Awards (‘Oscars’). It was shot on a combination of Kodak Ektachrome, Vision3 500T and Eastman Double-X Black & White 35mm film stocks, as part of the director’s intention to create ‘a unique and memorable visual setting’ for the fantastical story of the film. 

Kodak acted on the opportunity to complement the film with printed materials, resulting in the production of an 11-panel postcard set that features images captured on set by photographer Atsushi Nishijima. The photos were also shot on Kodak film, Professional Porta 400 in this case.

To support the global launch of the film across territories including the US, UK and EMEA region. 110,000 postcard sets were printed three-up on the Prosper Ultra 520 web press, on 185gsm Pixelle Enhanced HiBrite inkjet paper, running at speeds of up to152m/min. Once printed, the sets were cut, perforated and fan-folded for distribution.

‘The Poor Things postcard collection is not just a promotional endeavour; it’s a celebration of the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into creating memorable cinematic experiences. This joint project has shown that the Prosper Ultra 520 Press is ideally suited to efficiently producing high-quality, high-ink coverage work with short lead times,’ commented Denisse Goldbarg, Kodak’s chief marketing officer and head of EAMER Sales.

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Operating exclusively online, Realisaprint services over 50,000 customers across France, Spain and Italy from an 8000sqm production facility near Nice, France. It offers a range of products including brochures, flyers, signage, rigid panels and point of purchase displays. Dispatching up to 1500 order a day, the business has enjoyed year-on-year revenue growth of 25%.

The Pro Z75 inkjet will join an existing Ricoh Pro VC70000 web inkjet and two Ricoh C9200 sheet-fed dry toner presses. An important part of the purchase decision was the Pro Z75’s ability to connect to Realisaprint’s workflow automation, helping to optimise production efficiency. Data files relating to orders placed via the Realisaprint.com e-commerce site are automatically routed to the relevant production device based on size, volumes and preferred media. The new press will expand the format that can be printed on uncoated, inkjet treated or offset coated media to 585 x 750mm.

Realisaprint.com co-founder Rafael Mari said, ‘We are delighted to continue our close collaboration with Ricoh. Throughout the decision making process we were fully supported by Ricoh and its experts in Europe, Japan and America. The new press will enable the operation to continue to open up new sectors of the market such as commercial print applications, and it will also help to maximise our production capacity.’

Sander Sondaal, director, commercial print sales, Ricoh Graphic Communications, commented, ‘Boston Consulting Group reported that the most innovative companies  build resilience and advantage. Realisaprint.com’s is one of those operations. Its investment in the Pro Z75 is the latest step in its successful transition to a streamlined operating model. It will sit between the operation’s sheetfed toner and high speed inkjet technologies to help ensure the consistent, fast delivery of high quality applications.’

He also suggested that further orders are expected to be announced soon. 

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Based on the experience of the existing VC70000 and VC70000e models, the new machine is designed to produce ‘exceptional’ quality direct mail, colour books, catalogues, magazines and commercial print applications on coated media up to 300gsm. The new press offers throughput of up to 150m/min at 1200 x 600dpi, but also offers full 1200 x 1200dpi for more demanding applications, albeit at reduced speed.

This is supported by a number of automation and productivity-enhancing aspects that Ricoh says drive down the total cost of ownership. These include a completely new drying system that brings the press up operating temperature up to twice as fast as ‘typical’ competing systems. There is also a built-in scanner/spectrophotometer – available as an option on the VC70000 – that measures and corrects on-the-fly for colour consistency and back-to-front registration accuracy, eliminating manual adjustment.

A quick paper setup function allows media types not already stored in the media library to be profiled automatically and SmartStart allows automated machine setup prior to the start of a shift without an operator on site.

Operational information from the Pro Scanner is collected and interpreted by Ricoh Supervisor software, which creates web-based dashboard views using analytics from its business intelligence tool to optimise device utilisation and throughput, for the both the VC8000 and any other connected print device. Enhanced communication with inline finishing equipment helps complex end-to-end production setups work more effectively; this includes auto-splicing units for non-stop production and/or on-the-f;y paper changes.

The Pro VC80000 has been in beta test at Sattler Media Group in Germany, where Christian Haneke, innovation and solutions manager, commented, ‘The level of automation achieved by Ricoh’s Pro VC80000, combined with up to 50% higher output of high quality products compared to our current technology, as well as its operator-friendly approach, is transforming the role that inkjet plays in Sattler Media Group’s production portfolio.’

Eef de Ridder, vice president, Graphic Communications Group, Ricoh Europe, said, ‘Our high-speed inkjet clients share similar production challenges: they need high speed capacity to fulfil large orders and tighter turnaround times, and tools to make operating their presses easier and more efficient. The Ricoh Pro VC80000 is built on what made the previous generation a client favourite and is a testament to our commitment to helping clients solve their challenges. It sets a new standard in automation and data-first intelligence to increase productivity and usable output with consistency across operators and shifts.’

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Mercury has been a user of Kodak’s Prosper inkjet printing technology since 2011, producing up to 10 million pages per day. The firm will use the new 7000 Turbo Press for wide range of print jobs, including educational, trade and children’s books, personalised direct mail, marketing collateral and transactional documents, as well as short- to medium-run packaging requiring variable print.

John Place, CEO of Mercury Print Productions, commented, ‘Our primary goal with this investment is to enhance our production capabilities, improve efficiency and offer our customers a broader range of printing options. We aim to provide faster turnaround times, greater substrate flexibility and capabilities, and consistent print quality across various substrates. We needed another press as we have experienced a significant increase in demand for digitally-printed products as our customers continue to look for solutions that offer offset quality while allowing for the flexibility that inkjet provides. It enables our customers to order what they need, when they need it.’

Christian Schamberger, president, explained Mercury’s renewed decision in favour of Kodak: ‘The Prosper 7000 Turbo Press stood out for its exceptional speed, high-resolution capabilities and versatile substrate compatibility. It aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing our customers with the best possible print quality and options. What’s more, Kodak’s commitment to continuous improvement and investment in inkjet technology aligns with our long-term growth strategy.’

Capable of 410m/min in ‘Turbo mode (600 x 450dpi), equivalent to 5523 US Letter pages per minute, the Prosper 7000 Turbo will increase Mercury’s inkjet capacity by approximately 40-50%.

‘We thank our long-standing customer Mercury Print Productions for their continued confidence in Kodak’s technology and our commitment to innovation. With this latest investment, Mercury takes a major leap forward in digital capacity, production versatility and business opportunities,’ said Jim Continenza, executive chairman and CEO, Kodak. ‘The Prosper 7000 Turbo Press, with its unmatched speed and incredible application range, enables users in wide areas of the commercial and publishing printing markets to print a wide variety of jobs more productively and profitably than ever before.’

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Printforce was founded in 2001 in the Netherlands and arrived in the UK in 2019 with the launch of its soft cover production line, shortly followed by an expansion to include hard covers. The ColorStream 8000 and VarioPrint iX 3200have been added to increase capacity, speed and quality. They have enabled Printforce to shift to roll-to-roll printing with a separate finishing system, which provides increased stability and flexibility throughout the production workflow. With theaddition of the iX sheet-fed press, the company is better positioned to begin phasing out toner equipment and move fully to inkjet, in order to maximise efficiency.

Since installing the ColorStream 8000, the company has increased production speed from 75 to 133m/min. This has also provided more flexibility and efficiency in paper choice, allowing the business to offer a more diverse range of applications, while minimising waste. Low power and ink consumption levels were also key considerations in the investment decision.

Meanwhile, print and direct mail agency Data Mail Solutions (DMS) has invested in Canon’s ColorStream 6000, ImagePress V1000 and Prisma workflow to accelerate its digital transformation at its new factory in Crawley, West Sussex. DMS was the first company in the UK to install Canon’s VarioPrint iX3200 in 2020; and the more recent installations at its new factory will ‘take its printing ecosystem to the next level’, with the ColorStream and ImagePress V1000 expected to increase quality and improve productivity so that the business can keep up with evolving demands across the multiple industries it serves.

Sustainability and end-user cost efficiency were key considerations when choosing technology investment, especially as DMS has been a certified carbon balanced printer since February 2021 and plans to become carbon neutral by 2030. So far, DMS reports an over 200% increase in its current digital production speeds and anticipates that the secure Prisma Production workflow tools will provide the data needed to maximise the performance of these devices, including monitoring, analysis and cost allocation. 

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The new Antaro perfect binder is available in two versions. It is described as a compact perfect binder platform that is suitable for highly flexible use. In on-demand applications, it can produce digitally-printed single books at up to 2000 cycles per hour, an output rate that Muller claims no other machine currently on the market can match, and with the lowest staffing levels. In the conventional version, it delivers up to 4000 cycles per hour.

The Antaro models enable digital nearline or inline production as well as conventional production, and so cater for a wide range of customer requirements. Muller says it also offers a high level of investment protection, because the system can be expanded and adapted on a modular basis.

Antaro Digital offers fully automated single-book production with manual feed or inline connection to the SigmaLine Compact digital book production system (see below). With six clamps, up to 2000 individual books can be produced per hour. The regular Antaro version can achieve 4000 cycles/hour in combination with a gathering machine and a three-knife trimmer.

The units’ compact design is said to reduce floorspace and to require fewer than half the number of operators of alternatives. A swing clamp system allows continuous production of books with automatic adjustment for up 20mm thickness variance from book to book. Both EVA and PUR glues are supported, and a newly designed drum cover feeder and cover buffer for the digital version plus barcode reading ensure matching of covers to inners.

Muller is also now shipping the SigmaLine Compact book block system for use with roll-fed digital presses. The unit has a variable configuration but occupies only 40sqm of floor space. Muller says it can change folding schemes – from three across to four across, for example – in 10 seconds, increasing productivity and reducing set-up and changeover times via the Connex workflow. Waste generated during format change is limited to a few metres, and as with the Antaro units, less operator supervision is required.

The SigmaLine Compact handles rolls up to 22.5in (571mm) wide and embodies Muller’s ‘air knife’ folding technology found in the larger SigmaLine III units. It is suitable for producing blocks for softcover, hardcover, thread sewed and saddle stitched products.

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The 50-plus year-old company produces high quality books, catalogues and brochures. Acquired in 2018 by co-owners Andy Watts and Andy Adams, the business now employs 146 people and offers a range of services, including self-publishing.

Building on its existing relationship with Canon that began over a decade ago, TJ Books invested in the new ColorStream 8000 Series in a bid to optimise its production workflows and meet changing customer requirements. The web presses, which Canon says combine high production efficiencies and low operational costs, are enabling TJ Books to migrate more of its print work to inkjet, freeing up resources to support its litho operations.

Managing director Andy Watts said, ‘With the new ColorStream devices we’re minimising the need for hands-on support and moving closer and closer to an automated production line. We’re thrilled about this new technology, which has also allowed us to take on larger volumes of work and ensure that like-for-like quality of bespoke work is delivered to customers at speed.’

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In February 2023, the digital fluid applicator (DFA) system, sold by Ricoh and installed inline with the Ricoh Pro VC70000 web inkjet, has offered Isiprint the ability to remoisten paper, thus preventing problems associated with uncontrolled reabsorption of moisture.

Olivier Guermouh, managing partner of Estimprim and Isiprint, explained, ‘We produce magazines and books for major publishers, ranging from 100 to 1500 copies. Although our printing is of a high quality, we were looking to improve the finished product, which was affected by the defects inherent in rotary inkjet printing. Coated paper tended to curl or change format slightly, and this was visible on the inside pages which, as it regained moisture, protruded from the cover.’

Curling and shrinkage are common problems with web inkjet printing; drying ink on printed paper requires a high temperature to evaporate the moisture in the ink, which also causes the substrate to dry out. Paper with a low moisture content is likely to break and crack. And being hygroscopic, it also tends to reabsorb moisture, resulting in curling, wavy edges and variations in format.

Compatible with all digital web inkjet presses, Contiweb’s DFA mixes tap water with a surfactant (with silicone oil optional) and applies it via steel contact rollers mechanically pressed against the paper web. Fabric sleeves around the rollers ensure even moisture distribution and remoistening can be applied independently to each side of the web. The DFA is placed inline between the printer and the rewinder and directly supplied with running water. Mr Guermouth explained, ‘We then indicate the quantity of water required for a print run, depending on the type of paper and ink load. Very little maintenance is required.

‘Since we’ve been using the DFA, we haven’t had any problems with humidity. The inside pages retain their original format, and curling has been considerably reduced. We can now offer high-quality colour printing with the Ricoh Pro VC70000 inkjet press, without any restrictions on the type of paper we use.’

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BR Printers’ first HP press installation was an HP T230 at its site in San Jose, California. Since then, its digital capacity has significantly grown with the addition of three HP T240 presses.

David Gall, vice president of BR West and chief strategy officer of BR Printers, said that the goal for these installations ‘was to create a unified, connected solution that complements offset facilities, expedites production and delivers high quality prints. Since purchasing our new HP digital presses, we’ve been able to exceed these priorities.’

Speaking about the latest additions, Adam DeMaestri, CEO and president of BR Printers stated, ‘The continued investment into HP PageWide web presses is creating new possibilities for our clients through high-volume and high-quality digital printing, resulting in greater ROI for their print projects. Our digital print portfolio has been significantly strengthened with the addition of these presses, demonstrating our dedication to making infrastructure investments in the latest technologies. Our diverse customer base will reap the benefits of these investments, as they enable BR to provide cutting-edge digital solutions to meet our client’s growing needs.’

Greg Fredwest, plant manager, at BR Printers, commented, ‘With these digital print additions, we’ve had the opportunity to be more nimble, more innovative, and more resilient in this fast-paced, competitive environment.’ These installations will support sustainability efforts at BR; the T240 HD comes equipped with energy-efficient features such as automatic shut-off, power-saving modes and uses water-based inks.

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