in the next 12-18 months, I think we’ll
see ink drop sizes continue to get
smaller and create better quality, and
I think we’ll see that inkjet technology
continues to expand and allow for faster
printing with those smaller drops,”
added Becky McConnell, Product
Marketing Manager at FUJIFILM North
America’s Graphic Systems Division.
When Size Truly Matters
For shops that are taking these fl atbed
trends to heart and looking to invest,
the fi rst thing to consider is what size
will work best for the shop. Flatbeds
come in a range of sizes, and not every
shop will want—or need—the biggest
one out there. Experts note that an
estimated 80-90% of the work printed
on fl atbeds in the US tends to fall into a
narrow range of sizes.
“Size does matter for greater versatility,
but it’s primarily a 4’ x 8’ world and
that is the most common size of substrate
used and subsequently the most
Mutoh VJ1638UH
common printer size,” said Paar. “Th ere
are larger size printers available that
can support 5 foot by 10 foot substrates
and even printers that support an 8’ x
10’ print area. Don’t limit your capabilities
by getting too small a printer just
to try and save a few dollars. Being able
to take on jobs larger than 4’ x 8’ can
provide a competitive edge that in some
cases can quickly compensate for the
increased investment.”
Th at said, shops with a focus on
volume may want to consider larger fl atbeds
that allow them to produce more
applications simultaneously.” “Th e larger
4x8 fl atbeds allow shops to incorporate
new applications where they would not
be able to accommodate with a smaller
desktop unit,” agreed Conrad. “Shop
space can also dictate the type
or size of printer that can be
utilized. Sometimes, if the opportunity
warrants, shops will
want to expand into a larger
space or replace existing printer
technology with the fl atbed to
accommodate new applications
or to satisfy multiple applications
with a single device
making the shop more effi cient.”
Investing Wisely
Size alone won’t determine whether a
fl atbed printer will be a good investment
Mimaki UV Keg Zeppelin Mirror
for any given shop in the coming
months. Our experts noted that there
are a number of other things to take
into consideration.
“Th e best tip for success is to test early
and oft en,” stressed Hope. “PSPs should
make sure the ink matches the application,
and that the adhesion is good.
PSPs should be very careful in selecting
the target materials. A small savings in
the raw product can cost you
more if the cheaper product
does not hold ink as well as a
name brand item might. Keep a
range of adhesion promoters on
hand and use them if needed to
test challenging materials.”
“Before investing in a fl atbed,
users should fi rst consider
what they want to specialize
in, or if they want to specialize
at all,” advised Roberts. “We have seen
many successful end users that do not
actually specialize in a particular type
of printing. On the other hand, some of
our most successful customers do specialize
in specifi c printing applications.
Either way, wide-format fl atbeds give
you the option of printing directly on
a vast array of substrates and objects.
Whether you’ll be specializing, or not,
it’s important to understand the requirements
for successful UV printing
before making an investment.”
Issues that arise for customers are
more oft en media-related than printer
related. Since a UV fl atbed lets you
print on just about anything, it’s important
to know the challenges printing
on certain types of media or objects can
pose. In some cases, this may require a
little extra research and experience. Be
aware of the possibilities and challenges,
as well as the expectations of your
customers, and understand how to
deliver the end products they expect.
It’s also about fi nding a printer that
will work within the existing systems.
Hanulec said: “In a mature market
there are good alternatives and PSPs
should look for a partner that develops
the printer, ink, and RIP tech together
as a system. Th ere are several manufacturers
who build a printer, then
source and ink and a RIP, then they put
them together to make them work. But
truth is they are diff erent components
from diff erent companies. And then,
always partner with someone who has
a solid support and services network
so you can get up quickly and stay that
way — when printer is running you’re
making money.”
Should Your Shop Go Flat
in 2018?
Th e question of whether your shop
should invest in fl atbed technology
that will garner a diff erent response
among each individual case. But there
is no denying that the fl atbed market
is booming—with new technologies,
substrates, and inks that allow a much
wider range of creative applications. As
the commercial print market continues
to consolidate, and more shops begin to
off er a broader range of services under
the same roof the importance of having
this equipment on hand will most likely
increase. A fl atbed printer could just be
the tool you need to stand out among
the competition.
PrintingNewscom April 2018 Wide-Format & Signage 23
/PrintingNews.com