Signs of the Times - August 2012 - (Page 38)

TECHNOLOGY REVIEW By Chris and Kathi Morrison Chris and Kathi Morrison own and operate The Image Specialists, a full-service graphics company based in Clements, CA. Chris is also a Microsoft-certified systems engineer. Seiko’s ColorPainter Family – the W-64s and H2-104s Durable, high-gamut prints for signshops Wheadlines, you may printers in ith so many rookie the overlook established print-machine manufacturers; however, at day’s end, every printer has to do the job, which can mean different things to different signshops. Meaning, new technologies are good, and certainly consider the marketing buzzwords – but don’t give them all your attention. For example, if vehicle wraps are your shop’s main bread-and-butter, your printer choice requires rugged and element-resistant inks. Vehicle owners want loud and clear messages, so your printer choice must produce eye-popping colors and great detail. If banners bring home your bacon, then speed and quality are your printer demands. Many new printers nicely fit a niche, but first ask if you market, sell and prosper from that niche. We’ve observed that most shops gain mainstream revenue by printing on adhesive-back vinyl and banner media – markets well served by the pro-status manufacturers. Key Information Seiko Instruments USA, Inc. 2967 Wineridge Pl., Ste. C Escondido, CA 92029 (760) 781-5200 www.Seiko-i.com Contact: Pat Ryan, GM (760) 781-5200, Pat.ryan@seikoinstruments.com Seiko ColorPainter Seiko has constantly improved its ColorPainter printer’s core technology – solvent-ink printing – and offers several printers that address most signshops’ needs. But, solvent inks? Yes, solvent provides durable images with vibrant colors. And, Seiko’s GX ink is king of the solvent arena; plus, its printhead technology produces amazing image detail. Also, you can choose from two machine types and four printing widths. For the budget minded, the W-64s and W-54s offer 64- or 54-in. media widths, with either a four-or six-color ink configuration. Further, Seiko recently announced two new “neon” spot-color inks that glow under blacklight – ideal for nighttime graphics in nightclubs and cosmic bowling. If you need more width or superfast speeds, choose one of Seiko’s H2 printers – the 74-in.-wide H2-74s or the 104-in.-wide H2-104s. Need high-color gamut? Choose the eightcolor mode. With it, you get more detail in dark areas (which creates better backlit graphics) and can print true gray-scale images via the black, gray and light-gray inks. Need speed? Choose the dual CMYK mode. Seiko recently announced its high-production, four-color H2P printer that features an integrated, high-capacity ink system with three liters per color and low ink costs. Seiko says its high-density inks use fewer carriers and more pigment, and that each dot is crisp, with strong clarity and detail. Its W-54s and W-64s’ non-HAPs, IX inks offer outstanding printing characteristics and image durability, but also lack the hazardous chemicals that typically require ventilation systems. If you work with 3M media, the GX 3M ink (for the H2 printers) allows a full 3M MCS warranty. Our advice? Don’t overlook the digital-printing industry’s veteran manufacturers. Truth is, Seiko provides printers and inks that hit the principal, sign-industry sweet spot – vinyl signs, vehicle wraps and banners. Check them out. Seiko’s ColorPainter Specs: Features Print Heads Resolution Max. Media Width Max. Media Weight Ink Options Colors Dimensions (W x D x H) Weight ColorPainter W-64s and W-54s Piezo, four / six colors Up to 900 x 900 dpi 64 in. / 54 in. 53 lbs. GX low-solvent, high-viscosity, IX low-odor, HAPs-free high-viscosity CMYK / CMYKlclm 112 x 33 x 50 in. / 102 x 33 x 50 in. 484 lbs. / 451 lbs. ColorPainter H2-104s and H2-74s Piezo, nine / eight colors Up to 900 x 900 dpi 104 in. / 74.8 in. 264 lbs. / 110 lbs. GX low-solvent, high-viscosity, GX 3M low-solvent, high-viscosity CMYKlclm, gray, lt. gray 162 x 54 x 60 in. / 133 x 50 x 60 in. 1,322 lbs. / 992 lbs. 38 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / AUGUST 2012 / www.signweb.com http://www.Seiko-i.com http://www.signweb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - August 2012

Signs of the Times - August 2012
ST Update
Technology Update
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Software Update
Technology Review
Technology Review
New Products
The Value of Signs
Casino and Gaming Signage
A Commercial-Sign Company Snapshot
Business is Blowing Up
Built to Last
Industry News
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking

Signs of the Times - August 2012

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