Signs of the Times - September 2013 - (Page 48)

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. KIP C7800 Color System Poster Printer Fits into the POS and POP print market, but also in the sign market We recently encounteredPrinter, the KIP C7800 Color System Poster a medium-format, LED-lamped system that’s geared for the short-run, POS and POP printed-poster market. We were impressed that it superfast produced waterproof, UV-stable images with minimal operator stress. For example, it will dry-technology produce 540, 24 x 36-in. (A1/D size) posters/hour or 270, 36 x 48-in. (AO/E size) posters/hour – think 9 or 4.5 posters a minute. The C7800 is a 600 x 2,400-dpi, LED-array, electro-photography printer that, essentially, houses an electrostatic/toner-transfer system that, the company says, is a significant departure from traditional inkjet technologies. It will make a 10 ft. x 36-in.-wide banner in less than 40 seconds. The dry-toner technology provides consistent, throughput production at full engine speed, which can produce 660 black-and-white, D-size images, or 540 D-size color images/ hour, with mixed-set collation of up Key Information KIP America 39575 W. 13 Mile Rd. Novi, MI 48377 (800) 252-6793 www.kip.com Contact: Tim Horn, VP sales (800) 252-6793, X 6055, thorn@kipamerica.com to 1,000 prints. The printed images are ready for use. An internal, proprietary RIP drives the C7800, but you can interface it with other RIPs. Also, a cost-review application provides immediate cost reporting on all jobs. The machine fits nicely into the POS and POP poster-print market, but it’s also suitable for sign markets. KIP offers various media – banners and clear, adhesive-backed film and heavyweight poster media for retail, restaurant and campaign sign and poster applications. It features many of the traditional tools found in architectural, engin- Specifications: KIP C7800 Color System Poster Printer DPI 600 x 2,400 Technology LED-array electro-photography Print Speed, B&W Up to 4,200 sq. ft./hr. Print Speed, Color Up to 3,500 sq. ft./hr. Media Feed 3 rolls Paper Capacity 4,500 sq. ft. (auto sheet feeder) Output Sizes, Width 11 - 36 in. Output Sizes, Length 8.5 in. - 130 ft. 48 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / SEPTEMBER 2013 / www.signweb.com eering, business-graphics printers – cut, fold and collate, for example – that you wouldn’t normally see in a signshop printer. But, because these are built in, why not take advantage? You could print mockups and samples for package- and graphic-design firms, for example. Three media decks and an autosheet feeder deliver mixed print sizes at full production speed. A quick-switch system eliminates rollswitching delays, and, to ensure precision imaging, the system automatically performs media calibrations. In cost per copy and speed, it outperforms most inkjet technologies, although it’s somewhat limited in media options, especially compared to UV-cure-, latex- or solvent-ink systems. However, the printer will image on bond, poster, banner, films and backlit materials. You could call it a cross-over machine – a step away from document imaging and close, but not completely onboard, for signmaking or types of screenprinting. It operates quietly – sans odors – in an office environment. The C7800 could open up new opportunities for a one-stop signshop. It produces saleable prints and solves many “green” restrictions. And, it could solve any turnaround bottlenecks. If you’re thinking of adding POS or POP poster printing, or replacing some of your screenprinting work, take a look at KIP’s C7800. ■ http://www.kip.com http://www.signweb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - September 2013

Signs of the Times - September 2013
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Who Uses the Phone Book?
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Commercial
Lighting Techniques
The Moving Message
Technology Review - DGS 3D POP store system
Technology Review - KIP C7800 poster printer
Design Matters
New Products
When the Cheering Starts
Enter the ST Intl. Sign Contest!
Starting at the Bottom
LED Lamps for Box/Cabinet Signs
The Aria’s 260-ft. Pylon Sign
Industry News
Advertising index
Editorially speaking

Signs of the Times - September 2013