UV-cured printers for wide-format production have a new competitor; the Durst Rho P10 250. A combo printer capable of printing both rigid and roll media.

Durst, based in Italy, took advantage of the ISA Sign Expo 2012 to launch this new model, which comes in two widths, the P10 200 and P10 250.

Durst P10 250 UV-cured combo printer. Copyright FLAAR 2012

The Durst P10 250 can print on both rigid and flexible media. Copyright FLAAR 2012

The Rho P10 200/250 is a combo printer, therefore capable of printing on rigid, and roll media. The advantage over other models is the printhead’s ability to produce a drop as small as 10 picoliters (other Durst models produce a drop size of up to 80 pl). However, it is a more production oriented version than the Durst Omega1 UV printer launched at FESPA Hamburg 2011, which is capable of producing drop sizes as small as 6pl. But this Omega model is not sold in the United States.

Durst Omega 1 launched at FESPA Hamburg 2011, Copyright FLAAR 2012

In general the smaller the drop size, the higher the output quality, but you sacrifice on production times. On the other hand, if your printheads produce larger drop sizes you are able to print faster, but you sacrifice the quality.

Printout of the Durst Rho P10 250 with small drop size.

Durst Rho P10 250 sold at ISA 2012 trade show. Copyright FLAAR 2012

In that respect, this new Rho P10 produces a higher quality than other industrial printers with drop sizes that range from 30 to 80 picoliters.

Durst Rho P10 250 was launched at ISA 2012

Specs and prices

As mentioned above, this printer handles both rigid and flexible materials (roll and sheets). The basic model comes in CMYK, but Lc, Lm, W and process colors are available options. The maximum print width is 231 in (585 cm)

Durst Rho P10 250 at ISA 2012 tradeshow, wide-format printer image archive, Copyright FLAAR 2012

As for the price, according to Durst personnel at ISA Sign Expo 2012, it ranges from US$300,000 to US$400,000 depending on configuration.

We tend not to recommend any specific printer, but it is clear to everybody that Durst has earned the reputation of making state-of-the-art printing machines.

However we have to point out that some print samples at ISA Sign Expo felt tacky, (I touched some samples myself) in other words, the ink was not fully cured, so check on that aspect before making a decision.

ISA Sign Expo 2012 was a surprise in the sense that quite a number of companies decided to launch new printer models in this event, in spite of being close in dates to drupa 2012 (the mecca of the sign trade shows). The printers below were launched at ISA Sign Expo 2012.

EFI R3225 roll-to-roll UV-cured printer was launched at ISA 2012 in Orlando. Copyright FLAAR 2012

Dili Neo Titan RtR 3204 D, roll to roll UV printer about to be exhibited at ISA expo. Copyright FLAAR 2012

Grapo, the UV printer manufacturer based in the Czech Republic, also made its debut as SigmaJet at the Orlando event.

First posted May 2012.