Vutek is now exhibiting their PressVU UV 200/600 flatbed UV printers 

We wholeheartedly endorse UV-curable inkjet technology. A sign shop near our university made enough profit with their Durst Rho 160 that they bought a second UV printer, the ColorSpan 72 UVX flatbed in December 2005 (this is certainly a compliment to the ColorSpan). 

But we aware of the notable differences between different brands and models. All UV-curable ink flatbed printers face the same hurdles: banding due to bi-directional lay down of the UV ink; banding due to the inherent nature of piezo printheads, and limited color gamut (red being a major challenge). 

Yellow and green color have other issues with UV inks: some UV inks can’t do yellows, greens or reds well. So the FLAAR staff dedicate their time to inspecting output of all the different UV printers at all major trade shows in the US, Germany and Italy. We attend technical seminars on UV-curing inkjet chemistry (recently for five days in Lisbon,  Portugal). We saw the Vutek PressVu UV 200/600 at several trade shows, and noted its good features as well as those aspects that you need to learn about up front (before you decide which brand or model to buy): such as color gamut compared with other models, lack of white ink and spot varnish, and other aspects we discuss in the FLAAR Reviews. 

Some printers can’t print well on Lexan. 

Other brands of UV printers can’t print well on Coroplast. 

So what about the brand of printer that you are thinking about buying? Actually the printers print fabulously on Lexan, and Coroplast. But how long does the ink stay on the surface? Hmmm. 

At ISA, SGIA, PMA 2004, and DRUPA 2004, Vutek has exhibited their PressVu UV 180/600EC and 180/360 EC flatbed printers for UV curable inks. But gradually during 2005 and into 2006 Vutek tends to exhibit their PressVu UV 200/600 or UV 320/400 

But Sericol now offers four models of Inca UV-curable flatbed printers. The NUR Tempo is an impressive looking machine. The output we saw from the Scitex Vision VeeJet+ looks outstanding (but why is it not selling? These are the kind of information that are in FLAAR Reports). Durst Rho now has a new model, the 350R. Thus it is a challenge to for a screen printing company to decide which new UV-flatbed to order. 

At a recent conference a lecturer indicated that 20 more UV curable inkjet printers are under development? Yikes, how can a screen shop, sign shop, or photo lab figure out which printer is good and which is a dud? FLAAR covers developing market potential for screenprinters, photography labs, and all print facilities that can profit by having a UV-curable inkjet printer in-house.  

FLAAR is the only independent research institute that has dedicated the time and energy to compiling a factual resume of every UV-curable ink flatbed in the world: from Korea, mainland China, Japan , Europe , and US. 

Our university makes these reports available at reasonable price.  Order the UV-curable ink flatbed Series from FLAAR  

You can also hire Dr Hellmuth as a consultant, but it is quicker and easier to buy his FLAAR Reports via convenient download. 

Large-Format-Printers.org > Wide Format Printers >

Most recently updated January 5, 2006.

First posted March 12, 2004. Updated June 25, 2004 ’ updated Oct. 21, 2004.