The first in a string of enhancements for the Versafire presses is the release of a new neon pink spot colour that will be available for specification on new Versafire CV five-colour devices. It is also possible to retrofit existing machines.

The new toner adds to the neon yellow that was released last year and is also available for Ricoh’s Pro C7100X cut sheet devices, which the CV is based on. It glows under UV light, making it suitable for a range of promotional work such as nightclub posters, brochures and event tickets. The neon pink toner will be available from around November this year.

Also scheduled for release towards the back end of the year is the new Media Management Tool for the Prinect Digital Front End (DFE). The feature will allow users to set up, save and recall all media settings for complex substrates and is able to store settings for more than 100 types of media.

Heidelberg UK digital product manager Chris Matthews said: “It’s great for customers who use a really wide range of stock, and also those with multiple Versafire machines, because the settings can be shared between devices."

Versafire customers contracted for version upgrades will also benefit from Prinect 2018, which Matthews said would begin roll-out towards the end of 2017, and whose enhanced features include improved interface design, a new montage editor and faster preview function 

“Montage editing, where numerous elements are combined to create a finished job, will be far easier with this update and the preview function is vastly improved,” said Matthews. “ At the moment if you want to see a job preview and see it exactly how it will print, it can take a while to see on screen but this will be almost instant so you can get a good idea of how it will render and look on page.”

In addition, another new feature for Versafire users is the extension of Heidelberg’s Production Manager business analysis tool, to the Versafire family. The system, already available for offset users, incorporates the business analysis and reporting software Analyze Point and will provide business owners with data across all of its machines.

“With Analyze Point you know exactly when the job started, when it finished, how long it took and how many sheets were printed for example,” said Matthews. “It’s already common in press terms, so customers with Speedmasters for example, but this can now be used to give a 360-degree view. It’ll just give a lot more visibility and control over their business and therefore enhances business intelligence.” 

The new updates are expected to be rolled out towards the end of the year.