Fujifilm to launch new inkjet web press at Drupa

Fujifilm has announced the surprise launch of an inkjet web press, which it will show as a technology demo at next month's Drupa 2012 exhibition (Hall 08b, A25).

The press will offer duplex printing within a single tower design, resulting in "an extremely compact footprint", while retaining a maximum print speed of 127m/min.

Fujifilm has yet to release any further details of the press and nobody from the manufacturer was available to answer PrintWeek's questions at the time of writing.

However, a closer examination of the photo of the new device appears to show four ink channels, CMYK, in use with what could be another two channels available, perhaps for additional colours or for a sealer or coating.

Control panel on Fuji's inkjet web press - six channels per print unit?

The device uses Fujifilm’s new Vividia ink, which is aimed at commercial and packaging printing and which the manufacturer claims can print high density images at high speed, and with less ink transfer from sheet to sheet.

A variety of both pigment and dye-based inks have been developed for use with the press.

The new press will be running live at Drupa 2012, and will be commercially available toward the end of the year.