EFI expands entry-level printer line-up

EFI has expanded its portfolio with the introduction of a new entry-level LED roll-to-roll printer.

Launched at SGIA Expo in Las Vegas last month and commercially available worldwide with immediate effect, EFI said the Pro 32r joins the existing Pro 24f and Pro 16h in its entry-level wide-format printer range.

Billed as an economical, production-level 3.2m-wide machine, the Pro 32r can also facilitate printing on two 1.6m-wide rolls.

Utilising EFI SuperRange XF LED inks, the machine can print at a resolution of up to 635dpi at a maximum speed of 207sqm/hr and features a built-in EFI Fiery digital front-end (DFE) with Fast RIP acceleration technology.

The machine has eight Ricoh Gen 5 printheads that have a minimum drop size of 7pl and uses four colours plus optional white ink. EFI’s cool-cure LED imaging technology lowers power consumption and extends the range of supported substrates.

Target applications include banners, billboards, building wraps, flags, floor graphics, POP graphics, posters, textiles, signage, wall graphics and wallpaper.

EFI product marketing manager for superwide roll-to-roll inkjet Tomer Ohavi told PrintWeek: “The Pro 32r is an incremental product to fill in a specific market that we hadn’t approached so far.

“We have the existing Vutek 3r and 5r printers, which are intended for high-volume producers of 10,000-15,000 square metres per month, but we have met many print shops that do not have, nor seek to do this large volume production but still want to grow. We wanted to address this need and the Pro 32r is therefore aimed at those mid-range producers.

“While we have built a new platform, it’s based on the knowledge and experience gained from the 3r and 5r.”

Additional options available for the Pro 32r include slitters, automatic blockout printing, manual backlit printing and a software productivity pack that features enhanced tools to reduce media waste.

The Pro 32r is priced in EFI’s ‘under $200,000 [£156,000] category’. The basic platform includes an integrated mesh kit, wrinkle analyser, backlit proofing lights and the built-in RIP.

The machine will be demonstrated at an open house event that will be held at European EFI distributor Talawin’s premises in Madrid, Spain from 9am to 6pm on 27 to 29 November.

Last month EFI reported record Q3 sales in its results for the three months ended 30 September 2018, but said its profits dipped slightly. Bill Muir was appointed as the company's new chief executive earlier in October, following long-serving chief executive Guy Gecht's departure from the role, announced in July.