InkTec to show first LED UV printer at Fespa

InkTec will publicly unveil its first LED UV Printer at Fespa Digital next month.

The manufacturer said the Jetrix LX5 press builds on the technology, stability, precision and design of existing Jetrix printers but meets market demand for more environmentally friendly and energy efficient printers.

The machine is said to offer 35% lower electricity consumption than a mercury lamp printer, has no warm-up time, creates less heat and has an extended lamp lifetime of up to 20,000 hours.

It is equipped with six picolitre Konica Minolta print heads and can print at up to 39sqm/hr in production mode or 11sqm/hr for precise fine art printing.

The printer is available with a four- (CMYK), six- (CMYK and double hit white), or seven-channel (CMYK, double hit white and one varnish or primer) colour configuration and runs InkTec’s specially formulated UV inks.

InkTec said the device, which also features an optional roll-to-roll system, delivers a wide colour gamut and has fast ink curing abilities. The LED curing system eliminates heat associated risks such as media deformation.

“At InkTec, we have long recognised the need for affordable LED technology within wide-format printing,” said InkTec head of national sales Ben Woodruff.

“The Jetrix LX5’s ability to direct energy more efficiently, and therefore reduce the overall power consumption, means that the total cost of ownership over its lifetime makes it a realistic and affordable option.”

He added: “Having both mercury-based curing and LED machines gives us an option on both sides of the fence. Both technologies have different benefits, so it gives us the chance to pinpoint what’s best for each customer,” said Woodruff.

“Based on what was sold last year, LED makes up around 30% of the flatbed market so that gives us quite a broad scope of new customers to aim at.

“We’ll also happily advise anybody that wants to switch to LED on how it could work for them.”

The Jetrix LX5 can be ordered with immediate effect and shipping is due to start in April. Pricing for the machine has not yet been released but will vary depending on the configuration and whether or not the customer requires the roll-to-roll system.

“Fespa is the ideal platform for a product launch. It’s in a good location which is easy to get to and all of the big vendors are there, which drives international customers to the show,” said Woodruff.

“We will also show the machine at Sign & Digital UK in April, for anybody who can’t make it to Fespa.”

InkTec’s latest solvent and dye sublimation inks portfolio for the Mimaki JV300 will also be demonstrated at Fespa, which will take place in Amsterdam from 8 to 11 March.

The company said the new inks offer superior UV resistance and adhesion and high colour concentration. They are also said to offer equivalent longevity and stability compared to the OEM brand inks.

At last year’s Fespa, in Cologne, InkTec launched the 5m UV roll-to-roll Jetrix RX5000 printer.