Roland DG introduces first inkjet printer/cutter with Metallic Silver Ink
Roland DG recently the new SOLJET PRO III XC-540MT 54-inch (1370mm) inkjet printer/cutter featuring Metallic Silver ECO-SOL MAX ink (ESL3-MT). The first inkjet printer/cutter developed exclusively for metallic silver ink, it features six colours, CMYK+Metallic Silver+White (CMYK+MT+W). Compatible with vinyl, PET film, canvas, paper, transparent film and banner, the new metallic silver ink can be printed on demand as a spot colour or combined with the XC-540MT's CMYK + W inks to produce a range of coloured metallic effects including gold, silver and pearlescent colours. The XC-540MT can also be configured to operate in a double white ink model (CMYK+WW) to produce bright white text, graphics and floods. "The new XC-540MT generated lots of interest at the recent Visual Impact Image Expo Show where it was pre-released with several orders being taken during the show. The first being ten minutes into the show's first day" explains Roland DG's Sales & Marketing Manager, John Wall.
"In the past, gold and silver effects could only be produced using more complex printing systems such offset and flexo presses, screen printing equipment or by foil stamping. Digital LFP was catered for using what is now old thermal ribbon technology," adds Conrad Birkett, Roland DG Business Development Manager.
"Each of these technologies requires plate processing, making it difficult and costly to produce metallic graphics in small quantities or the customer using expensive thermal ribbon cartridges. The new XC-540MT has transformed this process. For the first time, professionals can take full advantage of Roland's advanced inkjet technology to produce brilliant metallic graphics on demand - easily, profitably, and in any quantity."
The XC-540MT is engineered for a wide range of applications including vehicle wraps, T-shirt heat transfers, labels, decals, POP displays, banners and signs. It achieves a maximum print speed of 41 m2/hr. and image quality up to 1440x1440 dpi resolution in CMYK mode. As an integrated printer/cutter, the XC-540MT prints and then automatically contour and perforate cuts images without any steps in between. As a result, the XC-540MT can be operated unattended and achieves lower operating costs and faster production times than competing inkjets. It is ideally suited for producing high value, specialist signage and short-run labels with spot colours.
To meet the demands of production shops, the XC-540MT features a heavy-duty media handling system, automated maintenance, the DU-540 dryer/blower unit and Roland's most advanced inkjet technology, Roland Intelligent Pass Control. ECO-SOL MAX inks offer dense, rich colours, superior scratch resistance, fast drying time, wide gamut, uncoated media support and outdoor durability of up to three years for CMYK, one year for White, and one to three years for the new Metallic Silver ink. DPI award-winning Metallic Silver ECO-SOL MAX ink produces thousands of metallic colours for premium quality graphics.
With an eye on keeping the total cost of operation (TCO) down, Roland DG has implemented the automated Advanced Ink Circulation System for the XC-540MT. The AICS recirculates ink recirculation system to keep maintenance costs on specialist inks such as Metallic and White to an absolute minimum. AICS is a unique solution for large format printers from Roland and the XC-540MT and new LEC-330 printers are the only products on the market to feature this kind of technology.
Roland DG