Konica Minolta unveils new bizhub Press C71cf label printer

Konica Minolta Business Solutions’ bizhub Press C71cf is a high-end digital label printer that leverages Konica Minolta’s proven expertise in digital printing and its high-resolution dry-toner technology. “The press provides a path for label providers who desire a more comfortable adoption of digital print technology, and represents the latest string of disruptive print technologies from Konica Minolta,” said the OEM. By applying digital print technology to narrow-web label applications, the C71cf supports shorter run lengths and shorter lead times at a lower cost. “These factors make it possible for printers to prosper with new, high-profit applications not previously possible when using only conservative analogue printing technology.”
Workflow is improved by operating with both digital and analogue equipment. The analogue presses print the long runs, and the digital presses print the short runs with variable data and personalization. This analogue/digital combination “provides a printer the best of both worlds in fully supporting customer requirements at a maximum profit.” Also, substrate flexibility allows use of the same off-the-shelf flexo press substrates that a shop currently uses with their analogue presses. Pressure-sensitive and non-pressure-sensitive materials in matte, gloss, synthetic, polypropylene, polyester and BOPP are all supported.
The bizhub PRESS C71cf also supports critical elements of high-end printing such as calibration, quality control, static elimination and colour management. Supporting full CMYK colour at 1200 dpi (3600-dpi equivalent) x 1200 dpi/8 bit gradation and a maximum printing size of 47” x 12.5”, the press fills the gap between entry-level and high-end digital label presses. Production efficiency is maximized through the elimination of plates and the integrated support of splicing for fast substrate changeovers. The press also has small footprint of only 11.5 ft. x 3.5 ft.
“Its capability to provide personalization meets the growing demand for mass customization of labels and packaging,” said Konica Minolta. “Brand owners are focused on increasing 1:1 interaction to support specialized groups and geographies. In this new world of brand differentiation, the C71cf’s variable-data printing capabilities become a key differentiator when a printer bids on new projects.”