Last month during the large Fespa tradeshow (Organiser of the world’s leading screen printing and digital show), the EDP Association celebrated the winners of their 11th EDP Awards. With these awards, EDP honours the best developments in software, print production solutions, finishing systems and consumables. The evaluation of the EDP Awards is based on innovation. The EDP Technical Committee consists of independent consultants, editors, engineers and other related professionals who judge each product based on the value of the technical abilities they offer. Out of more than 150 entries, 31 products were awarded with a “Best of” trophy in their category. Our focus is on the large format printing categories.
CANON
The best roll-to-roll printer up to 170 cm was awarded to the brand new Canon Océ Colorado 1640. Canon Europe has announced the Océ Colorado 1640 as wide format ‘breakthrough’ technology during FESPA 2017. The new Océ Colorado 1640, built on Canon UVgel technology, proved to be one of the star digital innovations of the entire event, pulling in large crowds to hourly demonstrations, and attracting immediate orders from signage and graphics producers across Europe, Africa, North Africa and the Middle East. The Océ Colorado promises to deliver productivity and excellent output quality on a broad range of media and will be a game changer in the 1.6 metre segment, bringing more speed and prints at lower costs with a unique machine concept.
MUTOH
The Best flatbed/hybrid printer up to 20 m2/h was awarded to the Mutoh ValueJet 1638UH. The ValueJet VJ-1638UH is Mutoh’s first-ever dual head 64” LED UV printer delivering increased print-and-cure performance. The printer accommodates 63.97” roll media up to 30 kg as well as rigid boards up to 63.97” x 47.24” up to 15 mm thick and up to 15 kg. Next to CMYK, the VJ-1638UH also can be set up with varnish and white to handle transparent or non-white substrates without losing colour power or to create special print effects and multilayer printing for prints with high added value. The ValueJet VJ-1638UH will produce high quality graphics for short viewing distances such as trade show graphics, POP and retail signage, backlit banners, custom wallpaper and interior decoration, small lot packaging prototypes, banners, posters, etc.
SWISS QPRINT
The Best flatbed/hybrid printer up to 250 m2/h was awarded to the swiss Qprint 4×4 version of Nyala 2. The jury pointed out: “The print samples in big size show a dramatic increase of quality in production mode. Thanks to higher density it also extends the color gamut.”
ROLAND
The Best print and cut solution was awarded to the Roland DG TrueVIS SG-Series. The success of the SG-540 and SG-300 integrated wide format print and cut devices follow that of the TrueVIS VG series, which won in the same category in 2016. Gillian Montanaro (Head of Marketing, Roland DG EMEA) said. “Our new TrueVIS range takes integrated printing and cutting to the next level in terms of innovative features and performance-enhancing functions. The SG series delivers advanced TrueVIS technology at an unbeatable price and is the ideal versatile solution for print service providers who are starting out, or for those looking to boost their production capabilities.”
MIMAKI
The Best object printer was awarded to the Mimaki UJF-3042MkII / UJF-6042MkII and the Best textile printer roll-to-roll up to 100 m2/h was awarded to the Mimaki Tx300P-1800P. The UJF-3042 MkII and UJF-6042 MkII flatbed LED UV printers bring increased productivity and ease-of-use to on-demand, direct to object printing. Available in A3 or A2 format, these new models build on Mimaki’s peerless heritage to offer spectacular creativity and limitless opportunities when printing onto almost any material. The innovative new Tx300P-1800 has capability to print direct onto almost any type of natural or man-made fabric with it’s sublimation, disperse, reactive and acid dye and textile pigment inks technology.
VUTEK
The Best textile printer roll-to-roll over 100 m2/h: was awarded to the EFI VUTEk FabriVU 180/340. The EFI VUTEk FabriVU series of fabric printers are the ideal value if you are looking to aggressively develop and drive more profitability into your soft signage business. Print dazzling displays, high-density backlit signs and more with ultra-high resolution four-colour printing. Print direct to textile or indirect via transfer process, enabling you to offer more materials and save money by using lower cost materials. Produce graphics that can be washed and dried without wrinkling, folded without leaving marks, and reused.
We want to congratulate all winners for product excellence.