Agfa’s Ardeco fabric printing system makes its global debut at booth #2228 at SGIA, an expo that was held at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Florida.
The printer is a precision engineered solution that combines advanced sublimation capabilities with a highly accurate textile transport system. It comes in a choice of print head configurations, and features an inline cold-knife cutting system.
This fully-integrated digital textile solution is designed for volume production of all soft signage output including backlit displays, flags and general displays that benefit from being printed onto polyester based fabrics up to a maximum print width of 3.2m. Ardeco prints rich vibrant solid colours, gradients of impeccable quality and high detail rendered images utilizing high quality disperse inks.
With Ardeco’s calendering capability built in, this results in an end-to-end system that doesn’t require any additional fixation or finishing option. In addition, the machine’s ink through feature means that highly absorbent and open-weave fabrics such as meshes can be printed without any damage that can be caused by ink splash back.
Attendees at the Agfa Pitman booth also toured ‘The House of Asanti’, named after the new automated wide format workflow solution. Asanti Suite, also making a global debut at SGIA 2013. It is designed for wide format production, Asanti’s workflow optimisation enhances all processes which removs the disadvantages caused when having to implement a variety of different tools and options. It offers a complete automated and integrated PDF workflow, drives multiple print devices, and increases productivity for sign and display applications.
‘The House of Asanti’, Agfa Pitman’s new ‘Application Zone’, was built using Asanti workflow. It features two floors and six rooms of practical and creative designs – such as fine art, musical instruments, light fixtures, furniture, doors and more-on the walls, windows and floors, all created by Agfa Graphics printing systems and media. Attendees can interact with the House of Asanti kiosk to learn how the many different applications were created and experience how Agfa Pitman technology can help them in their own business.
Deborah Hutcheson, Director of Marketing, Agfa Graphics, North America said, ‘From top to bottom, we have the most robust portfolio of inkjet engines, media and software available on the market today. Technology should enable creativity not hamper it. Our new software and printing technologies can assist the sign and display market in opening the door to new and unique print applications that were once more difficult and cumbersome to achieve. Thanks to these increased efficiencies, enabled by technology, sign and display makers can instead spend their precious time being creative and, ultimately, gain market share.’
Several printing systems and products from Agfa Pitman made their first North America appearance at SGIA:
• Jeti TitanX FTR – A 122″-wide, high resolution, production-class UV-four- or six-color plus white inkjet printing system with flat-to-roll option.
• Anapurna M3200 RTR – A 126″-wide high quality, roll-to-roll UV six-color inkjet printer offering high quality, flexible signage with a maximum resolution of 1440 dpi.
• Anapurna M2500 – A 98″-wide hybrid, heavy duty UV seven-color (CMYK, light cyan, light magenta and double white) inkjet printer designed for rigid and roll media to increase productivity and broaden applications.
• Asanti Workflow – Automating various tasks into a sophisticated PDF-based workflow, Asanti offers sign-makers and display producers the ability to save time and lower costs by eliminating errors and eradicating the need to rework jobs. Asanti workflow is complemented by Asanti Storefront, allowing large format printers to set up e-stores for both print and non-print products.
Other systems on display at the booth, includied Agfa Graphics’ popular Anapurna M2540 FB and the Jeti 1224 HDC FTR, as well as the Epson Surecolor S50670 and the HP L28500.
Agfa Pitman expanded its wide format media portfolio with introductions of new Duratex polyester-coated Canvas Banner, Duratex Rigid Backlit Film and Duratex PolyFab polyester-coated fabric. The portfolio was also represented at SGIA with media from 3M, Neschen, Aurora, Lintec, Falcon Board, Korographics, Palram, Elmers, and Gilman Brothers.
