Arrow Digital has installed the highly awaited Efi FabriVU 340i+. A revolutionary soft signage and waterless polyester printer built by Efi Reggiani, which has created a buzz due to its Inline Fixation and complete standalone solution.
To reflect on the vision and the upcoming possibilities in the soft signage space, Mr. Sam Patel, MD & CEO said, “Sustainability continues to be a key point of emphasis among most of the brands and corporates. On top of that, soft signage graphics stand out in that context. They are easy to store and reuse, compared to other display graphics that are often displayed once and then discarded. The EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ printers are also notable for their low waste and efficiency.
Defining its productivity and efficiency Mr. Sam Patel adds, “This new 3.4 meter wide ‘plus’ model offers the same direct-to-substrate and sublimation printing options as the previous iteration. This Technology has changed the way the colors are mapped and the way it lays down ink. It gives a better ink density, efficiency, and Productivity. It features 8 Kyocera printheads rather than four, doubling the resolution from 300 to 600dpi and increases POP speeds by 48% when compared to the current VUTEk 340i model. VUTEk FabriVU 340i + offers customers the widest application range, the lowest TCO in the market, the highest income yield, and the lowest acquisition cost.
Again, he added, “Other new features include a redesigned heat plate that regulates temperature uniformity, improved extraction with less outgassing, and a new flag ink removal kit allowing the system to manage high ink volumes without touching loaded materials. This printer is perfect for use with all textile materials including backlit, frontlit, blackback and flag. It can handle both direct transfer and paper sublimation processes, while the presence of an inline fixation unit negates the need for a separate heat press – saving time, money, and space.”
“The VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ printer offers ultra-high resolutions up to 2400 dots per inch (dpi) and three-level grayscale printing with 7, 12, and 18 picolitre drop sizes. It’s printheads optimize ink drops with no overlay for smooth transitions and perfect crispness. The result is a dramatic four-color printing with a wide color gamut, rich blacks, and deep color saturation for exceptionally high quality on backlit fabric displays and other graphics. The FabriVU Plus series has new CMYK x 2 configuration printhead array – along with new electronics, a new vacuum system, and a new heating element which delivers higher quality 600 dpi graphics with better saturation and more density.
Describing its possibilities and opportunities in soft-signage, Sam Patel adds, “The VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ delivers premium results using high-end, water-based dye-sublimation inks. With this revolutionizing technology, you can produce ravishing Exhibition Graphics, Backlit & Frontlits, POS/POPs, flags, banner wraps, teardrops, tents, displays, Wall Graphics, Furnishing, and other high-end display graphics, including one-offs, etc.
The medium viscosity Genuine EFI ink contains a high concentration of dyes, which means less water, reducing the amount of energy needed for drying. Not only does the Efi FabriVU 340i+ use up to 30% less ink than competing dye-sublimation systems, but it also has an ink recovery system that saves more than 95% of the ink that other dye-sub printers lose during purging. The EFI Genuine Inks are Eco-friendly, moreover it has ink recirculation and above all the yield is way ahead than any other Soft Signage Printer in the Market. The inks are completely Eco Friendly and free of heavy metals, no formaldehyde or alkylphenol ethoxylates, and without VOC’s or toxins. These inks are OEKO-TEX certified and hence they are safe for inkjet printing on polyester fabric to create a wide variety of applications.
It’s proven in-line fixation technology eliminates the need for transfer papers and a separate heat press when printing directly to fabric. The four-color printer runs at speeds up to 1791 ft2/hr. in high-quality backlit mode, or up to 5172 ft2/hr. in outdoor print mode.”
With this, he concludes, “Soft Signage is the upcoming sustainable trend which differentiates you from others and you can produce premium quality products with high margins and not to mention get into short to medium runs of home décor, wallpapers, apparel and much more.”
Arrow continues investing in R&D to develop new applications and materials for new segments. We are very excited to develop a range of materials for the FabriVu 340i+, which will open up profitable new segments and applications for our customers.
