Technical Report and Résumé Based on the submissions for the EDP Awards 2014/2015 May 2015
Introduction A bumpy ride to the finish Some words on this year s EDP Award submissions Every year the technical committee of the EDP Awards facesatoughchallenge,andthistimewasnoexception. An EDP award is recognition of the most innovative product that came out during the last 12 months. Launching andsubmittingaproductisnotenoughtowin.theinnovation needs to outshine other developments in the same category. Determining what counts as meaningful innovation is often hard. Now the market for digital print equipment is more mature it means that in some categories new products, although good products, are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. What deserves to get an EDP Award for innovation? Often it depends on the competitorsin a particular year. In some years there will be significant developments in features, function and performance. If one firm has made great strides then in the following years, as competitors catch up, what is a undeniably significant development for those competitors, is not so significant for the market as a whole. Sometimes there may be no dramatic developments that make for great stories and headlines but do, nonetheless, mean a better business for the users. Ultimately, thejudgesneedtostepintotheshoesofourreaders the user to consider the products from their perspective. Howdoesaninnovationhelpthemtodotheirjob?How can it improve the quality, throughput or economics of their operation? Does it go beyond those and enable them to offer new applications and services to their customers? Comparing the products entered in a fair way is hard but is a task we take very seriously. Despite the expertise of the jury it i can be difficult if we haven t had the opportunity to see a product to fully understand all its features and benefits. Even if we have seen a product be it at a trade show, launch event or showroom it is often still difficulttomakeaninformeddecisionifwearenotprovided with all the salient technical information. It is good for all of us as the market has evolved that there is more focus on applications rather than on technology for it s own sake. However, when it comes to establishing whether a product deserves an EDP Award we really need to understand the fundamentals of how the technology delivers and not just why. Herman Hartman ChairmanoftheEDPTechnicalCommittee The EDP Technical Committee 2014/2015 Chairman: Herman Hartman (Editor in Chief, signpro Benelux) Members: Barney Cox (Writer and Consultant) Rob Haak (Consultant, president SPIKIX) Romeo Hutter (Editor in Chief, Publisher, Switzerland) The judging process: As soon as a product is submitted the evaluation process starts and the members of the Technical Committee investigate the products features and qualities by consultingotherexpertsaswell. Attheendofthesubmissionperiod the Technical Committee nominates the best ones in a category for the final judging round. In a special EDP GeneralAssembly(thisyearinBrixeninItaly) representatives of all the member magazines discuss the quality again also under aspects such as value to the user, supportandserviceandotherarguments. Theyfinallydecide whichproductisworthofbeingawardedanedptrophy. 2
s and Winners 2014/2015 European Digital Press Awards 2014/2015 The s and Winners Software Best special application solution Trotec Job Control Vision Trotec s JobControl software package provides full control of all laser functions to improve productivity. The Vision module uses a camera on the cutter to read registration marks on the printedgraphicstorecogniseandautomaticallycorrectforany distortions in the image. This ensures that the laser s path is always in register with the graphics, even if the image or the substrate have become twisted during printing or subsequent processing, thus preventing miscuts. The winner: Trotec Job Control Vision GEW LW1 GEW sdevelopmentofleduvcuringtechnologyhasenabled printer manufacturers to deliver products whose curing systems have a longer life, lower power consumption and generate less heat, helping printers to save time and money while expanding the range of materials that can be handled by their equipment. The winner: GEW LW1 Best colour management solution Agfa Asanti Color Management Quick, easy and accurate are the key words here. Asanti color managementmakesitpossibletoquicklycalibrateanewmaterial and start printing. Selecting and changing colour profiles has been made so simple by using the Calibrated Print Modes that anyone in the factory, rather than a colour specialist, can deliver accurate colour. The winner: Agfa Asanti Color Management Printing systems Best wide format roll to roll up to 1,7 meter (all in alphabetical order) Hewlett Packard HP Latex 360 Powered by third-generation, water-based HP Latex ink technology,thehplatex360isastepforwardintechnology,quality and speed showing latex is a mature technology. Mimaki JV300 Series solvent Brighter inks and higher image quality produced at higher speed are the benefits of Mimaki s latest generation of solvent printers. These are delivered by vibrant new inks including Silver, Orange and Light Black and improved printing and drying technology. The winner: Hewlett Packard HP Latex 360 Technology Best print support tool Best wide format roll to roll printer up to 3.3 meter Anapurna M3200i RTR The Agfa Anapurna M3200i RTR brings roll-to-roll production printing to a new level of price/performance producing indoor > 3
s and Winners 2014/2015 > and outdoor applications at up to 123 m² per hour. It is a dedicated 3.2 m wide roll-to-roll printer with high-quality UV printing technology. The winner: Anapurna M3200i RTR The winner: Durst Rhotex HS Best wide format textile printer light production Mimaki JV300 Series The sublimation version of the JV300 boasts high speeds up to 112.5sqm/handdeliversphoto-qualityprintsforawiderangeof applications, such as sportswear and fashion apparel. Roland DG Texart RT-640 The Roland Texart RT-640 sublimation printer produces beautiful print quality, speciality to name here is the eight-color version that delivers stunning colors that can be used for various applicationsinpromotionaltextiledecorationandfashiontextiles. Itsheavy weight roll handling system makes it possible to make long runs without any operator handling, lowering operating costs. It is a step forwards in quality and price performance ratio. The winner: Roland DG Texart RT-640 Best wide-format hybrid/flatbed UV printer Canon Oce Arizona 6100 series Easy-to-use high-volume flatbed, the Océ Arizona 6100-Series delivershighlyproductiverigidmediaprintingandsetsnewstandards for print quality, application versatility and reliability. The winner: Canon Océ Arizona 6100 series Best wide format textile printer high production d.gen Teleios Grande G5 d.gen Teleios Grande is available in 260cm and 330cm widths offeringamaximumresolutionof1,200dpiandthroughputupto 300sqm/hr. It is a flexible solution bringing direct-to-fabric printing with pigment and disperse dye inks to a higher level. Durst Rhotex HS The Rhotex HS is a high-end digital textile printer and brings speed and cost performance on a new level. Its print width of 330cm and the use of eco-friendly water-based dispersion inks make the Rhotex HS a good solution for the whole range of inand outdoor soft-signage applications. Best production cut-sheet printer light production Ricoh Pro C7100X Prior to Ricoh s introduction of the C7100X series an additional colour unit was unavailable in the light production sector of the market. The fifth colour station provides users twith the option of adding gloss or white to CMYK providing print service providers with the ability to address new applications with additional revenue opportunities. Xerox Colour C60/C70 The Xerox Colour C60/C70 printer offers turnkey features and media-weight versatility. Users can expand their applications to includepolyesterlabels,menus,signsandvinylwindowstickers. The winner: Ricoh Pro C7100X 4
s and Winners 2014/2015 Best production cut-sheet printer high production Canon Océ VarioPrint i300 With the Océ VarioPrint i300 Canon is moving inkjet beyond its coreroll-fedandnicheb2sheetfedpressmarketsintomainstream SRA3 cutsheet digital production. As such it is the most significant technology development in cut-sheet printing for several years. HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press The HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press builds on the Indigo 7xxx series with simplified colour management, improved productivity and an expanded application range. While there is no mechanical increase in speed HP Indigo has done much to improve the colour stability and uptime of the machine. Ricoh Pro C9100 With the Pro C9100 Ricoh has opened markets including light packaging,directmail,books,promotionalmaterials,brochuresand businesscardsthankstoarangeofnewfeatures.theseincludeduplexing on uncoated, textured and coated media from 52gsm to 400gsmatfullratedspeed. Duplexprintingofsheetsupto700mm long, a feature previously only supported on more expensive machines, and support for speciality media such as super-gloss, magnetic, metallic, transparent and synthetic. The winner: Canon Océ VarioPrint i300 achieved while printing at 50 linear meters per minute it produces high quality using its full 1,200x1,200 dpi resolution to deliver smooth halftone reproduction. The winner: Ricoh Pro VC6000 Best special solutions printer Leonhard Kurz DM-Liner The DM-Liner combines Kurz s expertise in foiling and added value finishing with digital print s low set up costs for short runs and potential for personalization. The winner: Leonhard Kurz DM-Liner Best production printer web-fed Canon Océ ImageStream 3500 Canon s Océ lmagestream 3500 is designed to print onto standard offset stock and with the image quality required for high-end applications such as books, brochures, direct mail, magazines and catalogues. The firm claims this enables users to pick the best production technology for the job based on run length and turnaround time needed rather than the paper. Ricoh Pro VC6000 The Ricoh Pro VC6000 is one of the new generation colour inkjet presses whose higher print quality open up new applications in commercial print, direct mail and colour book printing. It uses a newdigitalfrontendthatprovidesnativesupportforpdfandafp together with advanced colour management needed for these higher quality applications. Screen Truepress Jet 520 HD The Truepress Jet520HD is Screen s new high-speed inkjet offering. Three speed settings to allow users to balance their needs for print quality with throughput. At its top speed of 120 linear meters per minute a high throughput of over 1600 A4 pages per minute is Best label printer Xeikon Cheetah The next-generation of Xeikon s dry toner press is 50% faster than its previous products, making it more competitive with faster inkjet offerings, while retaining all the proven functions and the accreditations offered by the Xeikon technology. The winner: Xeikon Cheetah Best packaging solution HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press > 5
s and Winners 2014/2015 > This web-fed version of HP Indigo s wider press platform, first seen in the sheetfed 10000 enables a wide range of new applications for the digital printing of packaging on flexible substrates beyondthelabelmarketswhereithasbeenpredominanttodate. HP Indigo 30000 Digital Press Based on the same core platform as the 10000 and 20000, the 30000 is aimed squarely at the carton board market. While the 20000islargelyinaclassofitsown,the30000facescompetition from inkjet-based digital machines and for short runs highly efficient offset presses. The winner: HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press Best multi purpose object printer Mutoh Valuejet 426UF The ValueJet VJ-426UF is a compact A3+ flatbed 6-colour LED UV printer with integrated vacuum table. The differentiator is Mutoh s printer driver software that allows the user to adjust white,varnishandcolourseparation.itmakesiteasytostartwithobject printing without knowledge of colour management and separations and without the added expense and complexity of a standalone RIP. The winner: Mutoh Valuejet 426UF Finishing Best sheetfed finishing system Highcon Euclid II+ A new version of Highcon s digital interpretation of the die-cutter, which eliminates the cost and time required to make the die and uses lasers to cut feature that would be too fine for a conventional cutter. This new version moves the already innovative technology on by increasing the speed, widening the substrate rangeandaddsnewfeatures,includingpreciseetchingofthesurface layer of print to enable a range of new effects. The winner: Highcon Euclid II+ Best print and cut solution Mimaki CJV150 / CJV300 Series The CJV150/300 Series is Mimaki s latest integrated printer/cutter series. Both use new inks and drying systems, with the difference between the two models being the number of print heads (one in the 150 and two in the 300). Like the sister JV series, new silver, orange and light black inks offer higher quality at faster speeds. The winner: Mimaki CJV150 / CJV300 Series Substrates Best environmental substrate 3A Composites SMART-X natura SMART-X natura is a bio-based display board derived from 100% renewable resources that is compostable as well as recyclable. Made of polylactic acid (PLA) a thermoplastic and a biodegradablepolymer,itcancontributetoalowercarbonfootprint and a reduction in non-renewable energy used. The winner: 3A Composites SMART-X natura 6
s and Winners 2014/2015 Best textile substrate DHJ Decoprint Acqualight Gives good print quality for critical applications like lightboxes and because of the non-stick coating it can be used in the calander without protective paper. Heytex Digitex decoflex opaque (H7380-0975) Digitex decoflex opaque (H7380) is a100% PVC-free kitted polyester construction for dye sublimation, latex and UV curable printing. It is suitable for a wide range of applications in interior decor and advertising including suspension ceilings, wall coverings and banners. The winner: DHJ Decoprint Acqualight Best special application substrate Khora by James Cropper From camera to wall in 10 minutes is the claim for Khora, a self-assembly box frame print system. Developed by British boutique paper mill James Cropper. It uses the firm s high-quality archival paper to ensure long-lasting high quality results that meet the most demanding artist and gallery requirements, while being simple to assemble needing to glue, tape or staples. The winner: Khora by James Cropper The members of the EDP Association, Europe s 20 leading trade magazines on digital production, congratulate all EDP Award winners and nominees and thank all participants and submitters for their contribution. EDP Award winners 2013/2014 Best design, layout and editing solution: Appsoft Technologies Xeditor Best special application solution: Ricoh Clickable Paper Best RIP solution: ColorGATE Productionserver 8 Best workflow management solution: Agfa Asanti Best web to print solution: EFI Digital StoreFront 7.0 Best print support tool: LacunaSolutions Smart Lightning System Best wide format roll to roll printer up to 1,6 meter: Xerox Wide Format IJP 2000 Best super wide format roll to roll printer 3 meter +: Durst Rho 512R Best flatbed/hybrid printer up to 200 K Euro: Mimaki JFX200-2513 Best flatbed/hybrid printer above 200 K Euro: Agfa Jeti Titan HS Best high volume production class flatbed/hybrid printer: HP Scitex FB10000 Best textile roll to roll printer: Hollanders ColorBooster DS Best direct garment textile printer: Epson SureColor SC-F2000 DTG Best cut sheet colour printer light production: Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C1070 Best cut sheet colour printer high production: Xerox igen 150 Press Best label printing solution: Screen TruePress Jet L350UV digital label press Best industrial printing solution: EFI Cretaprint C3 Best multi purpose object printer: Mimaki Kebab Option Best commercial printing finishing system: themediahouse motioncutter Best large format finishing system: Esko Kongsberg C Best new ink technology: HP 881 Latex Best environmental ink technology: Agfa ALTAMIRA Pack LM Best self adhesive substrate for print: Hexis HX190WG2 (digital printing vinyl) Best non adhesive roll media: Epson Japanese Kozo Paper Thin Best self adhesive substrate non print: Hexis HFLEX100P Best rigid substrate: 3A Composites KAPAtech Best textile substrate: DHJ International DecoprintPearl Best digital special effect: swissqprint 3D Moiré Effect 7
Submissions Chart 2014/2015 Entries to the EDP Awards 2014/2015 Category Manufacturer and product name Final vote by EDP members SOFTWARE Best RIP solution for all applications ColorGATE Productionserver 9 No Award in this category Best RIP solution for wide format Onyx 11.1 RIP software No Award in this category Mimaki RasterLink 6 Best color management solution Agfa Asanti Color Management / Winner Konica Minolta Color Care 2.3 Best wide format software solution Onyx 11.1 RIP software No Award in this category Best production printing color management solution Konica Minolta Color Care 2.3 No Award in this category Best web to print solution Agfa Asanti StoreFront No Award in this category Best B2B web to print solution Agfa Asanti StoreFront No Award in this category Best variable data solution Objectif Lune PlanetPress Connect No Award in this category Best user interface Esko i-cut Production Console No Award in this category Best special application solution Trotec JobControl Vision / Winner Objectif Lune PlanetPress Connect Esko i-cut Production Console TECHNOLOGY Most energy-efficient UV power supply GEW Rhino No Award in this category Most powerful LED UV lamphead GEW LW1 No Award in this category Most energy-efficient arc UV lamphead GEW NUVA 2 No Award in this category Best print support tool GEW LW1 / Winner Kern 135 DataTracker GEW NUVA 2 GEW Rhino PRINTING SYSTEMS Best wide format printer up to 1.6 m Mimaki JV300 Series solvent No Award in this category Best wide format printer 1.6 m plus HP Latex 360 No Award in this category HP Scitex 15000 Corrugated Press Screen Truepress Jet W3200UV HS flatbed swissqprint Nyala 2 8
Submissions Chart 2014/2015 Best wide format roll to roll printer Mimaki JV150 Series No Award in this category Best wide format roll to roll up to 1.7 meter HP Latex 360 / Winner Mimaki JV300 Series solvent Mimaki JV150 Series HP Designjet Z6800 Photo Production Mutoh ValueJet 628 Roland DG VersaEXPRESS RF-640 Best wide format roll to roll printer 1.7 m plus Anapurna M3200i RTR No Award in this category HP Latex 360 Roland VersaExpress RF-640* Best wide format roll to roll up to 3,3 meter Agfa Anapurna M3200i RTR / Winner Best professional small format outdoor printer Mutoh ValueJet 628 No Award in this category Best low end multifunctional printer Mutoh ValueJet 426UF No Award in this category Best high end multifunctional printer Mimaki CJV300 Series No Award in this category Best wide format hybrid/flatbed UV printer Canon Océ Arizona 6100-Series / Winner Fujifilm Acuity F Screen Truepress Jet W3200UVHS flatbed swissqprint Nyala 2 Best wide format textile printer light production Roland DG Texart RT-640 / Winner Mimaki JV300DS Series Best wide format textile printer high production Durst Rhotex HS / Winner d.gen Teleios Grande G5 Best production cut-sheet printer light production Ricoh Pro C7100X / Winner Xerox Colour C60/C70 HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press Konica Minolta bizhub PRO C1060L Best production cut-sheet printer high production Canon Océ VarioPrint i300 / Winner HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press Ricoh Pro C9100 Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS 2250P Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C1100 MGI Meteor DP8700 XL+ Xerox Versant 2100 Press Best production printer web-fed Ricoh Pro VC6000 / Winner Canon Océ ImageStream 3500 Screen Truepress Jet 520 HD Xerox Rialto 900 Inkjet Press Best production highspeed inkjet System Screen Truepress Jet 520 HD No Award in this category 9
Submissions Chart 2014/2015 Best high production inkjet printer for commercial print Canon Océ ImageStream 3500 No Award in this category Best speciality printing solution IIJ XYPrint 300 No Award in this category Mutoh Valuejet 426UF Best special solutions printer Leonhard Kurz DM-Liner / Winner IIJ ColourPrint is Scodix UltraPro Best labeling solution Xeikon Cheetah / Winner SPG DSI UV label printer HP Indigo WS6800 Best industrial printing system HP Indigo 7800 Digital Press No Award in this category HP Scitex 15000 Corrugated Press IIJ DecorPrint 250 Mutoh ValueJet 426UF Ricoh Pro VC6000 SPG DSI UV label printer Best packaging solution HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press / Winner HP Indigo 30000 Digital Press HP Scitex 15000 Corrugated Press Best photo printer HP Designjet Z6800 Photo Production No Award in this category Best multi purpose object printer Mutoh Valuejet 426UF / Winner Best print and cut solution Mimaki CJV150 / 300 Series / Winner FINISHING Best digital finishing solution Highcon Euclid II+ No Award in this category Best digital cutting & creasing device Highcon Euclid II+ No Award in this category Best wide format finishing device Neolt Shield E-LAM No Award in this category Best wide format laminator Neolt Shield E-LAM No Award in this category Best inline finishing system Kern 135 DataTracker No Award in this category Best sheet fed inline finishing system Konica Minolta GP-502 Ring binder No Award in this category Best sheetfed offline finishing system Highcon Euclid II+ / Winner Duplo DocuCutter DC-646 Pro Vivid Matrix MX-530DP Duplex Laminating MATERIALS & SUBSTRATES Best toner technology Xeikon Superblack Toner No Award in this category 10
Submissions Chart 2014/2015 Best UV ink HP Scitex 15000 Corrugated Press No Award in this category Best self adhesive substrate DHJ Decoprint Silver Adhesive No Award in this category Best textile substrate DHJ Decoprint Acqualight / Winner Heytex Digitex decoflex opaque DHJ Decoprint Theater Black Back Best environmental substrate 3A Composites SMART-Xnatura / Winner DHJ Decoprint Green Drop Best special application substrate Khora by James Cropper / Winner Heytex Digitex decoflex opaque Are you ready for the next round? With the end of this years EDP Award Ceremony the next EDP Award contest 2015/2016, meanwhile the 10th edition, is open for participation. Since 2007 the leading trade magazines on digital print production in Europe have evaluated and honoured the best new developments in print production tools, software developments, substrates, inks, materials and finishings systems. Over the years more than 180 trophies were awarded to the best technologies and developments. To readmoreonallthewinnersandtheirselectedproductspleasevisit our homepage www.edp-awards.org. As last years companies are invited to submit their products on own initiative. All new products and developments (hardware, software, materials) which are announced and presented (and available for testing by jury members) from April 1st, 2015, till March 2016, and widely available in member countries of EDP, are entitled to participate. That means many of the last minute FE- SPA2015innovations, not includedinthisyear sawards, maybe competing now. After submission each entry will immediately be validated by the technical committee and it will be listed at the EDP Awards webpage with a link to the product s URL as soon as the submission is approved by the Technical Committee. Furthermore all submittedproductswillbespecifiedindetailinaedptechnicalreport. OutofalltheentriestheTechnicalJurynominatesuptothreeproducts in a category. Nevertheless, the Technical Committee reservestherighttoadd, change, cancelorcombine categories. Ina specific General Assembly of all EDP members these nominated productswillbejudgedbyrepresentativesofthemembermagazines according to additional criteria such as quality of support, price ratio and so on. At the official EDP Award Ceremony, the winning products in eachcategorywillbehonouredwithanedpawardtrophy, additional accolades will be presented for each nominated product. Furthermore a Technical Report will be compiled containing all submissions. Every entry in every category will be listed. Organising the EDP Awards involves much effort and a great deal ofadministrativework.thereforeedphastochargeanentryfeeof 250,- Euro for each entry in each category to cover the basic expenses. In compensation all submitting companies are invited to use the EDP Award logotype for marketing purposes free of charge. All winners receive a personalized logo. ParticipatingintheEDPAwardsissimple:Foreachproductjustfill inaentryformdownloadableatwww.edp-awardsandfaxormail ittous(orsubmititonlineatwww.edp-awards.org). Alsoaninformal submission containing technical data and a contact person is possible. If we need some more information, members of our Technical Committee will contact the submitter directly. Finally, as all the years, representatives of all the winners and nomineeswillbeinvitedtotheedpawardceremonywhichisplanned to take place next year along Drupa in Düsseldorf. The exact date and the location of the EDP Award Ceremony 2016 will be announced in due time. 11
EDP member magazines 2015 FormoreinformationontheEDPAssociationandEurope sleadingtrademagazinespleasevisitourwebpagewww.edpassociation.com Austria, Liechtenstein BeNeLux Czech Republic, Slovakia Denmark Finland France Germany Germany Greece Hungary, Romania Italy Norway Poland Russia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey UK, Ireland Ukraine EDP (European Digital Press) Association A-4893 Zell am Moos (Austria), Oberschwand 15 Tel.: 0043/6234/7161, 0043/699/11655760, Fax: 0043/6234/7162 Mail: office@edp-net.org, office@x-media.at Members of the Board: Chairman/President: Rudolf Messer, Tel.: 0043/699/11655760 Mail: rudolf.messer@edp-net.org, messer@x-media.at Vice Chairman/Vice President: Michael Seidl, Tel.: 0043/1/9830640 michael.seidl@edp-net.org, michael.seidl@printernet.at ChairmanTechnicalCommittee:HermanHartman,Tel.:0031/70/3455301 Mail: herman.hartman@edp-net.org, hhartman@xs4all.nl, hermanhartmanga@gmail.com Secretary General, Treasurer: Gerhard Bartsch, Tel.: 0043/676/3514188 Mail: gerhard.bartsch@edp-net.org, g.bartsch@x-media.at 12