Ypsilanti, MI -- EFI today announced that it has entered into a partnership with Masterpiece Graphix, Inc. (MGX), MGX the largest provider of customized pre coated, print enhanced substrates for digital printing. Under the terms of the agreement, MGX will coat certain substrates for use with the Jetrion 4000 Series industrial inkjet system and UV inkjet inks, eliminating the need for Jetrion users to perform this step themselves. As a result, Jetrion users will now have the option to order an even larger array of standard substrates they are already using on their flexo presses with an MGX coating that ensures that these substrates are print-receptive for UV inkjet inks.

"The Jetrion 4000 is revolutionizing digital label printing by allowing converters to print directly onto the majority of their favorite substrates without a costly primer or topcoat. This results in lower running costs and faster cycle times, a major advantage of Jetrion's proprietary UV inkjet inks versus liquid or dry toner-based systems," said Dr. Kenneth Stack, general manager of EFI Jetrion. "While many customers use flexo substrates that work well without priming or top coating, some have asked us for a third-party solution for the substrates that are more difficult to print on. We do offer a flexo-based coating that guarantees compatibility with any substrate, but our relationship with MGX gives our customers the added convenience of ordering print –ready rolls from a third party." MGX treats materials with a proprietary pre-coating process assures excellent printing and ink adhesion. Not only does this guarantee the best possible on-press quality, but it also eliminates the extra coating step in the converter's manufacturing process, thus reducing the production cycle time.

"We are excited about this partnership with EFI," said Doug Watson, CEO and President of MGX. "MGX has extensive experience with coatings, having coated over 800 different types of materials from common paper to exotic substrates, enabling a broad selection of materials for unlimited applications. We are pleased to be bringing this expertise to bear for the benefit of EFI Jetrion 4000 users."

As part of the new partnership, every new Jetrion 4000 printer will be shipped with a free roll of MGX-coated material so that Jetrion customers can try out new substrate options. Many other specialty digital substrates are available from MGX including tag and label specialty materials.

By obtaining materials from MGX, EFI customers also enjoy the added advantage of working with an environmentally proactive partner. MGX manufacturing operations are 100% wind-powered and the company is currently developing a line of recyclable digital materials, papers and plastics.