(May 31, 2008)  At Drupa 2008, Domino Printing Sciences plc, a world-leader in total coding, marking, traceability and variable printing solutions, is demonstrating the capabilities of its new L400 printer, featuring the very latest in patented thermal ink jet (TIJ) technology and offering a competitive price to performance ratio for the mailing market.

The L400, the first product in Domino's recently launched L-Series range, is set to open up the market for addressing onto direct mail, catalogues and magazines. Easily integrated into mail bases, the L400 is equally compatible with envelope inserters, folders, and narrow print webs, delivering high print quality across every personalisation application in the mailing and bindery sectors. In addition, its powerful variable data capabilities facilitate addressing with the latest postal industry barcodes including linear and 2D codes, postage paid indicia, graphics and messaging.

The L-Series technology has been benchmarked against established market- leading systems and has been shown to deliver speed increases of 30% at the same print resolution, as well as sharper and consistently more reliable print quality. In addition, the increased throw distance compared to other systems makes for easier and more flexible operations.

The L400 system produces high resolution print - up to 600 x 600dpi - and in print mode operates at 115 metres per minute. The refined sharpness of the printed image is achieved through generating small 24pl. size droplets that result in less obvious ink bleed, and typically, with 20% smaller ink drops also reduces overall consumables spend. In addition, the Duojet (twin print nozzle concept) ensures that should a print nozzle become blocked, the printed image is maintained.

The L400 benefits from a range of water-based inks with no special handling requirements, and can be operated with either simple disposable ink cartridges or a 400 ml bulk ink system capable of delivering 100 uninterrupted hours of print. The disposable ink cartridges are easily inserted and removed, enabling the introduction of spot colours or other inks within seconds. In addition, the printer can also be configured to take a mix of bulk ink tanks and disposable ink cartridges, a facility which further increases the opportunity for design and image creativity, while still maintaining cost effective operation via the bulk ink supply solution.

The heart of the L400 system is an imaging module that creates a 5-centimetre print swath. Up to four of these can be stitched together to create a 20-centimetre swath or alternatively, up to four independent 5-centimetre print swaths can be imaged independently via the powerful FlexMail software supplied with the L400 printer.

The optional semi-automatic maintenance station, Domino M-Station, can be included with the L400 printer. When the print head is incorporated into the M-Station, it is automatically cleaned in controlled conditions. If the print head is then left in the station, it is automatically capped by the system. This solution is particularly useful when the L400 is used with faster drying inks such as the Domino AQ12, designed for coated stock, as improved maintenance practices are required for more efficient operation.

The L400 can be controlled by a Windows XP, PC based industry standard FlexMail thermal ink jet printer controller or for more advanced applications, including product tracking, verification and multiple position printing, the L400 can be managed by Domino's Editor GT, Windows XP based controller.

"Drupa 2008 is a key focus for Domino to reaffirm our commitment to delivering complete solutions for the commercial printing and mailing sectors – including variable addressing, sequential numbering, text barcodes and graphics at real-world production speeds," comments Philip Easton, Product Director of Commercial Print at Domino Printing Sciences plc. "The European launch of the L400 significantly extends the range of print personalisation services Domino provides to the mailing and bindery sectors, and gives printers real opportunities to add extra value to their print proposition."