24 systems evaluated for color control, ink consumption, repeatability, print speed, among many other factors

Alexandria, Virginia – The IDEAlliance Inkjet RoundUP is an independent third party technical evaluation of leading commercial roll to roll and flatbed, wide and grand format inkjet printing systems for the display graphics, signage and POP industries. The IDEAlliance Inkjet RoundUP explored the state-of-the-art as it relates to wide format signage printing. Eleven suppliers submitted twenty-four system configurations for evaluation. The results of this report offers existing users and prospective buyers critical business intelligence about the world’s leading wide format inkjet systems.

This report does not make recommendations on individual proprietary systems, but provides independent, un-biased, sound technical data on system performance and capabilities. IDEAlliance recommends the report be used to evaluate systems’ relevance to specific business requirements and priorities.

Systems were submitted by:

1. Agfa Graphics
2. CGS
3. Durst US
4. Electronics for Imaging (EFI)
5. EPSON America Inc
6. FUJIFILM
7. Hewlett Packard Company
8. Mimaki USA
9. Mutoh America Inc.
10. Océ Display Graphics Systems Inc.
11. Seiko Instruments USA, Inc.

Systems were evaluated in: 

1. Color Gamut
2. Color Management
3. Uniformity
4. Repeatability
5. Registration
6. Ink consumption
7. Print Speed
8. Rub Resistance
9. Weathering
10. System Price

Devices studied used light or eco solvent inks, UV-curable inks or latex ink. Media used ranges from card stock to cast or calendared vinyl to rigid media including Coroplast. Viewing distances for these products range from point-of-purchase to greater distances for street signs, banners and billboards. Testing was conducted under the direction of Lyndee Sing and Dr. Xiaoying Rong of California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly)."The study indicates there are some exciting products on the market with good color, good speed and good image qualities such as permanence and weatherability," said study director, Dr. Abhay Sharma, Ryerson University. "The ability of color management systems to control color and achieve target values is exceptional, with many dedicated RIP systems providing workflows to achieve accurate color and also verify that color to a print standard or in-house specification."Steve Bonoff, IDEAlliance Executive Vice President, commented, "IDEAlliance is proud to take a leadership role in the industry, serving as an independent resource for proven best practices and technology reviews. Evaluations of this type improves technologies, advances the industry, and grows opportunities for our members."

The first 200 copies of the results report are bound with actual test sheets submitted for evaluation. The report is available for purchase at http://www.idealliance.org/products/inkjet-roundup-results-report or by calling 703-837-1070.