Fujifilm launches Vybrant entry-level flatbed

Fujifilm is launching a new flatbed LED UV print system, the Vybrant UF10, which has been designed for printers looking for a cost-effective entry or capacity upgrade to flatbed printing with Fujifilm quality.

It is a flatbed printer offering high-quality printing on a range of rigid and flexible media, supported by its four dedicated vacuum zones. With speed performance that is suitable for print volumes typically up to 7500sqm per year, Fujifilm says this printer is ideal for businesses looking to enter or grow their flatbed capability at a cost-effective price point.

Fujifilm is well known for its high-end wide format print systems and is one of the dominant players in the market through its Acuity range. However, at the lower price point, a raft of new entrants are in the market from China and elsewhere, and while Fujifilm doesn't believe they have anywhere near the quality or service support to challenge its product – especially in developed countries like Australia and New Zealand – it does want to ensure that it has a product that meets the needs of the entry-level market, hence the development of the Vybrant UF10.

Tthe Vybrant UF10 can deliver print speeds up to 16sqm per hour in Production Mode and can be used to print on a variety of rigid and flexible media up to 51mm thick. Fujifilm’s Uvijet UV ink, combined with variable drop sizes from 7 to 21 picolitres, delivers what Fujifilm says are excellent results. Inkjet heads are Ricoh Gen 5. The ink can adhere to a range of media whilst having solvent resistance. According to Fujifilm the patented MicroV ink dispersion technology delivers consistent quality, reliability and a wide colour gamut. Fujifilm is making much of its ink as a differentiator from models coming into the market, citing its ink reliability, ink performance and ink application as key factors.

The Vybrant UF10 is available as a five-colour six channel printer, with CMYK and two white channels as standard. Fujifilm says it can print on any rigid or flexible media. It is also suitable for oddly shaped, heavy, smooth, or pre-cut media, unusual media such as canvas, wood, tile, glass, or objects, and images tiled over multiple large boards.

It offers edge-to-edge (full bleed) printing for rigid media or objects of any size up to 1.29m x 2.54m, with the standard bed-size of 1.25m x 2.54m. It will handle flexible and rigid media up to 51 mm thick. It will enable last-minute adjustments at the printer, like cropping, mirroring, has four dedicated vacuum zones to minimise masking, with the high-pressure vacuum system for reliable media hold down during printing.

It also offers the ability to switch between rigid and flexible media without any machine preparation, even overnight, and there is an anti-static bar for active suppression of static electricity when printing on hard plastics, materials such as acrylic, polycarbonate, and styrene.

The Vybrant UF10 has an instant-on capability due to the LED cure UV curing system, which will be appreciated by entry level businesses who do not print all day, and results in reduction of power consumption. A new Uvijet HK UV ink is optimised for LED curing. Fujifilm says ink consumption is low, citing CMYK printing from less than 8 ml per sqm.

Fujifilm says it offers superior adhesion and ink functionality over the broadest media range, saying it produces sellable prints at higher print speeds than most low-volume printers can achieve.

For the many print businesses who are looking at adding new revenue stream, flatbed wide format printing offers plenty of upside, although systems are typically priced way above roll to roll printers. This new entry-level printer from Fujifilm may well provide the opportunity to get into the market for a lower than expected capex while still offering Fujifilm quality product to the customers.