Innovation in UV printing is also coming from Oce North America, a Canon Group Company. “UV printers continue to push the envelope, delivering higher print quality, greater productivity and lower prices,” says Randy Paar, display graphics marketing manager with Oce North America. “We continually introduce improvements in image quality, application versatility and ease-of-use.”

The line-up of Océ Arizona Series includes five models, all designed as true flatbed systems. They can print on a wide variety of rigid substrates up to two inches thick.

Each uses a vacuum system to hold media stationary on a flat surface, assuring accurate registration even on multiple imaging passes. Full bleeds can be printed, saving time and labor costs in finishing.

All Océ Arizona Series printers include Océ VariaDot imaging technology for high-quality output. The technology does not require “light” colors to achieve high image quality and thus uses less than half the ink of many competitive systems. The Roll Media Option gives users the ability to print onto flexible media, including vinyl, self-adhesive vinyl, scrim banner, paper and blue-backed paper without compromising the rigid printing workflow.

Not to be outdone, Agfa Graphics has launched this year the Leopard, a product that fits the :M-Press family. “It fits those production needs from 50 to 100 four-by-eight sheets an hour,” D'Amico says. “That's perfect for those who need that production speed and range.”

What's Ahead?

A number of improvements in ink are certain to arrive in the years ahead, allowing for printing on more and more substrates and with greater adhesion and ink flexibility, Gasch says. He also foresees improvements in productivity, and that productivity gains will come from better integration with input and finishing devices.

Adds Cain, who earlier noted the greater competition in UV printers: “You see a lot more technology advancement when you have more players in the space.”