Océ has announced the new Océ Arizona 318 GL printer, a highly-capable introductory UV flatbed model that offers smaller print producers entrance to the world of award-winning, high-quality UV flatbed printing. The Océ Arizona 318 GL printer makes its worldwide debut at the FESPA Digital 2012 exhibition in Barcelona, February 21-24, 2012. It will make its US debut at the International Sign Expo in Orlando, March 22-24, 2012.
Popular UV Flatbed Printer Series
According to IT Strategies, a Hanover, MA industry research firm, the Océ Arizona product range (including Océ Arizona Series printers and FUJIFILM Acuity printers) has the leading installed base of printers in the <$200,000 UV Flatbed category. Since the first shipment of an Océ Arizona Series printer in 2007, nearly 3,000 systems built on this platform have been shipped to date.
"The popularity of the Océ Arizona Series in the market is validation of the benefits and opportunities it provides to our customers," said Attilio Mainoli, CEO of Océ Display Graphics Systems. "The Océ Arizona 318 GL model gives smaller shops – those that thought they couldn't afford an Océ Arizona model – the same application versatility as our other Océ Arizona models at an affordable price point."
Affordable Flatbed Printing
The Océ Arizona 318 GL printer delivers quality printing on the same robust platform as the Océ Arizona 360 GT printer at a price positioned for low-volume production environments – while delivering the same application versatility. The Océ Arizona 318 GL printer is available fully installed and operational for less than $100,000. (Note: Dollar amount includes Océ Arizona 318 GL printer with standard features, delivery, installation and starter kit. Other options, software and accessories are available at additional cost.) It is ideal for sign makers, smaller print providers, reprographers and other graphics producers that need true flatbed quality and capability but cannot afford a large capital investment.
"For quite some time, we have been looking for a UV curable, rigid substrate printer to sell as an introductory model," said Jamie Powers, Digital Specialist with Reece Supply, a distributor of Océ Arizona Series printers in the U.S. "Nothing that I have seen to date could provide the quality at a price point that I felt the small and mid-size sign shops need in order to compete with the larger print providers. After seeing the Océ Arizona 318 GL printer in action, I am glad to say we have finally found the printer I have been looking for. The overall image quality, speed and options you get for the price will make the Océ Arizona 318 GL printer a big hit."
With the Océ Arizona 318 GL printer, print providers can produce sellable output with print speeds of up to 194 square feet per hour in Express Mode, producing more than twenty 2- by 3-foot boards per hour.
In addition to the lower price-point, value-priced ONYX PosterShop X10 Océ Edition software is available to drive the printer. ONYX PosterShop software increases productivity by giving users flexible control over their workflow. It includes advanced and custom nesting tools for maximum media savings as well as a white ink tool for fast job preparation.
True Flatbed Enables a Versatile Range of Applications
The Océ Arizona 318 GL printer can print on rigid media up to 49.2 inches wide by 98.4 inches long and up to 1.89 inches thick. The true flatbed design holds media stationary on a flatbed vacuum table assuring registration. The true flatbed architecture allows for edge-to-edge printing (full bleed), the printing of multiple boards simultaneously, registered double-sided prints and the printing of large displays tiled over several boards – all applications that are difficult to produce on printers that move the media through the printing system. This true flatbed architecture enables printing on irregularly-shaped or non-square items, heavy substrates, unusually smooth media such as glass, or materials that have an uneven surface such as plywood or framed canvas.
Options Increase Flexibility
An available factory-installed White Ink Option enables under-printing for non-white media or objects, over-printing for backlit applications on transparent media and printing white as a spot color. The White Ink Option provides potential high-value, high margin application opportunities, and, since 2008, more than 90 percent of Océ Arizona printer purchasers have selected this option for their printer.
A Roll Media Option is also available, giving print providers 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. Entire campaigns – including rigid signs, banners and posters – can be created on one printer, ensuring quality and consistency across all printed items.
A Real Océ Arizona Printer in Every Way
Like all Océ Arizona Series printers, the Océ Arizona 318 GL printer includes Océ VariaDot® imaging technology for award-winning, high-quality output. Océ VariaDot technology does not require "light" colors to achieve high image quality and as a result uses significantly less ink – less than half that of many competitive systems.
The Océ Arizona 318 GL printer includes a UV curing system designed by Océ that provides more UV energy to support difficult-to-cure media, while reducing heat at the media surface. It also features a new-style tabletop that allows very thin media to be printed directly on the table without mechanical distortion of the media into the vacuum holes.
Highly Honored UV Flatbed Printer Series
All Océ Arizona Series printers – including the new Océ Arizona 318 GL model – share the same award-winning image quality and robust architecture, offering the Océ values of quality, reliability, productivity and user-friendliness. In all, Océ Arizona Series UV flatbed printers have earned 27 industry awards to date from organizations throughout the world. These awards validate the quality and innovation built into every Océ Arizona Series printer.