|
Introduction
to the Gerber Orion solvent ink printer, for printing with solvent-based
inks on vinyl for outdoor signs which don't need lamination
Our
first view of the Gerber Orion was at the SGIA sign trade show
in November, 2000. Gerber had just taken over this printer and
it was not quite ready. Since January 2001 the printer is in
production and available.
All
the trade magazines clearly specify the Gerber Orion as the
former ANAgraph
SpectrumJet, also known as the Arizona
30. ANAgraph itself has been purchased by Gretag and will
specialize in vinyl cutters and other products. Gerber will
sell and be responsible for the Gerber Orion.
The
Gerber Orion is a solvent based ink printer. This implies comparison
with other solvent based printers such as the Mutoh Tomahawk
(the renamed Mutoh
Albatross). Solvent-based ink printers have the advantage
of printing on economical materials such as vinyl. Signs printed
on vinyl with solvent based inks can hold up outside in the
sun and rain for at least three years with no lamination.
Solvent
based inks may require a vent. The inks have a noxious smell
though the inks used in the Gerber Orion are nowhere near as
unpleasant as those used in the grand format inkjet printers.
Solvent
based inks don't work in thermal printhead systems (such as
ColorSpan, Hewlett-Packard,
or Encad).
This means you don't get photo-realistic quality at close viewing
distances with any solvent based ink system (at least not yet).
Signs printed with solvent based inks are intended to be viewed
from far away, such as a billboard. At these distances you don't
notice the systematic banding which is characteristic of these
printers. I have yet to ascertain whether the banding is inherent
in Xaar printheads or the other piezo printheads. Banding is
a major defect in Epson piezo-electric printheads, most notably
in some Roland
printers.
Xaar
piezo printheads, as well as all printheads for grand format
printers (Gerber Orion is only 62" and hence not grand
format), can only achieve low dpi. Images are also sort of soft
focus. The banding seems to have a dark side and a light side.
Yet in a sign filled with intricate detail (known as a busy
scene) you do not notice the banding. Indeed at 10 foot viewing
distance you don't see the banding at all. Close up, however,
the image lacks precise detail and hence would seem inappropriate
for wallpaper or any signage where viewers come close.
The
Gerber Orion is solidly constructed. This I had an opportunity
to notice when visiting the manufacturing plant. Overall this
is the most basic printer I have yet seen. There is not very
much on this printer that could go wrong. We don't yet have
any end-user reports but the fewer gizmos that a printer has,
the less can go wrong with it. The Gerber Orion is gizmo-less.
This is how they get the price lower than other solvent ink
printers. I gather the list price is in the $40,000 range.
Be
sure to consider the following factors when you decide on
a printer for signs, namely speed. If you earn your living
by mass production of signage you will need a printer that
can produce lots of material quickly. This is not the intended
market for this printer. The Gerber Orion is an entry level
solvent ink printer.
Since
it has Xaar heads it would seem its native resolution is 360
dpi. I saw 720 dpi in the brochure but it was not labeled
as "apparant resolution." I will have to check on
that. I have not yet seen any image from a Xaar printhead
that is true 720 dpi, but then again, Epson's native resolution
is 720 and they accomplish an apparant resolution of 1440.
Apparent resolution on Epson and thermal printhead machines,
however, are acceptable because of the lack of banding defects
at these higher resolutions. Xaar printheads can not yet achieve
such detail. Xaar printheads are basic workhorse technology
but for images to be viewed from a distance, such as billboards.
No
matter which brand of printer you are considering for your
signs, this is your hard-earned money you are about to invest.
You should consider asking for one of the FLAAR reports on
sign printers before you make your decision. We have read
the brochures of many of these printers and submit the advertising
claims to the real-world test of reality. So if you wish a
reality-check to find out what some of the printers can really
do, just ask for any of the FLAAR reports; they are available
at no cost.
For
additional information and for help making your
decision, ask for the "FLAAR report on
signs, posters, banners" (specify whether for
indoor signs or outdoor signs in the rain and sun)
or for the FLAAR report on "Piezo vs Thermal
printheads, fact vs fiction, pros and cons of each
kind of inkjet printhead." You can also ask for
the report on "Media and Inks for Photo-Realistic
and Fine Art Giclee," or "Media and Inks
for Sign Printing with Large Format Inkjet."
If
this will be your first printer, then we have a special
report that holds your hand and leads you through
all the basic questions that will assist a first-time
buyer of a large format printer. Purchase the FLAAR
report on "RIP
+ Help." This explains what RIP software
is, why this is useful, and includes tips, warnings,
information, and help for a wide range of matters
for a newbie. Here you will really appreciate that
FLAAR is based at a university; Professor Hellmuth
has plenty of experience writing in a manner that
explains what you need, and why.
|
|
|
|
All reports by Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth |
|
