Mutoh
Tomahawk is a new name for the old Mutoh Albatros, a solvent
ink printer. Mutoh itself labels this as the Mutoh PJ-1304NX
in Europe and Asia. The purpose of solvent inks (and oil-based
inks) is that you can print on untreated substrates which
are less expensive than the coated media needed for normal
inkjet printers.
As
soon as we obtain information on the new Mutoh Tomahawk we
will report everything that we find. Mutoh itself rarely exhibits
at trade shows. Their web site lacks adequate information.
Thus until we find a sign shop that has this printer in use,
or until we see it at a trade show, we can offer the comprehensive
FLAAR report on solvent-based ink printers (in the list below).
At
long last I found a Mutoh solvent inkjet model at a trade
show, in Mumbai, India (Feb. 2001). Quality was unimpressive,
as typical of printers with Xaar piezo printheads. Similar
to output of Gerber Orion. Hopefully the Mutoh is faster,
since the Gerber
Orion is the slowest printer of its class. Then at CeBIT
trade show in Germany (March 2001) there was another Mutoh
PJ-1304NX. Banding terribly. Also, since solvent ink printers
are now (at last) banned in Europe unless they have filters
to get rid of the poison fumes, you have to buy the air system
which probably costs a bundle. Thus we recommend the Gretag
RasterGraphics Arizona Digital Screen Press. Much nicer
image, plus the Arizona is licensed for use in Europe. The
Arizona is an enclosed solvent ink system. Won't produce as
many fumes that are a hazard to the health of everyone in
the same building.
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.
Additional updates from winter 2005 onward are also being put into the FLAAR Report Series in PDF format and are available on www.wide-format-printers.NET.
