Vutek
UltaVu 2360 SC six color digital press
Midrange
solvent inkjet printers get better with each generation. The
Vutek UltraVu 2360 SC has now achieved 360 dpi with six colors
in an 80 inch printer.
This
width is halfway between a grand format and simply an oversized
large format printer (which go to 72" with the ColorSpan
DisplayMaker 12). The newer Gretag
Arizona offers 110 inches, the new Vutek 80 inches.
FLAAR
is preparing to establish a larger printer evaluation center
at a state university. We will gradually move our coverage
to include more about solvent ink, UV curable ink, and thermal
transfer printers. Only when a printer is accessible for systematic
testing can we really provide documentation. Until that time
we can depend solely on eyeball analysis at trade shows, end-user
appraisals, and scrutiny of the advertising claims.
This
printer is advertised as for posters, fleet graphics, transit
bus wraps and shelters, tradeshow graphics, banners, point-of-purchase,
airport advertising and telephone kiosks. Yet nowhere are
billboards or building wrap mentioned. That is the realm of
true grand format printers, the strength of the other larger
Vutek models. This new model seems aimed downscale at whole
other markets.
For
fleet graphics, transit bus wraps, and banners that are far
way, then 360 dpi is okay. But not for bus shelters. The backlit
aspect highlights the defects of the banding and grainy dot
pattern.
Same
with airport advertising, since most are backlit. Telephone
kiosks would be worse, since you are eyeball to eyeball, and
you don't need an 80 inch printer to do those.
You
don't need solvent inks for all airport advertising and definitely
not for trade show graphics. Many banners and especially POP,
hardly need solvent ink either.
Conclusion:
Vutek is the more innovative of the solvent ink companies.
Gretag, however, has staked out the midrange solvent ink market
with their Arizona and Bellise. Gretag is now invading the
grand format world with its new 110 inch printer. Vutek in
turn is moving into Gretag's territory.
Competition
is good for everyone, but I would think twice about using
a 360 dpi solvent ink printer on the majority of items for
which this printer is advertised. A ColorSpan would be vastly
superior quality. The Vutek ad states..."the printer
of choice for high quality."
Yes,
high quality for low-dpi solvent ink printers. Anything in
that realm is high quality when it's not streaky, banded,
splotchy, and dotty. However it will take another generation
of printers for Vutek to reach that quality. Arizona is very
close. Within 2 years they will all be even closer.
We
would want to utilize this printer ourselves, to see what
kind of quality can be tweaked from it. Perhaps we might surprise
ourselves. But from the specs alone, 360 dpi, and piezo printheads
with solvent inks, that combo spells low quality. You already
have the Arizona at one end of the spectrum and ColorSpan
at the other end. ColorSpan is currently using the older HP
printheads. Imagine the speed and quality of the ColorSpan
when they incorporate HP's new wide-path thermal printheads,
12-printheads wide, three x CMYK. There is speed and quality
together.
Vutek
is to be commended for having vision. They recognize the key
markets. Coming from the world of 75 dpi airbrush printers,
then 360 dpi looks great. But when you are coming from the
4000 dpi world of Cymbolic Sciences LightJet, then the only
inkjet printers which are acceptable as photo-realistic are
ColorSpan or the new HP 5000ps. 360 dpi is not acceptable
for a label as "quality." Epson and Roland are also
photo-realistic, but are much too slow to be serious contenders
in the outdoor sign market.
Speed
is a different factor. High speed mode is usually unrealistic
and none of the claimed advertised markets for this printer
could accept a high speed mode print. The claimed markets
would barely be covered by the slowest mode. Of course that
alone is a considerable speed compared with normal-sized inkjets.
Eventually
this printer will find a niche. Vutek has a respectable name.
But the advertising claims have yet to be documented that
POP or airport advertising would be as attractive from any
solvent ink printer. It will come, but in two years' worth
of subsequent generations of printers. And surely it will
be Vutek leading the way.
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ANSWERS
TO MANY OF YOUR PRINTER QUESTIONS
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Nicholas
Hellmuth's thematic reports on large format printers
for outdoor signage now available
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discussion
of large format printers for outdoor signs, banners,
billboards, building wrap: lists of all the main solvent
ink and oil-based ink printers along with thermal transfer
printers which can be used outdoors with no lamination.
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Reviews
of large format printers most appropriate for signs,
posters, banners including POP, primarily for indoor
signage: HP, Encad, and more
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large
format printers appropriate for use in printing vehicle
graphics, bus wrap and comparable outdoor use.
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Media
and inks for signs, posters, banners (for all printers,
piezo as well as thermal inkjets, media for indoor as
well as outdoor without lamination)
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quick-start
help, list of the best RIPs; hints for what accessories
you need; list of where you can get books and training
on digital imaging.
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You can ask for one thematic report
and two trade show reports at no cost
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We
do NOT cover: software headaches, obsolete equipment,
installation, color matching or problems caused by prior
mistakes.
Our
job is to save you from buying the wrong equipment by
alerting you to advertising hype and help you avoid
as many of the common pitfalls as possible. We even
have a pithy report on "what to watch out for....guide
for first-time buyers" when you suspect someone
is making up claims in the hopes of luring you into
buying their printer. Includes frank assessment of exaggerated
longevity claims and gives lots of helpful tips and
insight.
Some
of the ads are so misleading that even pros are lured
to buy an inadequate printer. So no matter what your
experience level, you will find these reports informative.
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To
receive your report just fill out the easy provisional
inquiry form (or just do it in your own words until
we create a structured auto-response system). Yes, a
live human being actually reads your e-mail,
and will answer within 3 to 5 days. If you don't get
your reports, please send a reminder. There is no cost.
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All
reports are appropriate for beginners, intermediate,
hobby as well as graphics professional level
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| All
reports by Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth
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UPDATED:
August 02/2001
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