There is big news from Fujifilm, which has just pulled the curtain back on two new printers. The Acuity HD 2504 flatbed printer and the Vybrant line of solvent printers are at the forefront of its march into the wide-format market. The Acuity is a UV device with a new print head technology that produces variable-sized dots—from 6 picolitres to 30 picolitres, which Fujifilm says produces a sharper image with smoother transitions. The Acuity uses a zoned vacuum table to secure its media, and is designed to be used with Fujifilm Sericol Uvijet inks. The Vybrant printers are being offered as high-speed roll-to-roll devices for media ranging in thickness from 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm. The three launch models—the 1906, 2606 and 3606—handle widths of 76", 102" and 130" respectively. Fujifilm has installed two heating elements to cut down on startup time, and says the devices can run at speeds of up to 800 sq. ft. per hour at 360 dpi..
Contact: www.fujigraphics.com/en/

EFI has released version 3.1 of its Colorproof XF proofing and large-format production solution. The new version allows the XF server to run on a Mac OS X platform, features a new dot creator option for screening contone information, and better integration between the XF workflow and Fiery-driven devices.
Contact: www.efi.com

The Printing Industries Association has published the second edition of A. John Geis’ Printing Plant Layout and Facility Design. The illustrated book is available at the PIA website, and is offered as a reference to printing plant design and expansion.
Contact: www.gain.net

Corrugated converters with large plate needs may want to consider Esko’s new CDI Spark 5080 flexo platesetter. It runs digital plates up to 50" by 80" and 7.35mm thick. It will image full- or partial-format plates, or ablative film of any size specification. When paired with the Optics 80 laser system, Esko claims the setter can image a 2,540 dpi plate in 19 minutes. The device also uses an air-supported loading table to assist with loading and unloading.
Contact: www.esko.com

Colour system supplier Pantone has just released its Inspiration 2007 line—56 new colours for brand managers and designers. Formulated for offset printing, the set is divided into eight palettes—Simply Elegant, Classic Chic, Lumens, Mélange, Aux Naturale, Grass Roots, Fresh Air and Light Touch. The sets have seven colours apiece and are based on the company’s annual study in home furnishing trends.
Contact: www.pantone.com

HP has been making strides to up its visibility among the fine art crowd, and the Designjet Z6100 is its latest offering for the photography/artist set. Hot on the heels of the Z-series 2100 and 3100, the 6100 comes in 42" and 60" models touting run speeds over 1,000 sq. ft. per hour on plain paper and 250 sq. ft. per hour on photo media. It uses eight pigment inks from HP’s Vivera line, including three black tones (matte, photo and light grey). The device also uses a new paper sensor, the Optical Media Advance, for paper advance control that the company says will reduce banding at higher run speeds. The 6100 also uses the new HP 91 printhead, which fires drops as fine as 4 and 6 picolitres.
Contact: www.hp.com

Océ has overclocked its VarioStream 9000 printer, producing a version it says is 60% faster than the previous model. The new 9000 now prints black-only pages at a rate of 1,350 per minute while maintaining its benchmark output speeds for 2-up and 3-up formats. A “Graphic Arts Plus” mode also is available at regular run speeds to increase image quality. The printer still uses Océ’s Colour on Demand technology—a duplex, single-pass black and white application method.
Contact: www.oce.com

The AR9000 is a new high-speed envelope feeder from RISO, Inc. It is designed for use with RISO’s MZ790, RZ990 and RZ590 printer duplicators. It can print envelopes and card stock at 140 to 180 prints per minute and accommodate sizes ranging from 3.5" x 5.5" to 10" x 13" and paper stocks from 20 lb. bond envelopes to 110 lb. index cards.
Contact: www.us.riso.com